Polish documents issued to foreigners

You should apply for a Polish travel document if you have lost your travel document or if your travel document has been destroyed or has expired and you are unable to obtain a new one. You can apply for a Polish travel document if you have a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident’s residence permit, subsidiary protection, a residence permit for humanitarian reasons.

The application on behalf of a minor foreigner is submitted by the parents or court-appointed guardians, or by one of the parents or one of the court-appointed guardians.

When should I apply for the exchange of a Polish travel document

You replace a Polish travel document for a foreigner if:

• the data included in the current document changes, e.g. your name, registered address;
• your appearance will change to such an extent that the photograph placed in the existing document will not allow you to be identified;
• you have lost your current document;
• the previous document has been damaged;

You submit an application for replacement of a Polish travel document, within 14 days from the occurrence of the above-mentioned circumstances. The application on behalf of a minor foreigner is submitted by the parents or court-appointed guardians, or one of the parents or one of the court-appointed guardians.

Documents needed:

• application for the issuance/replacement of a Polish travel document for a foreigner in 1 copy, completed in accordance with the instructions (downloadable application). You can also download the application form at any of our facilities
• a current photograph
• a document confirming your identity (you are exempt from the obligation to submit a valid travel document or a document confirming your identity when you have a certificate that you are a victim of human trafficking and, due to special circumstances, you do not have such a document and do not have the possibility to obtain it);
• documents necessary to confirm the data and circumstances given in the application (e.g., documents confirming that you are unable to obtain a travel document of your country of origin, documents confirming your status as a stateless person, a decision on granting subsidiary protection in the territory of Poland or a residence permit for humanitarian reasons);
• confirmation of registration for permanent or temporary residence

You will also need confirmation that you have paid for the issuance of the document to start the proceedings.

You should apply for a temporary Polish travel document if you do not have a travel document and are unable to obtain a new one, and you intend to leave the territory of Poland or have been obliged to leave the territory. You can apply for a temporary Polish travel document if you have a permanent residence permit, a residence permit for a long-term EU resident, subsidiary protection, a residence permit for humanitarian reasons or have refugee status.

The application on behalf of a minor foreigner is submitted by the parents or court-appointed guardians, or by one of the parents or one of the court-appointed guardians.

Documents needed:

• application for the issuance of a temporary Polish travel document for a foreigner in 1 copy, completed in accordance with the instructions (downloadable application). You can also download the application form at any of our facilities
• a current photograph
• documents necessary to confirm the data and circumstances given in the application (e.g., documents confirming the inability to obtain a travel document of the country of origin, documents confirming the status of a stateless person, a decision on granting supplementary protection on the territory of Poland or a residence permit for humanitarian reasons);
• confirmation of registration for permanent or temporary residence

You will also need confirmation that you have paid for the issuance of the document to start the proceedings.

A temporary Polish travel document for a foreigner is issued

• in the Republic of Poland – by the voivode in charge of your place of residence
• in case you are obliged to leave the territory of the Republic of Poland – by the commander of the Border Guard post

Temporary Polish travel document for a foreigner is valid for the period specified therein, but no longer than 7 days, and during its validity period it entitles you to leave the territory of Poland.

You should apply for a Polish identity document for a foreigner if:

• you are staying on the territory of the Republic of Poland and have no citizenship, if the interests of the Republic of Poland warrant it.
• you are a victim of human trafficking

The application should be submitted for a minor foreigner, born in the territory of the Republic of Poland and residing in this territory without parental care, if the interests of the Republic of Poland and the welfare of the child do not oppose it. The application on behalf of a minor foreigner is submitted by the guardians appointed by the court or one of the guardians appointed by the court.

Polish identity document of a foreigner you replace if:

• the data included in the current document changes, e.g. your name, registered address;
• your appearance will change to such an extent that the photograph placed in the current document will not allow you to be identified;
• you have lost your current document;
• your previous document has been damaged;

You submit an application for replacement of a Polish identity document, within 14 days from the occurrence of the above-mentioned circumstances. The application on behalf of a minor foreigner is submitted by the parents or court-appointed guardians, or one of the parents or one of the court-appointed guardians.

Documents needed:

• application for the issuance/replacement of a Polish identity document of a foreigner in 1 copy, completed in accordance with the instructions (application to download). You can also download the application form at any of our facilities
• current photograph
• a document confirming your identity (you are exempt from the obligation to submit a valid travel document or a document confirming your identity if you have a certificate that you are a victim of human trafficking and, due to special circumstances, you do not have such a document and do not have the possibility to obtain it);
• documents necessary to confirm the data and circumstances stated in the application (e.g., documents confirming that you are unable to obtain a travel document of your country of origin, documents confirming your status as a stateless person, a decision on granting subsidiary protection in the territory of Poland or a residence permit for humanitarian reasons);
• confirmation of registration for permanent or temporary residence

You will also need confirmation that you have paid for the issuance of the document to start the proceedings. A Polish identity document is issued by the voivode in charge of your place of residence. If you are denied a Polish identity document you will receive a decision. Polish identity document for foreigners is issued for a period of 1 year, confirms only your identity, does not confirm citizenship and does not authorize you to cross the border. This document does not legalize your stay in Poland, i.e. obtain a visa, a temporary residence permit, a permanent residence permit or a residence permit for a long-term EU resident