Poland to allow Ukrainian refugees to switch to temporary residence

Poland will allow Ukrainian refugees to convert their temporary protection status into temporary residence, the government has announced. 

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Maciej Duszyk told Polish Radio that refugees would be treated the same as other foreign residents, and that the government is encouraging Ukrainians currently under temporary protection to change their status, taking into account factors such as education and labour market needs.

He said the new system would be available in January or, at the latest, early February.

Duszyk outlined that the procedure for changing status would involve registration in a special online information system. Applicants would enter their details on the website and complete a short form, which would automatically be forwarded to provincial authorities.

Authorities would verify the data and, if everything matched, invite the applicant to provide fingerprints and issue a three-year residence permit.

The government also plans to gradually phase out temporary benefits and assistance for Ukrainian refugees, who currently number nearly one million in Poland, mostly women and children, under the country’s temporary protection scheme.

By Sabina Mammadli