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Starting May 4, 2026, Ukrainian citizens under temporary protection in Poland can apply for a CUKR residence card. It is issued for three years and allows you to transition from UKR status to a temporary residence permit that is not tied to a specific employer.
Important: CUKR is not an extension of PESEL UKR. Once the card is issued, your status changes from UKR to CUKR, and you become a holder of a temporary residence permit in Poland.
For an adult applicant, the following conditions must be met simultaneously:
Continuity matters. If a person has lost their UKR status, for example after a long absence from Poland, and later regained it, the separate periods are not added together.
There are separate rules for children born in Poland after February 23, 2022. The child must have a PESEL UKR, and their mother must have a CUKR card.
No. Having a job is not a mandatory requirement. You do not need to confirm employment with a specific employer or obtain a work permit.
Once you receive CUKR, you gain free access to the Polish labor market. This is convenient for those who plan to change jobs and do not want to tie their legal status to a single employer.
Applications are submitted only online via the government portal Moduł Obsługi Spraw, or MOS.
To apply, you must:
The system verifies the applicant's data against government registers. These must contain up-to-date passport details, as well as fingerprints and a signature sample, if required.
The cost of the procedure is 440 PLN: 340 PLN for the administrative fee and 100 PLN for the card production.
You can submit your application until March 4, 2027.
The CUKR card is valid for three years and allows you to legally live and work in Poland without needing an additional work permit.
With a valid card and passport, you can travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
The period of residence under CUKR is also taken into account when calculating the time required to obtain EU long-term resident status in the future.
There is also a difference in the rules for leaving the country. UKR status may be lost after staying outside Poland for more than 30 days. In the case of CUKR, the permit is terminated if you leave Poland for more than six months.
Once the card is issued UKR status is terminated. Along with this, a person may lose certain rights specifically associated with temporary protection, such as the right to free accommodation and meals in collective accommodation centers.
However, certain social benefits may be retained if the person meets the conditions for receiving them on other grounds.
You must notify the Voivode of any change of address within 15 working days.
It is important to collect your card on time. If it is not picked up within 60 days of being notified that it is ready, the document may be cancelled.
Yes, provided the person still has a valid PESEL UKR and meets the program requirements.
However, after submitting a CUKR application, the proceedings for a standard temporary residence and work permit may be discontinued. Therefore, it is worth carefully checking that all conditions are met before applying.
If a person has already received a standard residence card and consequently lost their UKR status, they will not be able to apply for CUKR.
CUKR is primarily suitable for those who plan to live and work in Poland for a longer period and want to transition from temporary protection to a more long-term residence permit.
Before submitting an application, you should check the validity of your PESEL UKR, your status history, passport details, and whether you have a Profil Zaufany.
WorqOn helps foreigners navigate the complexities of legalizing their stay and employment in Poland.If you are unsure whether you meet the CUKR requirements, it is best to verify your documents before submitting your application.
