Ukrainian refugees looking for support and stability have found a strong ally in Poland. In light of the war and geopolitical upheavals, Poland demonstrates not only humanity, but also pragmatism in its assistance to Ukrainians. One of the important support mechanisms is the Pole card program, which opens up significant opportunities for citizens of Ukraine and other countries with Polish roots. The importance of this initiative cannot be overstated, as it not only promotes integration, but also provides legal and social guarantees, which are especially important for those who have been forced to leave their homes due to war.
The history and dynamics of issuing a Pole’s card
For more than 15 years of existence of the law on the card of a Pole, Poland has issued 77,790 such documents to citizens of Ukraine. About this reported in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland. In particular, after the start of the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, more than 17 thousand cards were issued, which is about 22% of the total number. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, interest in obtaining a Polish card remains consistently high among Ukrainians and citizens of other countries of the former USSR.
“From 2008 to October 29, 2024, 77,790 Polish cards were issued to Ukrainian citizens. At the same time, 2,517 people were denied a Polish card,” – informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Despite external factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which temporarily affected the dynamics of issuing cards, the program continues to actively develop. For example, in 2023, the number of Polish cards issued to Ukrainians increased to 8,000 compared to 4,000 in 2022. As of October 2024, almost 5,500 such documents have already been issued to Ukrainian citizens.
The role of the map of the Pole in the context of the war
The war significantly increased Ukrainians’ need for stability and legal mechanisms for integration. The Pole card provides its holders with a number of privileges, including:
- the possibility of legal employment in Poland;
- access to social guarantees and education;
- the right to permanent residence and registration of Polish citizenship under a simplified procedure.
These opportunities are extremely important for people who have lost everything due to war and are seeking safe haven abroad.
In addition to citizens of Ukraine, the Polish card is actively received by Belarusians, who were issued more than 100,000 such documents, in particular, almost 40% after the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine. More than 6,000 cards were also issued to citizens of Russia, 5,000 to citizens of Lithuania, and more than 2,000 to citizens of Kazakhstan.
Challenges and prospects
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland recognized that the political situation, especially in Russia and Belarus, creates new challenges in the implementation of the program. In particular, there is a growing need to amend the law on the Pole’s card in view of the country’s national security. However, despite these difficulties, Poland continues to be an important partner for Ukrainians in their quest for stability and integration.
The Pole Map is a strong example of how legal instruments can provide support and stability for refugees and displaced persons. Poland, which received hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians after the start of the war, not only demonstrates its solidarity, but also creates conditions for their integration and development. This partnership between the Ukrainian people and Poland is a vivid example of international cooperation in the face of global challenges.
