With the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, Poland became one of the first countries to open its doors to millions of Ukrainian refugees. At this critical moment, Poland showed impressive solidarity, not only providing temporary shelter, but also facilitating the legalization of their stay. However, time is running out and the situation calls for more structured decisions regarding the status of these refugees. That is why a new special residence permit called CUKR (Karta Czasowego Uznaniowego Pobytu) comes to the fore, which aims to provide legal status for Ukrainians in Poland for a longer period.
Since the adoption of changes to the special legislation of Poland, Ukrainian refugees have been waiting for the opportunity to issue a CUKR Card. This is an important step that will allow them to legalize their stay in the country for three years, providing access to most of the rights and opportunities enjoyed by other foreigners living in Poland on the basis of ordinary residence permits. At the same time, the Polish government is introducing a simplified procedure for obtaining this document, which takes into account the UKR status that Ukrainians previously had. About this reported in the Office of Foreigners in Poland.
Details of the process and criteria for obtaining a CUKR card
Despite the fact that the changes in the Special Law have already entered into force on July 1, 2024, Ukrainian refugees will be able to apply for a CUKR Card only from 2025. Applications will be accepted through a new online service, which should make the process easier for many applicants.
The CUKR card will become available to those who meet certain criteria, including:
- Individuals who had active UKR status as of March 4, 2024.
- Those who have UKR status at the time of submission of documents.
- Those who have continuously had active UKR status for at least 365 days.
These criteria were determined taking into account the specifics of the situation of Ukrainian refugees and the need to ensure the legal stability of their stay in Poland. It is also important to note that not only adults, but also children will be able to obtain CUKR, which will provide them with equal rights with other foreigners residing in the country on the basis of regular permits.
Data updates and additional requirements
According to the requirements of a special law, all Ukrainian refugees must update their data in local administrations. In particular, it will be necessary to provide the data of the foreign passport. This is part of a wider legalization process that will help make it easier to obtain residence permits later on.
The CUKR card allows you to legalize your stay in Poland for three years. This gives Ukrainian refugees considerable time to adapt, integrate into Polish society and build a new life in a new country. At the same time, this document provides the right to employment, access to health services and education, which is important for successful integration.
The introduction of the CUKR Card is an important step in solving the legal status of Ukrainian refugees in Poland. This decision demonstrates Poland’s willingness to provide adequate conditions for those who were forced to leave their country due to the war. Although the process of obtaining this card will not officially begin until 2025, it is important to be aware of all the requirements and criteria now to prepare for this step. Poland continues its support for the Ukrainian people, providing not only temporary shelter, but also creating conditions for long-term integration and social stability.
