1. Seeking Employment
The researcher wants additional time to find suitable professional employment in Poland.
🇵🇱 Poland
Post-Research Residence
Stay in Poland After Completing Your Research
← Back to Poland
Poland provides a dedicated post-research residence pathway for qualifying third-country nationals and stateless persons who have completed scientific research or development work in Poland.
The permit allows eligible researchers to remain in Poland after completing their research for the purpose of Seeking Employment or Preparing to Conduct Business Activity.
The permit is granted once, for a period of 9 months.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists international researchers in planning their transition from scientific research to employment, highly qualified work or entrepreneurship in Poland.
What is Post-Research Residence?
The official Polish pathway is a Temporary Residence Permit Due to Other Circumstances, granted after completion of scientific research or development work.
Its purpose is to allow qualifying international researchers to continue residing in Poland while they search for employment or prepare to start business activity.
Who Can Qualify?
The pathway is designed for qualifying:
- Third-Country Nationals
- Stateless Persons
The applicant must have completed scientific research or development work in Poland.
Previous Researcher Status
At the time of application, the applicant must generally be legally residing in Poland on the basis of Temporary Residence for the Purpose of Conducting Scientific Research.
The applicant must have completed the scientific research or development work for which that residence permit was granted.
This is not a general job-seeker visa available to anyone with a scientific qualification. It is specifically connected with qualifying research or development work completed in Poland under the applicable researcher residence framework.
Two Possible Purposes
The applicant must genuinely intend to remain in Poland for one of two principal purposes:
2. Preparing Business Activity
The researcher intends to prepare to establish or conduct business activity in Poland.
9-Month Residence, Granted Once
The Post-Research Residence Permit is granted for 9 months.
The permit is granted once. It cannot simply be renewed for another nine-month period.
Before the nine-month permit expires, the researcher must qualify for another residence basis if they wish to continue living in Poland.
9 Months, Granted Once
Application Timing
Timing is extremely important. The application must be submitted immediately after completion of the scientific research or development work, while the applicant is still legally residing in Poland under the qualifying researcher residence status.
The application for this specific Post-Research Residence Permit cannot be submitted from abroad.
If the researcher leaves Poland after completing the research without properly applying for this residence pathway, they can lose the opportunity to obtain this specific permit. The transition should therefore be planned before the researcher's existing legal residence ends.
Proof of Completed Research
The applicant must provide documentation issued by the scientific institution in Poland confirming completion of Scientific Research or Development Work.
The institution should be the institution where the qualifying research or development activity was conducted.
Job Seeking
Where the applicant intends to seek employment, they should demonstrate genuine job-search activity.
- Registration of a CV on Recruitment Platforms
- Job Applications
- Communication With Potential Employers
- Interviews
- Recruitment Correspondence
- Other Evidence of Active Job Seeking
This distinction is extremely important: if the researcher has already started working or already found an employer ready to hire them, the Post-Research Residence Permit for job seeking will generally not be granted. The applicant should instead assess the appropriate Employment-Based Residence Permit.
Example
A researcher completes a two-year scientific project in Warsaw. The researcher wants to remain in Poland but has not yet found an employer.
The researcher submits the Post-Research Residence application immediately after completing the project while still legally residing in Poland under the qualifying researcher permit.
The researcher may potentially receive 9 months to search for employment.
From Research to Employment
Once the researcher finds qualifying employment, the appropriate employment residence pathway should be assessed. Depending on the circumstances, this can include:
- Temporary Residence & Work
- EU Blue Card
- Other Qualifying Employment Residence
From Research to EU Blue Card
Researchers frequently possess advanced professional qualifications. Where the researcher finds qualifying highly skilled employment and satisfies the applicable requirements, they may potentially transition to the EU Blue Card.
The Blue Card assessment can include:
- Professional Qualifications
- Employment Contract
- Employment Duration
- Salary Threshold
- Other Applicable Requirements
Business Preparation
The second major purpose of Post-Research Residence is Preparation to Conduct Business Activity.
This can be particularly relevant for researchers intending to commercialise:
- Scientific Research
- Technology
- Intellectual Property
- Software
- Medical Innovation
- Engineering Solutions
- Research-Based Products
Business Preparation Can Include
Depending on the circumstances:
- Developing a Business Plan
- Registering Business Activity
- Establishing a Company
- Preparing Financing
- Seeking Investors
- Developing Commercial Partnerships
- Market Research
- Preparing Commercialisation
- Intellectual Property Strategy
- Operational Planning
Proof of Business Intention
Evidence of genuine preparation can potentially include:
- Business Plan
- Business Registration
- Company Documentation
- Financing Documentation
- Commercial Agreements
- Other Actions Demonstrating Preparation to Start Business Activity
Registering a company does not automatically provide a new long-term residence right in Poland. Before the nine-month Post-Research Residence expires, the researcher must qualify for the appropriate future residence status.
From Researcher to Entrepreneur
- 01
Researcher Residence
Legal residence in Poland for the purpose of conducting scientific research.
- 02
Completion of Research
The scientific research or development work is completed.
- 03
9-Month Post-Research Residence
A one-time 9-month permit is obtained to seek employment or prepare business activity.
- 04
Business Preparation
The researcher prepares to establish or conduct business activity.
- 05
Qualifying Business Activity Residence
The researcher transitions to a qualifying business activity residence status.
Business Activity Residence
To continue living in Poland based on entrepreneurship, the applicant must satisfy the separate requirements applicable to Temporary Residence for Business Activity.
Health Insurance
The applicant must have appropriate healthcare coverage. This can include Polish Public Healthcare Coverage or Insurance Covering Medical Treatment Costs in Poland.
Financial Resources
The applicant must demonstrate sufficient resources to cover living costs and return or onward travel costs.
Current Living Cost Threshold
Under the current requirements, available monthly resources should generally exceed 1,010 PLN per month for a person without dependants.
Where the applicant has dependent family members, the threshold is 823 PLN per month per person.
The applicable statutory amounts should always be verified before filing.
1,010 PLN Per Month
Return / Onward Travel Funds
The applicant must also demonstrate resources for departure from Poland. The current amounts depend on the destination and can include:
- 200 PLN per person for a country neighbouring Poland
- 500 PLN per person for another EU country not neighbouring Poland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
- 2,500 PLN per person for other countries
These amounts should always be verified at the time of application.
Accommodation
The researcher must have a secured place of residence in Poland. The accommodation must be available for actual residence and suitable for habitation, and the applicant must provide documentation confirming their right to use the premises.
MOS Application & Competent Authority
The application is submitted through Poland's MOS – Case Handling Module, under the applicable electronic residence procedure. The application must be properly completed and signed according to the applicable rules.
The application is not considered properly submitted merely because information has been entered into MOS. The applicant must complete the required submission process and obtain the applicable official acknowledgment of receipt.
The application is handled by the Competent Voivode according to the applicant's place of residence in Poland. The Head of the Office for Foreigners acts as the second-instance authority in applicable appeal proceedings.
What Happens After 9 Months?
The Post-Research Residence Permit cannot simply be renewed. Before expiration, the researcher should transition to another qualifying immigration status.
Potential Next Pathways
Depending on the applicant's circumstances:
- Temporary Residence & Work
- EU Blue Card
- Business Activity Residence
- Family Residence
- Another Qualifying Temporary Residence
- Long-Term Residence Planning
Post-Research Residence vs. Related Pathways
Researcher Residence
Designed for actively conducting qualifying scientific research or development work.
Post-Research Residence
Designed for the period immediately after completing qualifying research when the researcher intends to Find Employment or Prepare Business Activity.
Graduate Residence
Designed for qualifying graduates of Polish higher-education institutions.
EU Blue Card
Requires qualifying highly skilled employment and satisfaction of the applicable professional and salary requirements, whereas Post-Research Residence allows time to seek employment without already having qualifying highly skilled employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get this permit for 2 years?
No. The permit is granted for 9 months.
Can I renew it?
No. It is a one-time permit.
Can I apply from my home country?
No. This specific permit cannot be applied for from abroad.
When should I apply?
Immediately after completing the qualifying scientific research or development work while legally residing in Poland under the applicable researcher residence status.
Do I need to already have a job?
No. The purpose of the permit can specifically be job seeking.
What if I already found an employer?
If you have already started working or have an employer ready to hire you, this particular Post-Research Permit is generally not the appropriate pathway. An employment-based residence permit should instead be assessed.
Can I prepare a startup?
Potentially yes. Preparing to conduct business activity is expressly one of the purposes of the permit.
Can I register a company?
Business registration can potentially form part of demonstrating genuine preparation for business activity. However, company registration alone does not automatically guarantee continued residence after the nine-month permit expires.
Can I later apply for an EU Blue Card?
Potentially yes, if you find qualifying highly skilled employment and satisfy the applicable EU Blue Card requirements.
Can I stay after the 9 months?
Potentially yes, but you must qualify for another appropriate Polish residence permit before the Post-Research Residence expires.
Can I work in Austria with this permit?
No. A Polish Post-Research Residence Permit does not automatically provide unrestricted employment rights in Austria or another EU Member State.
Who Can We Help?
Post-Research Residence can potentially be relevant for:
- International Researchers
- Scientists
- R&D Professionals
- Academic Researchers
- Medical Researchers
- Engineers
- Technology Researchers
- Researchers Seeking Employment
- Researchers Planning Startups
- Research-Based Entrepreneurs
Our Process
- 01
Research Status Assessment
We verify the applicant's existing Polish researcher residence status.
- 02
Completion Verification
Documentation confirming completion of the scientific research or development work is reviewed.
- 03
Application Timing
The research completion date and current legal stay are assessed.
- 04
Post-Research Objective
We determine whether the applicant intends to Seek Employment or Prepare Business Activity.
- 05
Evidence Preparation
Job-search evidence or business-preparation documentation is coordinated.
- 06
Financial & Healthcare Assessment
Required financial resources and healthcare coverage are reviewed.
- 07
Accommodation
Evidence of suitable accommodation in Poland is assessed.
- 08
MOS Application
The Post-Research Residence application is coordinated through the applicable Polish procedure.
- 09
Employment / Business Transition
During the nine-month period, the appropriate next immigration pathway is identified.
- 10
Long-Term Strategy
Potential Employment Residence, EU Blue Card, Business Residence and EU Long-Term Residence options can be reviewed.
Related Polish Pathways
From Research to Your Professional Future in Poland
9 Months to Build the Next Stage
Completing a research project does not necessarily mean that an international researcher must immediately leave Poland.
Qualifying researchers can receive a dedicated nine-month period to search for employment or prepare business activity. This creates an important bridge between research and professional life or entrepreneurship.
CETO can assess eligibility, coordinate the Post-Research Residence procedure and help structure the next immigration pathway together with qualified legal and immigration professionals.