Family members may be granted a temporary residence permit, if they are not in Poland or if they do not apply for asylum after the arrival. The temporary residence permit to facilitate family reunification of beneficiaries of international protection is granted for up to 3 years. It happens that a temporary stay is issued for only one year. The foreigner is then issued a residence card upon arrival to Poland with an expiry date conforming to the expiry date of the permit that was granted. The card contains the foreigner’s personal data, residence address, annotation confirming the right to be employed in Poland, and the expiry date.
Individuals who have been granted a residence permit under the family reunification procedure may take employment in Poland without the need to apply separately for a work permit, and children under 18 years of age are entitled to free education in Polish schools. Family members of international protection beneficiaries are also entitled to social benefits. They also are entitled to be covered by the Individual Integration Programme (see Individual Integration Programme (IPI)) provided that a relevant application is submitted with one of the Poviat Family Support Centres (powiatowe centra pomocy rodzinie). The application must be submitted within 60 days from the date when the temporary residence permit is granted.
In the first half of 2023, 304 family members of recognised refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection (holders of temporary residence permit) received the support of 2,111,136 PLN in social welfare, including for integration programs.[1]
[1] Information provided by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, 12 February 2024.