Moving to Poland for work is an exciting step. Whether you’re joining a Polish company, transferring within an international firm, or coming for a specialised role, the process from Qatar is straightforward if you understand the sequence: secure a job, have the employer apply for the appropriate work permit, then apply for a national (D) visa at the Polish mission in Qatar. Below is a complete, step-by-step guide crafted for a visa consultancy’s audience checklists, timelines, tips, and a sample document list to help your clients succeed.
Applying for a Poland work permit visa from Qatar can seem complex at first, especially with different permit types, employer requirements, and embassy procedures involved. However, with the right guidance and a clear step-by-step approach, the process becomes much easier to understand and manage. This blog explains everything you need to know from choosing the correct work permit type to completing your visa application so you can confidently prepare for employment in Poland.
Quick overview - the three big stages
1. Get a job offer from a Polish employer (written employment contract / job offer).
2. Employer obtains a Polish work permit for you (or issues the relevant employer declaration/online registration where applicable).
3. You apply for a Polish national (D) visa at the Embassy/Consulate in Qatar (or designated VAC) using the work permit as the basis for the visa.
Step 1 Secure the job offer (what clients must do)
- Advise clients to insist on a clear written job offer or employment contract that includes: job title, salary, working hours, start date, employer’s full details (company name, address, registration number), and duration of employment.
- Confirm whether the position requires a specific professional qualification or license (e.g., healthcare, engineering). If yes, start collecting certified diplomas, professional certificates and translations.
Why this matters: the employer’s application for your work permit will refer directly to the contract/offer. Missing or vague contract elements are a common reason for permit delays.
Step 2 Employer applies for the work permit (what happens in Poland)
Who applies and where?
- In nearly all cases the Polish employer (or their authorised representative/legal adviser) submits the work permit application to the competent Polish authority (Voivodeship / regional office) or uses the national online system if required. Recent changes have moved many steps online — employers must follow the official government portal/process.
Which type of work permit might apply?
Poland has multiple permit types; the most common for standard employment are:
Type A – Standard Employment (Most Common)
This is the most frequently issued work permit.
Applies when:
- You are employed by a Polish company
- Your employer is registered in Poland
- Your work is performed within Poland
Example:
A construction worker, IT professional, factory worker, or office employee hired directly by a Polish company.
Type B – Board Members / Directors
This permit is for senior-level executives.
Applies when:
- You are a management board member
- You stay in Poland for more than 6 months within a 12-month period
- You do not hold permanent residence in Poland
Example:
A foreign director appointed to manage a Polish company.
Type C – Intra-Company Transfer
This applies to employees sent by a foreign employer to work in Poland temporarily.
Applies when:
- You work for a non-Polish company
- You are transferred to a Polish branch or office
- The transfer period exceeds 30 days
Example:
An employee from a Qatar-based company assigned to its Polish branch.
Type D – Temporary Assignment to Poland
This permit is issued when services are provided in Poland under a contract.
Applies when:
- Your foreign employer sends you to Poland
- You work for a Polish client but remain employed by the foreign company
Example:
A technician sent to Poland to install or maintain equipment for a Polish firm.
Type E – Other Assignments
This is a catch-all permit for work situations not covered by Types A–D.
Applies when:
- Your work arrangement does not clearly fit into other categories
- The assignment involves short-term or irregular work in Poland
What the employer usually provides
- Employment contract and company registration documents (e.g., KRS extract).
- Proof of business activity and reasons for hiring a foreign national.
- Any labour market tests/notifications (if required) or declarations/regime under recent laws. Note: Poland has been updating rules, and some employer steps are now electronic and mandatory. Make sure employers use the up-to-date portal/process.
Step 3 Receiving the work permit and next moves for the applicant
- Once the permit is issued, the employer typically provides the original permit document (or an official copy) to the employee in Qatar.
- That document is the main proof you’ll use to apply for a National (D) Visa — work at the Polish embassy/consulate in Qatar or through the Visa Application Centre (VAC) appointed by the Polish mission.
Step 4 Apply for the Poland National (D) Visa from Qatar (the applicant’s visa step)
Where to apply
- Polish Embassy / Consulate in Doha (Poland in Qatar) or the designated Visa Application Centre (VAC) accepts applications for national (D) visas. Check the embassy’s visa page for up-to-date instructions and VAC details. Applicants must follow the local submission rules (appointment system, two sets of documents, fee payment policy).
Complete checklist (core documents)
1. Valid passport valid for at least 3 months beyond planned return, with blank pages; passport copy.
2. Printed & signed visa application form (filled online via e-konsulat system if required by the mission).
3. Recent passport-size photos (size per embassy specs).
4. Original Polish work permit (or proof of permit issuance) + copy.
5. Employment contract / job offer (original + copy).
6. Proof of accommodation in Poland (initial hotel booking or host address).
7. Travel medical insurance (for initial stay, if required by mission).
8. Police clearance certificate / PCC (if requested).
9. Academic & professional certificates, diplomas, translations.
10.Covering letter explaining purpose & duration of stay (if required).
11.Fee payment (local currency/cash policy — confirm with embassy).
12.Two sets of documents — some missions request one original set plus one photocopy set.
Important recent changes & online submission note
- Poland has introduced changes to streamline and digitalise work permit and contract submissions; employers now may be required to submit contracts and permit applications online through official government systems (a reform that came into effect in 2025). Advise clients to confirm with their employer that online submission is complete before starting the visa appointment. This reduces delays and paper mismatches.
Common mistakes & how your consultancy prevents them
1. Incomplete or incorrectly formatted documents We pre-check each original and copy against embassy checklists (photo size, signature fields, translations).
2. Outdated permit type selection Selecting the wrong permit type leads to refusals. We advise employers on correct permit class (A/B/C/D/E) based on the case.
3. Not following mission-specific requirements (e.g., fee methods, appointment system, two sets of documents) we confirm local Polish mission rules in Doha and the VAC procedures so clients arrive perfectly prepared.
4. Missing translations or notarisation we arrange certified translations and apostilles where necessary.
5. Employer delays we coordinate with HR and provide template letters to speed employer submission.
How your visa consultancy can add value (process & services)
- Document audit & checklist a pre-submission review to avoid embassy rejections.
- Application filling & e-konsulat guidance we help complete the online visa form correctly and book appointments.
- Employer liaison we advise employers on correct permit category and documentation required by Polish authorities.
- Translations, notarisation & PCC assistance we arrange certified translations and authenticated police clearance when needed.
- Appointment accompaniment for clients who need extra support (optional).
- Post-arrival support guidance on registration, PESEL (if applicable), tax registration, and work start formalities in Poland.
Client timeline example (typical case)
1. Week 0–2: Job offer signed; client submits documents to employer.
2. Week 2–6: Employer files for work permit in Poland (online submission possible).
3. Week 6–8: Permit decision employer sends permit to employee in Qatar.
4. Week 8–10: Applicant books embassy/VAC appointment, submits visa application.
5. Week 10–12: Visa issued; client travels to Poland and starts onboarding.
Practical checklist for the applicant
- Signed job offer / employment contract (original + copy)
- Original work permit (from employer) + copy
- Passport (valid + copy of data pages)
- Completed visa application form (printed & signed)
- 2 recent passport photos (size per embassy)
- Police clearance certificate (if requested)
- Proof of accommodation in Poland
- Health insurance / travel insurance (if required)
- Academic and professional certificates (originals + certified translations)
- Fee (cash / payment method as per embassy instructions)
- Two sets of documents (originals + photocopies) — confirm with mission.
Conclusion make the move with confidence
Applying from Qatar to work in Poland is a structured process: secure a solid job offer, ensure your employer applies correctly for the appropriate work permit, and then use that permit to obtain the national (D) visa at the Polish mission in Doha. For busy professionals and families, a visa consultancy reduces the stress, avoids common pitfalls, and speeds the application — from document audit to embassy appointment support and post-arrival guidance.
Need professional help? As a visa consultancy Avian Global prepare clients end-to-end: document checks, form filing, appointment bookings, certified translations, and employer liaison. Contact us for a personalised case assessment and a step-by-step plan tailored to your job and timeline.
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