All Residence Permit Applications Go Digital — MOS 2.0 Portal Now Mandatory
Poland's Office for Foreigners launched the mandatory MOS 2.0 portal on April 27, 2026. All residence permit applications (temporary, permanent, and EU long-term resident) must now be submitted online; paper filings are rejected. The system is multilingual and eliminates in-person queues, though biometric appointments remain required.
Poland's Office for Foreigners (UdSC) switched on its long-awaited Moduł Obsługi Spraw (MOS) platform at 00:01 on 27 April 2026, ending the era of paper filings for most immigration categories. This represents one of the most significant structural changes to Poland's immigration system in years.
Anyone seeking a temporary, permanent or long-term-EU residence permit must apply exclusively through MOS, uploading scans of passports, labour contracts and proof of accommodation. Paper applications that were mailed but not physically received by provincial offices before the 27 April cut-off will be left without consideration.
Key Changes
- All applications are now online-only: The MOS portal is an official web platform managed by the Office for Foreigners (Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców). Its main goal is to simplify the process of filling out residency applications (wniosek).
- Seven languages supported: Official website: mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl — available in 7 languages: Polish, English, Ukrainian, Russian, French, Arabic and Vietnamese.
- Biometric appointments still required in person: Filling out the form online does not replace an in-person biometric appointment at the Urząd Wojewódzki.
- Processing speed improvements: UdSC argues that the digital shift will speed up adjudications by several weeks, create a tamper-proof audit trail and make it easier to re-use data when a foreigner extends a permit or changes employer.
As a foreigner applying for or renewing any residence permit in Poland, you must now use the MOS portal. If you are outside Poland seeking a residence permit based on work, family reunification, or business activity, begin by obtaining a national (Type D) visa at a Polish consulate, then file your residence application through MOS after arrival and local registration.
Sources
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