Published: 02.04.2026
Belarusian citizens who stay in Poland immediately before applying on the basis of a valid national D21 visa can apply for a temporary residence permit for humanitarian reasons. The permit is granted once for three years, exempts the holder from a work permit requirement and provides full access to the Polish labour market.
According to the source, a D21 visa holder can move to a three-year temporary residence permit if the application is filed no later than the last day of lawful stay. This provides a more stable basis for living and working in Poland than a national visa alone, and the permit can be followed by further legalisation, including temporary or permanent residence and EU long-term-resident status. The procedure primarily affects Belarusian citizens who entered on a D21 visa and intend to remain in Poland. It is worth attention because the filing deadline, personal appearance and fingerprint submission are central procedural requirements.