The residence card is not only a key document for the legal stay of a foreigner living in Poland, but also necessary for everyday matters – for example, opening a bank account or accessing healthcare services. Losing a residence card is a situation that can happen to anyone. In this article, we will look at the most important steps to take in order to recover a lost card.
Residence Card Replacement – How to Prepare for the Process?
When you realize the loss of your residence card or that it might have been stolen, the first thing to do is to carefully check whether the document might still be in your surroundings. Search your home or retrace your steps along the route you took earlier. If you are certain the card is missing, report the loss at the nearest police station. Ultimately, the most important step is to begin the process of replacing the residence card. To do this, you will need to prepare the following documents, which are crucial when submitting your application at the office:
– Passport along with copies of all filled-in pages,
– 2 photos sized 35mm x 45mm,
– Decision on the residence permit along with a copy,
– Copy of the residence card (if you are able to print one),
– Certificate of temporary/permanent residence registration,
– Confirmation of payment for the issuance of a new card (required in Polish),
– Optionally: report of residence card loss issued by the police station.
Application for Residence Card Replacement and Visit to the Office
Once you are prepared, the only thing missing is the residence card replacement application. You can obtain this from the website of your voivodeship office. Often, you will also find a list of additional documents required during the visit. The application does not require you to provide complicated information – it is limited to entering your personal data, information about your travel document, current registered address, information about your stay in Poland, and the reason for submitting the application. At the end, you just need to provide a few signatures, and the completed application can be submitted at the office after booking an appointment. The availability of an appointment depends on the booking system of the respective voivodeship office. The meeting mainly involves verifying your application once again, this time with the assistance of an office employee. If everything goes according to plan, you will receive information about the scheduled date for picking up your new residence card – the waiting time should not exceed 2 months from the day of your visit.
Renewal of the Residence Card, Replacement Due to Data Changes or Errors
It is important to know that the residence card replacement procedure is also necessary in other situations. The same steps should be taken if, after receiving your residence card, you notice an error in the document. Marriage and a change of surname also require you to replace your residence card. Similarly, if the address registered on your card has changed. With the right knowledge and preparation, the card replacement procedure will be very simple for you. Renewal of the residence card may also be required when the validity of the current card expires – this applies to holders of permanent residence permits as well as long-term EU resident permits. With the right knowledge and preparation, the procedure will be very simple. The key is to thoroughly review the requirements and complete the applications correctly. If you have any doubts, it is worth consulting a specialist, which can help avoid unpleasant experiences.
