Karta pobytu CUKR

CUKR Card: Transition from UKR Status to Residence

The CUKR card is a simplified transition from temporary protection (UKR status) to a full temporary residence permit, issued for 3 years. UKR status is only valid until 04.03.2027, so switching to the CUKR card gives you stability going forward and counts toward the residence period required for EU long-term resident status. The application can only be filed electronically, via the MOS portal, before 04.03.2027.

Conditions, documents, and fees

What you need to get the CUKR card

Data is current as of the official source gov.pl/web/udsc (Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców).

Who is eligible to apply

A valid PESEL with UKR status on the date of filing
Uninterrupted UKR status for at least 365 days
Ukrainian citizens and certain family members (spouse, minor children, spouse's children, close relatives holding Karta Polaka)
Children born in Poland after February 23, 2022, whose mother holds a CUKR card — under special conditions
The application can only be filed before March 4, 2027

Documents and fees

The application must be filed only electronically via the MOS portal — paper or e-mail submissions are not accepted
The application is signed personally (profil zaufany, a qualified electronic signature, or a personal signature) — it cannot be filed through a representative
A digital photo in the required format (at least 684×883 px, up to 2.5 MB)
Stamp duty (opłata skarbowa) for the residence permit — 340 zł
Residence card fee — 100 zł
Both fees are paid in advance, before filing, to separate accounts — proof of payment is attached to the application
Fees are non-refundable, and no discounts or exemptions apply

What the CUKR card gives you

A full temporary residence permit valid for 3 years
A simplified procedure — no need to submit fingerprints at the office
The right to run a business in Poland on the same terms as Polish citizens
Time spent on the CUKR card counts toward the residence period required for EU long-term resident status later on
The decision is issued within 90 days of filing
Important: once you receive the CUKR card, UKR status ends, including the right to free accommodation and meals at temporary reception centers

After filing: collecting the card

You only need to visit the office in person to collect the finished card, after being notified it's ready
The card must be collected within 60 days of the notification — otherwise it's cancelled and the fees paid are non-refundable
Once you collect the card, UKR status is automatically converted into a temporary residence permit
You can reapply for a CUKR card after a cancellation

The procedure for filing CUKR card applications is governed by a separate law dated March 12, 2022, and is periodically updated — we verify the current conditions before every consultation.

Timeline calculator

How long the review will roughly take

The timeline depends on the voivodeship, the type of status, and the office's workload. This is only an estimate — we'll confirm the exact timeline after reviewing your documents.

Status type

Voivodeship

Document set

Estimated timeline

120 days

This estimate reflects average Urząd Wojewódzki timelines and is not a guarantee of the exact review period.

If your case is delayed

Acceleration and appeals

We also take on cases already filed — including those filed without us.

Process acceleration (Ponaglenie)

If the office exceeds the statutory review period, we file a complaint about inaction (ponaglenie) and push for a substantive response.

How it works →

Appealing a rejection

We analyze the reason for rejection and prepare an appeal to a higher authority or administrative court, respecting filing deadlines.

File an appeal →