While a Belarusian woman waited for a student TRP in Poland, she managed to graduate from university. Officials were accommodating

The changes took effect a day before the girl planned to submit her documents. As a result, her legalization process turned into a quest. How she managed to complete it, legalization specialist Iryna Varachkova, who assisted her, told Most.

Nina (name changed) enrolled in a bachelor's program at one of Warsaw's universities and for several years stayed in the country on student visas. She had a total of three such visas. Previously, she had obtained them in Belarus without much difficulty, but over time, she became worried that problems might arise with obtaining another one.

While still studying, the girl found a job at a large company. When her last student visa was nearing its expiration, she decided to apply for a residence card (*karta pobytu*). The employer required that after the visa expired, the employee would have a stamp in her passport confirming the submission of a TRP application. Therefore, the documents had to be submitted in person, with fingerprint submission — in 2025, applications had not yet been transferred to an electronic format.

She only managed to get an appointment for June 2, 2025 — a free slot was found with the help of bots that track appointments at the *urząd* (local government office).

However, on June 1, literally a day before the submission, changes to migration legislation came into force in Poland. They restricted the possibility of obtaining a single temporary residence and work permit for foreigners residing in Poland on certain types of visas, including student visas.

— Three *urząd* (local government office) employees came. They explained to us that we could not apply for a work permit, — Iryna recalls that day.

As a result, the application was submitted on the basis of university studies. And employment at a large company was used to confirm that the girl had a stable income.

She Graduated from University, But There Was Still No Decision on Her Permit

Almost a year passed, but no decision was made on the Belarusian woman's application.

In June 2026, the girl completed her bachelor's degree. However, the certificate from the university, which confirmed her studies, was only valid until May 30. Thus, the basis on which she had initially requested the TRP became invalid.

The specialist suggested changing the purpose of her stay: for graduates of Polish universities, there is a one-time opportunity to obtain a residence permit (*pobyt czasowy dla absolwenta* — temporary stay for a graduate) — for job searching or starting entrepreneurial activity. Such a residence permit is issued for nine months.

However, the girl already had a permanent job, and this option did not well suit her actual situation. The situation was also complicated by the fact that Nina could not immediately receive her diploma after graduation. She had to wait for the university to process the document.

— We practically had no choice. The only alternative would have been to return to Belarus for a new visa. Therefore, we decided to fight for it, — explains the specialist.

The Belarusian woman decided to continue her education and enrolled in a master's program for distance learning. She received confirmation of enrollment, but this also did not solve the problem: distance learning did not provide the opportunity to obtain a student TRP under the rules stipulated for full-time study.

In June 2026, Iryna submitted documents requesting to change the purpose of stay to that provided for a graduate of a Polish university. In July, the girl finally received her bachelor's diploma. It was also submitted to the *urząd*.

After this, all that remained was to wait for a decision.

Back to the Work TRP

In September 2026, Iryna began to find out if the purpose of stay could be changed again — this time to work.

Soon, a letter arrived from the Mazovian Voivodeship *Urząd* with an inquiry about on what basis the girl was actually applying for the residence permit — for work or for job searching.

Iryna and her client decided to submit an application to change the purpose of stay and the documents required for processing the case on the basis of work. This required an appendix to the application (*załącznik nr 1*), which is filled out by the employer. Since the Belarusian woman worked for a large enterprise with a complex management structure, processing the document proved to be not easy. As a result, the necessary documents from the employer were obtained. Iryna also suggested that the client pay an additional 100 PLN in stamp duty (for a work TRP, it is 440 PLN, and for other bases — 340 PLN, respectively — 23 — 77 — 100 euros).

— We wanted to cover all our bases and have fewer grounds for potential refusal, — says Iryna.

The specialist prepared a separate letter to the *urząd*, in which she explained in detail how the client's circumstances had changed during the application review period. In the letter, she asked to take into account all circumstances of the case, review it individually, and issue a positive decision instead of a refusal.

Fortunate with the Inspector

In October 2026, the Mazovian Voivode made a positive decision. The Belarusian woman received a temporary residence and work permit. It is valid for almost three years. The justification indicated that the girl had completed her bachelor's degree in Warsaw and was working in Poland. Moreover, as a graduate of a Polish university, she is exempt from the obligation to obtain a separate work permit.

Iryna Varachkova considers the obtained decision to be a successful outcome for an individual case. According to her assessment, much depended on the approach of the inspector who reviewed the application and agreed to take into account the changed circumstances. However, such an outcome is not guaranteed.

— We were lucky. Another inspector might have refused, — says the specialist.

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