General
We have started cooperation with an office for the service of foreigners.
The office will process residence formality, Legalization of stay in the Republic of Poland, Registrations of EU residents, Issuance of certificates, permissions, and other documents issued by the Public Administration Offices
The service includes:
- Establishment of the procedure for processing the case
- Contact a Foreigner by personal, mail, or phone.
- Collecting the documents from the foreigner, employer
- Prepare the applications, collect documents
- Submission of documents to the competent office
- Monitoring the procedure in offices
- Completing the missing documents (assistance in their preparations and submitting to the office)
- Help with interventions with the officials
- Collection of decision and permissions
- Accompany and assistance in receiving the residence card (regarding Residence Permit in the Republic of Poland)
- Reporting in writing every two weeks on the process
If you need assistance in dealing with the formalities, please directly contact the:
Vip-Service Office, tel: +48 22 839 57 42, email: vip-service@vip-service.com.pl
please add in CC administration@cft.edu.pl.
Before you arrive
The CTP PAS will send to you the invitation letter. With this invitation letter you must go to the nearest Polish Embassy in your country to submit a visa application. You may come to Poland only after you have obtained a visa. The visa process applies only to foreigners from countries outside the EU. A visa is usually valid for 1 year. The legalization process must be started upon arrival in Poland due to the long waiting period for the the Provincial Authority of Mazowieckie Province (Wojewoda Mazowiecki) to make a decision. The legalization process applies to the following:
- EU citizens who stay in Poland for longer than 3 months.
- All citizens from outside the EU whose stay in Poland exceeds the validity period of their visa.
If you come with your family, bring the originals of your marriage certificate and birth certificates of your children. These documents will be required to legalize your family's stay in Poland.
A basic information package for foreigners that is helpful for organizing your stay in Poland can be found here:
¶ First step
When you arrive in Warsaw, there are several steps:
- Undergoing tests for occupational medicine.
- Completing internal documents that are required for employment at CTP PAS.
- Finding accommodation and signing a rental agreement. Obtaining a personal identification number (PESEL) for healthcare and social security purposes:
https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/uzyskaj-numer-pesel--usluga-dla-cudzoziemcow-en
- Setting up a bank account and purchasing a phone card with a Polish phone number.
- Obtaining a Ph.D. student ID, which confirms your status as a Ph.D. student and eligibility for concessions/discounts.
¶ Bank account
The majority of banks in Poland stipulate that to open a bank account they require not only a passport but also confirmation of your legal stay in Poland. Some banks require only a passport (e.g., ING and BGŻ BNP Paribas); therefore, you may be able to open an account with them in the shortest time. These banks have English versions of their websites:
https://www.bankmillennium.pl/en/
https://www.bnpparibas.pl/en/english-info
¶ Legalization of stay
We will help you prepare and file applications and complete the set of documents that are usually required by the provincial authority (Mazowiecki Urząd Wojewódzki) for the legalization of stay process. We have a company that will accompany you when you visit to Mazowiecki Urząd Wojewódzki at every stage of the process.
The legal costs of the legalization process will be paid by CTP PAS.
The legal costs of the legalization process for your spouse and children are paid by you (e.g., stamp duty, application fee, cost of power of attorney). CTP PAS does not contribute to the costs for your family.
¶ Accommodation
When you come to Poland, you should have sufficient funds to cover your initial costs of accommodation and other living expenses. Ensure you are able to withdraw money from an ATM. If you decide to travel with cash, please take appropriate precautions.
The legal tender in Poland is the ZŁOTY (PLN). The cost of accommodation in Warsaw depends on the location, standard of accommodation, and whether you have an individual flat or shared flat. Below are examples of rental costs of accommodations that are close to CTP PAS:
2-room flat 3500/month, plus a one-time deposit of PLN 3500
1-room flat 2500/month, plus a one-time deposit of PLN 2500
A single room in a shared accommodation ~PLN 1500/month plus a one-time deposit of PLN 1500
The remaining minimum cost of living in Warsaw for one person is PLN 500-1000. CTP PAS does not contribute to the cost of accommodation (e.g., rent, deposits, bills). You should know that landlords usually do not provide Internet access. You can sign a contract with an Internet service provider. The most often used Internet service providers are: UPC, VECTRA, ORANGE.
Ensure that the Internet service provider you choose has service in your area.
¶ Transportation
Information about buses, trams, metros, and trains can be found at: https://jakdojade.pl/warszawa/trasa/
They also have a free app for the phone.
You can get a ZTM card (a ticket for public transportation in Warsaw). It costs 55 PLN for a discounted ticket for students and 110 PLN for a full-fare ticket (billed monthly). A 3-month ticket costs 140 PLN for students or 280 PLN without discounts.
The online application form to apply for a ZTM card can be found at: https://www.wtp.waw.pl/en/warsaw-city-card/
¶ Health care
Our employee will arrange for you to see a doctor to undergo the necessary occupational medicine examinations.
We will support you in gaining access to healthcare services that are available through the National Health Fund (NFZ). Depending on your status, the procedure is the following:
- Ph.D. STUDENTS
You must sign a health insurance contract with the National Health Fund (NFZ). The following are required for the application form: student ID, statement of confirmation from the higher education institution, and rental contract for flat/room.
- EMPLOYEES
People with employee status are covered by the ZUS health insurance scheme. The Human Resources Unit deals with ZUS with your behalf.
¶ Hostel
We will help you find initial hostel accommodation in Warsaw for a few nights. You will receive a relocation allowance of PLN 2,500 gross from CTP PAN to get you started.
We encourage you to find the right hostel for you even before you arrive in Poland. You can review hostel offers at Magnolia Apartments https://apartamenty-magnolie.pl/en/price-list/. If you take advantage of such an offer, you can book the accommodation yourself. Cancellation of the accommodation can be made at no cost to you.
Then you should start looking for an apartment/room and sign a rental agreement. You need the contract to get a residence card in Poland.
¶ Money exchange
It is best to check current exchange rates on line. It is uneconomical to exchange currency at the airport (they offer unfavorable rates). We recommend the following locations near CTP PAS:
Kantor Apollo
Westfield Mokotów
Wołoska 12, 02-675 Warszawa
https://kantor.waw.pl/galeria-mokotow.php
¶ Polish SIM
A Polish SIM card can be purchased at news stands/kiosks.
Please see:
¶ PIT
The Polish PIT (Personal Income Tax) form (tax return) can be filled out for you by professional accountants (you have to pay) or you can do it through the website: https://www.podatki.gov.pl/en/
You will receive your PIT by the end of February each year, for the previous year. PIT forms must be filed once a year by the end of April.