Starting in 2025, Ukrainians in Poland will have the opportunity to apply for a CUKR card, allowing them to stay in the country for up to three years. This document will be available to those who:
Held PESEL UKR status as of March 4, 2024;
Retain PESEL UKR status at the time of applying for the CUKR card;
Maintain continuous PESEL UKR status for at least 365 days (if a person leaves Poland for more than 30 days, the status is lost).
Applications for the CUKR card will be submitted online through a specially designed service on the Office for Foreigners’ website.
Ukrainians who receive a CUKR card will have the right to travel from Poland to other countries but for no more than six months. Additionally, cardholders must update their personal information if they change their surname or receive a new passport to avoid losing benefits, such as the “800+” payment, in case of data discrepancies.
Thus, Ukrainians in Poland must decide what suits them better—whether to keep their PESEL UKR status or switch to the CUKR card.
The PESEL UKR status is valid until the spring of next year, and it is likely to be extended as it has been in previous years. The CUKR card will allow Ukrainians to remain in Poland and work there for up to three years, providing a more stable environment.
Read more: “What is a digital nomad visa and how is it beneficial?”