In 2016, applications for a residence permit in Poland from foreigners increased by 30%
The largest number of applications were submitted by Ukrainian citizens – 95,500, which is 68% of the total number of foreigners who applied for a residence permit in Poland. 4,800 applications came from Belarusians, 4,700 from Chinese, 4,100 from Indians, and 4,000 applications came from Vietnamese.
The majority of cases – 90% – concerned temporary residence permits, which allow staying on the territory of the Polish state for up to three years. And 8% of applications concerned permanent residence.
According to the Office for Foreigners, 87% of all initiated cases ended with the issuance of a permit, 9% were refused, and 4% of cases were closed.
The largest number of applications was received by the Masovian Voivodeship Office – 45,000, which is a third of all cases initiated in Poland. In addition to the Masovian Voivodeship, foreigners also wanted to settle in Lower Silesia (15,500 applications), Lesser Poland Voivodeship (14,600 applications), and Greater Poland Voivodeship (12,000 applications).
Earlier, on January 30, Polish Minister of Internal Affairs Mariusz Błaszczak presented at a press conference the main points of the new law on foreigners arriving in Poland. The law provides for the introduction of a so-called border regime, which will apply to persons who do not have entry documents and also cite reasons other than fear of persecution for applying for asylum. The cases of such persons will be considered within 28 days. During this time, migrants will be in a special center or under arrest. If no other decision is made within this time, the foreigner will receive permission to enter. The purpose of the new law is to increase control over illegal migration. According to Minister Błaszczak, the law will increase the level of security in Poland.