Residence Permit Based on Business Activity
ONE PLUS provides complete legal support for foreign entrepreneurs applying for a residence permit based on business activity in Wroclaw and throughout Poland. We analyse the company, verify the correct legal basis, prepare corporate and financial documents, support the electronic application through MOS and manage the case until a decision is issued.
We contact the case officer, receive and manage official correspondence, prepare responses to requests from the Voivodeship Office and take legally available steps to prevent unnecessary delays. We support clients in Wroclaw, Warsaw, Katowice, Gdansk and other cities in Poland.
Book a consultation and find out whether your business can provide a strong basis for a Polish residence permit.
Business Residence Permit in Poland
A business residence permit allows a non-EU entrepreneur to legalise their stay in Poland when conducting genuine business activity is the main purpose of their residence.
The official name of this procedure is a temporary residence permit for the purpose of conducting business activity. It is also commonly searched for as:
- Business Residence Permit;
- TRC based on business;
- Karta Pobytu for entrepreneurs;
- Karta Pobytu based on business activity;
- Polish residence card for a business owner;
- temporary residence card for a company director.
A residence permit is the legal authorisation granted by the voivode. The residence card, known in Polish as karta pobytu, is the physical document issued after a positive decision.
ONE PLUS helps clients understand both parts of the process and manages the case from the initial company assessment to the collection of the residence card.
Who Can Apply for a Residence Permit Based on Business?
This type of Polish residence permit may be suitable for foreigners who:
- conduct sole proprietorship activity registered in CEIDG, provided they are legally entitled to operate a JDG in Poland;
- are shareholders and management board members of a Polish limited liability company, or Sp. z o.o.;
- are shareholders and management board members of a joint-stock company;
- act as general partners in a limited partnership or limited joint-stock partnership;
- act as commercial proxies, known as prokurent, in qualifying companies;
- are developing a start-up or a newly established business;
- are moving an existing international business to Poland;
- are investing in and actively managing a Polish company.
The business may operate in IT, software development, e-commerce, consulting, construction, transport, logistics, manufacturing, trade, marketing, hospitality, professional services or another lawful sector.
Registering a company or purchasing shares does not automatically create a sufficient basis for a residence permit. The applicant must show a real connection with the business and prove that conducting or managing it is the genuine purpose of staying in Poland.
Is Company Registration Enough to Obtain a Karta Pobytu?
No. A KRS or CEIDG registration confirms that a business exists formally, but the Voivodeship Office examines whether the company conducts genuine economic activity.
Depending on the business model and the stage of development, the authority may examine:
- contracts with clients and business partners;
- invoices and payment records;
- transactions on company bank accounts;
- tax declarations and accounting records;
- payments of taxes and ZUS contributions;
- company income, costs and financial results;
- employment of workers;
- investments and business assets;
- the applicant’s duties and role in the company;
- the relationship between the declared activity and the actual operations;
- the economic purpose of the applicant’s stay in Poland.
A company that exists only on paper, has no clear business model or cannot document its activity may receive additional requests for evidence or a negative decision.
What Economic Requirements Must the Business Meet?
A business-based residence permit is not assessed only on the applicant’s personal income. The authority also examines whether the business meets one of the economic conditions established by Polish law.
Generally, the company must demonstrate one of the following:
1. The required level of business income
The company or sole proprietorship may show that it achieved the required income during the tax year preceding the application.
The applicable threshold is connected with official salary statistics and may differ depending on the year and the voivodeship. It should therefore be calculated individually before submitting the application.
2. The required level of employment
The business may qualify through employment if it has employed at least two qualifying workers:
- on a full-time basis;
- under contracts for an indefinite period;
- for at least 12 months before the application.
The employees must belong to one of the categories specified by law, such as Polish citizens or foreigners with qualifying access to the Polish labour market.
Employing two people is not compulsory if the business meets another statutory condition.
3. Resources and activities supporting future development
A newer company that has not yet achieved the required income or employment level may still present evidence showing that it has sufficient resources and is taking concrete steps to meet the statutory conditions in the future.
The authority may consider:
- investments already made;
- available financial resources;
- signed or negotiated contracts;
- expected revenue;
- a realistic business development plan;
- planned recruitment;
- job creation;
- innovation or technology transfer;
- equipment, premises and other business assets;
- the qualifications and experience of the founders;
- the company’s position within an international group.
This route requires detailed and credible documentation. General declarations about future plans are usually not enough.
Turnover, Income and Profit – What Is the Difference?
These figures are not interchangeable in a residence permit case.
| Financial term | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Turnover or revenue | The total value of sales before deducting business expenses | It shows the scale of commercial activity but does not always prove that the statutory income requirement has been met |
| Costs | Expenses connected with running the business | The office may examine whether the costs are genuine and consistent with the business model |
| Income | Revenue remaining after deductible costs, calculated according to the relevant tax rules | This figure may be used when assessing the statutory economic condition |
| Profit | The financial result shown in company accounts | It helps demonstrate financial stability but must be interpreted together with tax and accounting documents |
Before filing, ONE PLUS works with the client and, where necessary, the accountant to determine which figures are relevant and how they should be documented.
Can a New Business or Start-Up Qualify?
Yes, but Poland does not currently offer a separate start-up residence permit. Founders normally apply under the business activity route.
A new company may not yet have a full financial year, substantial income or two employees. In that situation, the application should demonstrate a realistic ability to develop and meet the statutory requirements in the future.
A strong start-up file may include:
- a detailed business plan;
- proof of financing;
- bank statements;
- founder investment;
- contracts, letters of intent or confirmed orders;
- market research;
- financial projections;
- information about the product or service;
- evidence of professional experience;
- intellectual property or technology documentation;
- an employment and investment plan;
- proof of business premises, equipment or infrastructure.
The documents must be consistent. Revenue forecasts, planned employment and expected costs should correspond with the actual business model and the resources available to the company.
JDG or Sp. z o.o. – Which Is Better for a Residence Permit?
There is no single structure that is best for every foreign entrepreneur.
| JDG | Sp. z o.o. |
| The entrepreneur conducts the activity personally | The company is a separate legal entity |
| The office usually focuses on the owner’s invoices, clients, income, taxes and ZUS | The office examines the company’s finances, ownership, management and the foreigner’s actual role |
| May be suitable for consultants, freelancers and individual service providers | May be suitable for companies with partners, employees, investment or higher operational risk |
| Registration is available only to foreigners who meet the applicable legal conditions | Foreigners can generally hold shares, but share ownership alone is not sufficient for a residence permit |
| The entrepreneur is personally responsible for business obligations | Shareholder liability is generally limited, although management board members may have separate responsibilities |
The choice should be based on the business model, tax situation, liability, immigration status and long-term plans – not only on how quickly the entity can be registered.
ONE PLUS assesses the current structure and explains whether the existing business form supports the planned residence permit application.
Residence Permit for Shareholders and Management Board Members
Owning shares in a Polish company does not automatically mean that the business route is appropriate.
The correct basis depends on:
- whether the foreigner is a shareholder;
- whether the foreigner is also a management board member;
- whether the person actively manages the company;
- whether the person receives remuneration;
- the type of company;
- the actual duties performed;
- whether a work-related attachment or additional authorisation is required.
A management board member who does not hold shares may need to consider a different residence route. The legal basis should be checked before submitting the MOS application because choosing the wrong procedure may lead to delays or refusal.
Documents for a Business Residence Permit
The final list depends on the business form, the applicant’s role, the company’s history and the requirements of the competent Voivodeship Office.
The standard personal documents may include:
- a valid passport;
- digital copies of all passport pages;
- a compliant digital photograph;
- proof of payment of the applicable government fees;
- proof of health insurance;
- evidence of accommodation in Poland;
- documents confirming sufficient personal financial resources;
- powers of attorney, if a legal representative is appointed.
Business documents may include:
- CEIDG or KRS records;
- company agreement or articles of association;
- shareholder and management board information;
- resolutions and appointment documents;
- contracts with clients and contractors;
- invoices and proof of payment;
- business bank statements;
- PIT, CIT and VAT declarations;
- balance sheet and profit-and-loss statement;
- accounting records;
- ZUS documents;
- tax and ZUS clearance certificates;
- employment contracts and payroll records;
- licences, permits or professional authorisations;
- business plan and financial projections;
- documents confirming investments and company assets;
- explanations of the applicant’s role and the purpose of stay.
Submitting a large number of documents is not enough. The evidence must form a clear and consistent explanation of how the business operates and why the applicant needs to remain in Poland.
Electronic Application Through MOS in 2026
Since 27 April 2026, standard applications for temporary residence permits are submitted electronically through the new MOS portal, sometimes informally called MOS 2.0.
The applicant must personally:
- Create a new account in the current MOS system.
- Log in through login.gov.pl.
- Complete the correct application form.
- Attach the required digital documents.
- Sign the application using a trusted profile, qualified electronic signature or personal signature.
- Submit the application and download the official confirmation of receipt.
Where an additional attachment must be completed by a company or another entity, the relevant authorised person may also need to sign it electronically.
After the initial verification, the Voivodeship Office normally summons the applicant to appear in person to:
- provide fingerprints;
- submit a signature specimen;
- present the original passport;
- show original documents or provide additional evidence when required.
ONE PLUS prepares the application and supporting evidence, explains the electronic procedure and checks the file before the applicant signs and submits it. We never request the applicant’s confidential login credentials.
How ONE PLUS Manages Your Residence Permit Case
Our service is designed to cover the full legalisation process rather than only completing an application form.
1. Initial legal and business analysis
We review your immigration status, company structure, financial position, role in the business and plans in Poland.
2. Selection of the correct residence route
We determine whether the application should be based on business activity or whether another route would be more appropriate.
3. Individual document checklist
You receive a checklist adapted to your company, business form, role and competent Voivodeship Office.
4. Corporate and financial document review
We analyse contracts, invoices, bank statements, accounting documents, taxes, ZUS records and other evidence of genuine activity.
5. Preparation for the MOS application
We prepare the information and documents required for electronic filing and verify consistency before submission.
6. Representation and correspondence
When authorised, ONE PLUS acts as the client’s representative, receives official correspondence and prepares responses to requests from the authority.
7. Contact with the case officer
We communicate with the office when necessary, monitor the progress of the case and provide additional documents or explanations.
8. Support until the residence card is issued
We assist after the decision, explain the next formalities and support the client during the residence card issuance and collection stage.
Can ONE PLUS Accelerate a Karta Pobytu Case?
No legal representative can guarantee a decision by a specific date. However, many cases are delayed because documents are incomplete, correspondence is missed or the authority has not received updated information.
Depending on the circumstances, ONE PLUS may:
- verify the current status of the case;
- contact the responsible department or case officer;
- update financial and company documents;
- respond promptly to official requests;
- submit a formal reminder, known as ponaglenie;
- assess whether a complaint concerning inactivity or excessive length of proceedings is justified;
- prepare an appeal after a negative decision.
Every procedural step is selected individually. A formal measure should be based on the circumstances of the case and applicable law, not used as an automatic promise of faster processing.
Applying in Wroclaw and Other Polish Cities
ONE PLUS provides business immigration services in Wroclaw and throughout Poland.
We assist entrepreneurs whose cases are handled in:
- Wroclaw and the Lower Silesian Voivodeship;
- Warsaw and the Mazovian Voivodeship;
- Katowice and the Silesian Voivodeship;
- Gdansk and the Pomeranian Voivodeship;
- Poznan, Krakow, Lodz, Szczecin and other Polish cities.
The main legal requirements are based on national law. However, communication methods, local procedures, processing times and the presentation of additional evidence may differ between offices. We adapt the case strategy to the competent authority while maintaining the same legal and evidential standards.
Residence Permits for Employees and Family Members
Business owners often need legalisation support not only for themselves but also for the people connected with the company.
ONE PLUS can separately assist with:
- temporary residence and work permits for employees;
- EU Blue Card applications for highly qualified specialists;
- residence applications for management board members;
- work authorisations and employer documentation;
- residence permits for spouses;
- residence permits for children;
- family reunification cases;
- permanent residence and EU long-term resident applications where the statutory conditions are met.
Each person normally requires an individual legal basis and a separate application. A positive business residence decision for the company owner does not automatically grant residence rights to employees or family members.
Renewing a Business Residence Permit
A business residence permit is not extended automatically. Before the current permit expires, the foreigner must submit a new application if they plan to remain in Poland.
The authority will examine the current situation again, including:
- recent company income;
- tax and ZUS compliance;
- contracts and customers;
- financial statements;
- employment;
- the applicant’s continuing role;
- changes in the company;
- whether business activity remains the genuine purpose of stay.
Documents used for the first application may no longer be sufficient. Preparation should begin early enough to review the latest financial period and correct any inconsistencies.
What If the Business Changes During the Procedure?
A company may gain new clients, change its address, appoint new board members, modify its business model or experience lower income while the application is pending.
Material changes should be reviewed and, where necessary, reported or documented. Updated evidence can include:
- new contracts and invoices;
- current bank statements;
- new KRS or CEIDG records;
- updated financial results;
- information about new employees;
- explanations of temporary losses or investment costs;
- revised business forecasts.
Ignoring significant changes may create inconsistencies between the original application and the situation examined when the decision is issued.
Common Reasons for Additional Requests or Refusal
Business residence cases often become more difficult because of:
- applying under the wrong legal basis;
- relying only on company registration;
- no evidence of genuine activity;
- low or unexplained account turnover;
- missing tax or ZUS documents;
- arrears or inconsistencies in public payments;
- contracts that do not match invoices or bank transactions;
- unclear duties of the foreign shareholder or director;
- unrealistic financial projections;
- missing electronic signatures or MOS attachments;
- failure to answer correspondence on time;
- contradictions between the application and company records;
- insufficient evidence of future business development.
A pre-application audit makes it possible to identify many of these risks before the case is filed.
Why Foreign Entrepreneurs Choose ONE PLUS
ONE PLUS is a leading Polish company specialising in the legalisation of foreigners and legal support for international businesses.
Our clients receive:
- more than 10 years of practical immigration experience;
- support in Wroclaw and throughout Poland;
- an individual analysis of the company and residence basis;
- cooperation with the client’s accountant and business advisers;
- preparation of corporate, financial and immigration documents;
- support with MOS applications;
- representation before Voivodeship Offices;
- management of official correspondence;
- contact with inspectors and case departments;
- support with delayed proceedings and appeals;
- related legalisation services for employees and family members.
We work with established companies, individual entrepreneurs, international investors and start-ups from different industries. Our role is to build a clear, well-documented case and manage the legal process from beginning to end.
Get Legal Support for a Business Residence Permit
If you already operate a company in Poland or are planning to start a business, ONE PLUS can assess whether business activity provides the right basis for your residence permit.
We will review your company, identify potential risks, prepare the required documents and support your TRC or Karta Pobytu case in Wroclaw or any other city in Poland.
Contact ONE PLUS to book a consultation and receive an individual legalisation plan.
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