Red stamp in the passport when applying for a residence card (TRC) in Poland

What does the red stamp in a foreigner’s passport in Poland mean?

The red stamp (Czerwona pieczątka), placed by an officer of the Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki) in a foreigner’s passport, is an official confirmation that the application for a temporary residence permit (karta pobytu czasowego) has been submitted in full and contains no formal errors.

This stamp is issued based on Article 108, paragraph 1, point 2 of the Act of December 12, 2013, on foreigners (Journal of Laws 2023, item 519 with later amendments), according to which the submission of an application for stay, if conditions are met, allows the foreigner to legally remain in Poland even after the expiry of the previous document (e.g., visa or visa-free period).

Functional significance of the red stamp

Having the red stamp in the passport can play a key role when dealing with:

ZUS (Social Insurance Institution)

Confirmation of legal stay;

Urząd Skarbowy (Tax Office)

Registration of NIP/PESEL;

Urząd Komunikacji

Vehicle registration;

Urząd Miasta / Gminy

Residence registration (meldunek), driver’s license issuance;

Employers

Many official employers require presentation of the stamp as proof of legal stay and awaiting residence card;

Banks and insurance companies

Opening accounts, policy renewal, etc.

Is it possible to travel abroad with the red stamp?

No, it is not possible. The red stamp is not a document granting the right to re-enter Poland or the Schengen area.

Even if you travel to your country of citizenship, returning on the basis of the stamp alone is not possible. To return, a valid entry document is required:

• national visa;
• visa-free days (if holding a biometric passport and Poland participates in visa-free regime);
• valid residence permit of another EU country granting entry rights.

Leaving Poland with the red stamp in the passport cancels the legal stay status granted on its basis in Poland. This is especially important when awaiting the residence card – departure may automatically cancel your application.

What if documents are submitted by mail?

If the application is submitted by mail (art. 105 of the Act on foreigners), confirmation of legal stay until the decision is received is the so-called yellow card (potwierdzenie złożenia wniosku), which is sent by post and contains:

• Name and surname of the applicant;
• Information about the type of application submitted, e.g., “Wniosek o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt czasowy i pracę – HANNA RUSNAK”;
• Stamp of the Voivodeship Office.

However, the yellow card is not equivalent to the red stamp, and many institutions may require a personal stamp in the passport during visits to the office.

Want to get the red stamp when submitting your application?

The legal company ONE PLUS provides comprehensive assistance in submitting documents for the residence card, obtaining the red stamp, support at the offices, employment legalization, and all stages of the migration process in Poland.