Poland MOS residence permit rules require personal e-signatures starting April 27

How the MOS signature rule works

Poland's Office for Foreigners (UdSC) treats residence-permit applications filed through the Case Handling Module (MOS) as legally non-existent if anyone other than the applicant e-signs them, per a notice tied to provisions in force from April 27, 2026. A submission number may still generate, but the voivode won't process the file and can't invite the applicant to fix the defect.

Only three signature methods count: a trusted profile (profil zaufany), a qualified electronic signature or a personal signature linked to an e-ID card. Legal guardians can sign for minors or adults without full legal capacity. Holders of a power of attorney can't.

Since April 27, paper applications for temporary residence, permanent residence and EU long-term resident permits are left unexamined. MOS is the only channel.

Who gets caught by this

The rule hits anyone applying for a Polish residence permit through MOS, including:

• Non-EU expats filing for temporary residence based on work, business, family or study
• Applicants for permanent residence or EU long-term resident status
• Digital nomads converting a national visa into a residence permit tied to a Polish employer or business
• Students, researchers and trainees legalizing stays through universities or agents
• Spouses and children of Polish citizens or resident foreigners

Short-term tourists, Schengen visa holders and EU/EEA/Swiss citizens fall outside MOS and aren't affected by the signature rule. Law firms, HR teams and visa agencies can still represent clients in the proceedings, gather documents and handle correspondence. They just can't click sign on the initial application.

What applicants need to do

Applicants must create a new MOS account, even those who used the old version, then log in personally through login.gov.pl and e-sign the form themselves. Account creation and MOS filing carry no government fee.

Standard administrative costs still apply:

• Stamp duty: around 340 PLN for many temporary residence permits, up to roughly 640 PLN for other categories
• Residence card issuance: 100 PLN once the permit is granted

Anyone who already had a third party sign a MOS application after April 27 should assume the case was never lodged and refile personally. Watch for visa updates before paying an agent to handle the signature step.

Read our full Poland guide for the complete picture.