Asylum in Poland
How to apply for asylum in Poland?
In Poland, you can apply for asylum either within the country or from abroad, submitting your application to the Head of the Office for Foreigners. Your application can include family members, like a spouse or minor children, but your spouse must provide written consent to apply on their behalf.
The application should include:
1. Personal details of the applicant and represented persons.
2. Country of origin.
3. Key events justifying the asylum request.
Applicants in Poland must have their fingerprints and photograph taken. Those applying from abroad should attach a photograph and have fingerprints taken upon arrival in Poland.
These procedures are managed by the commander of the Border Guard department in Warsaw. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the application being disregarded.
Unaccompanied minors in the asylum process are entitled to a temporary Foreigner’s Identity Certificate and social assistance.
Rights and obligations of asylum seekers in Poland
During the asylum application process in Poland, the applicant must:
1. Provide relevant information including age, personal background, identity, citizenship, family, countries visited, previous asylum applications, travel route, and reasons for seeking asylum.
2. Submit any evidence supporting the asylum claim.
3. Respond to summons and attend interviews or provide explanations as requested by the authorities.
Additionally, applicants are required to have fingerprints and photographs taken and must notify the Head of the Office for Foreigners of any address changes, including email. Failure to update the address means correspondence sent to the old address is still legally valid.
Asylum applicants have the right to appoint a representative for the procedure and can seek support from organizations that assist foreign nationals.
Decision
The asylum granting process concludes with a decision made within 6 months of the application date, extendable to 15 months. This timeframe applies to cases handled by the Head of the Office for Foreigners in the first instance. Applicants can request a re-examination of this first-instance decision by the same authority. Alternatively, without seeking a reconsideration, one can directly file a complaint with the Voivodeship Administrative Court in Warsaw through the Head of the Office for Foreigners.
Language of the procedure
The asylum procedure in Poland is conducted in Polish. The Head of the Office for Foreigners provides Polish translations of foreign documents used as evidence in asylum cases. If further information is needed from an applicant, the Head of the Office for Foreigners may request their attendance at a hearing or submission of explanations. Hearings are conducted in a language the applicant understands, with an interpreter provided by the managing authority.
For assistance or advice on obtaining asylum in Poland, contact our asylum lawyers for a consultation via messenger or by mail or our contact form. We offer comprehensive support, including accompanying you to all authorities and providing expert advice throughout the procedure, help to appeal the refusal.
