PolandPoland Permanent Residence Photo: One JPG in MOS, 684 × 883 px, Up to 2.5 MB — 640 zł Fee, 10-Year Card
The permanent residence application goes through MOS with one digital JPG photo — 684 × 883 px, up to 2.5 MB, no older than 6 months. Stamp duty is 640 zł.
Key points
5 points- The application is filed electronically in MOS (Moduł Obsługi Spraw); a current photo in JPG format is a mandatory attachment.
- Voivodeship criteria (Lublin): 684 × 883 px (35 × 45 mm), up to 2.5 MB, taken within 6 months, face 70–80 % of the frame, plain light background.
- No head covering or tinted glasses; a religious head covering is allowed if the whole face is visible, with a statement attached.
- Stamp duty 640 zł; exempt: asylum holders, valid Karta Polaka holders, Brexit posted workers. The card itself: 100 zł (50 zł under 16) in Lublin.
- The permit is indefinite; the residence card is issued for 10 years at a time. You cannot file from abroad.
Looking up the Poland permanent residence photo rules? Since applications moved online, the zezwolenie na pobyt stały is filed in the Office for Foreigners' portal MOS, and the photo is a digital file you attach there — not a print you bring.
The photo in MOS
MOS lists among the mandatory attachments "a current photograph in digital format (JPG)" showing the foreigner's face, without a head covering or tinted glasses, meeting the detailed legal criteria. The Lublin Voivodeship Office spells those criteria out:
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| File | JPG, 684 × 883 pixels (35 × 45 mm), up to 2.5 MB |
| Age of photo | taken no earlier than 6 months before the application |
| Framing | from the top of the head to the top of the shoulders; the face fills 70–80 % of the photo |
| Background | plain and light |
| Pose | frontal, looking straight ahead, eyes open and not covered by hair, natural expression, mouth closed |
| Eyes | clearly visible, especially the pupils; the eye line parallel to the top edge |
| Religious head covering | allowed if the face is fully visible; attach a statement about belonging to the religious community |
PolandPermanent Residence Card · requirements · check a photo
The visit to the voivodeship office
After you send the application, the voivode summons you in person — the appointment is set at least 7 days after the summons is delivered. There you show your valid travel document, give fingerprints and a signature specimen. You come at most twice: for this visit and later to collect the personalised residence card. Children under 6 do not have to appear and do not give fingerprints; a parent shows the child's travel document. If you miss the visit, the case is discontinued.
Fees
- Stamp duty for the permit: 640 zł, paid upfront. Not charged to people granted asylum in Poland, holders of a valid Karta Polaka and Brexit posted workers.
- Fee for issuing the residence card (Lublin office): 100 zł, or 50 zł for children under 16.
Who can apply
Among others: a child of a Polish citizen; a person of Polish origin or a Karta Polaka holder who wants to settle permanently; a spouse of a Polish citizen married for at least 3 years who has lived in Poland continuously for at least 2 years on a temporary permit linked to that marriage (or to protection); refugees and subsidiary protection holders after 5 years. People under temporary protection may apply if they fall into one of these groups. You must file while legally staying in Poland — filing from abroad is not allowed.
How long it lasts
The permit is granted indefinitely. The residence card is issued for 10 years; after that a new card is issued on request, again for 10 years.
Need the JPG photo? Make one to the Polish 35 × 45 mm format on our Poland permanent residence photo page.
06Questions
5 answers01What photo is needed for permanent residence in Poland?
One current digital photo in JPG format attached to the MOS application, without a head covering or tinted glasses.
02What are the pixel and file-size limits?
The Lublin Voivodeship Office lists 684 × 883 pixels (35 × 45 mm) and up to 2.5 MB, taken within the last 6 months.
03How much is the stamp duty?
640 zł, paid when you file. Asylum holders, valid Karta Polaka holders and Brexit posted workers are exempt.
04Do I still have to go to the office?
Yes: you show your travel document and give fingerprints and a signature at the voivodeship office, then collect the card later.
05How long is the residence card valid?
The permit itself is indefinite; the card is issued for 10 years and then renewed on request.
07Official sources
- MOS — Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców: Zezwolenie na pobyt stały
mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl - Lubelski Urząd Wojewódzki — Zezwolenie na pobyt stały (Karta Polaka): photo criteria and card fee
cudzoziemcy.lublin.uw.gov.pl
Author: Yevhen Kravchenko. Published . Checked against official sources on .
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