Ukrainian citizens coming to Poland are increasingly being refused PESEL numbers with UKR status. According to information provided by employers and business support organizations, some offices have changed their interpretation of temporary protection regulations.
The problem is causing growing concern both among Ukrainians themselves and companies employing foreigners – I’m writing “Dziennik Gazeta Prawna”. UKR status remains a key instrument enabling legal residence and work in Poland under simplified conditions.
Offices are analyzing applications more carefully
According to businessmen, officials are increasingly verifying whether a given person actually left Ukraine because of warfare or whether the main reason for coming was the desire to work.
In practice, this means a more detailed analysis of each case. Offices pay particular attention to:
- persons from regions of Ukraine where there are no active military operations;
- Ukrainian citizens who came to Poland through other safe countries;
- persons who already have international protection or other forms of legalization of stay in European Union countries.
Employers indicate that the number of similar cases is systematically increasing, which may complicate the process of hiring new employees.
UKR status gives a wide range of rights
Temporary protection status provides Ukrainian citizens with a number of important rights. Individuals with a UKR PESEL number can legally reside in Poland, access public healthcare and social benefits, and work without having to go through more complicated administrative procedures.
The loss of the opportunity to obtain this status may therefore significantly affect both the living situation of refugees and the functioning of enterprises using their work.
The problem also applies to people returning to Poland.
Experts point out that the difficulties aren’t limited to new arrivals from Ukraine. Individuals who previously held UKR status but lost it due to extended stays outside Poland are also increasingly facing problems.
After returning to the country, some of them are refused reinstatement of their previous rights, even though they previously benefited from temporary protection.
Additional obligations for employers
Changes in administrative practice do not mean a complete closure of the labor market to Ukrainian citizens. Current regulations still allow the employment of individuals legally residing in Poland, including those without UKR status.
In such cases, however, employers must more thoroughly verify the legality of the employee’s stay. While checking the PESEL register is sufficient for a UKR PESEL number, for visa-free stays, it is necessary to establish the date of entry into Poland, the length of stay, and compliance with all requirements arising from migration regulations.
Uncertainty in the labor market
Businesses emphasize that the more restrictive approach of some offices may lead to increased uncertainty for both Ukrainian workers and employers. Given the continuing demand for foreign workers, the issue of uniform application of temporary protection regulations is becoming increasingly important for the Polish labor market.
source: Dziennik Gazeta Prawna / Nowiny Wschodnie
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