Residence Card “CUKR” for Persons Benefiting from Temporary Protection in Poland — What You Need to Know

What is the CUKR Card and Where Did It Come From?

The residence card bearing the annotation “Former holder of temporary protection” — known as the CUKR card — is a special document that allows Ukrainian citizens residing in Poland under temporary protection (status “UKR”) to obtain a simplified temporary residence permit. This mechanism was introduced via an amendment to the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine and aims to facilitate further legalization of stay for people fleeing the conflict. Legislative assumptions and the implementation schedule are outlined by the Office for Foreigners.

Who Can Apply for a CUKR Card — Key Requirements

To apply for a CUKR card, the law outlines specific formal conditions. The most important are:

• Possession of UKR status on a cut-off date (an amendment indicated June 4, 2025, as the key date for verifying eligibility),
• Having UKR status on the date of application,
• A continuous period of at least 365 days holding UKR status prior to submitting the application.

These rules also apply to minor Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Poland due to the war and received temporary protection — although a different process may apply to children born in Poland (e.g. legal residence of the child and card issuance to the mother are required). Details may vary depending on family circumstances — it is highly recommended to consult official instructions before applying.

How and When to Submit an Application?

According to the Office for Foreigners, the CUKR card issuance procedure was introduced gradually in 2025 along with the launch of a dedicated online application system. Electronic form submission is intended to simplify the process and reduce the need for extensive documentation. In practice, most advisory services and legal offices recommend submitting the application electronically via the platform indicated by the Head of the Office for Foreigners.

Key Benefits of Holding the CUKR Card

The CUKR card provides several significant rights desired by individuals seeking residence stability:

• Validity period — 3 years,
• Full access to the labor market (no need for additional permits),
• Possibility to run a business under the same conditions as Polish citizens,
• A defined timeframe for issuing (or denying) the card — typically within 90 days from the date of complete application submission (details are outlined in guidelines by the Office for Foreigners).

This solution helps facilitate employment and economic stability for individuals who have been under temporary protection for an extended period.

Limitations and Obligations — What to Watch Out for Before Applying

Before applying for the CUKR card, it is worth considering possible consequences:

• Loss of UKR status — issuance and validation of the temporary residence permit (CUKR card) ends temporary protection. This means the person moves to general foreigner residence rules and loses rights tied to the UKR status (e.g. some benefits under the special law may no longer apply). Individuals should consider which rights are more valuable in their specific case.
• Obligation to report a change of residence — the cardholder must notify the voivode (regional authority) who issued the card of any address change within a specified deadline (usually 15 business days),
• Risk of revocation — e.g. if the person leaves Poland for more than 6 months,
• Card invalidation if it is not collected within the specified time (the office may cancel the document after a certain notice period).

In practice, transitioning from PESEL UKR / temporary protection to a CUKR card involves significant legal and social consequences — this decision should be well thought out and planned.

Best Practices Before Applying

1. Analyze your legal and social situation — compare the rights you may lose (e.g. access to specific benefits) with the rights you gain.
2. Check formal eligibility criteria — the 365-day continuity of UKR status and possession of the status on June 4, 2025, are key requirements.
3. Gather necessary documents and prepare for the online process — such as passport, proof of payment, and other documents required by the form.
4. Seek professional advice — if unsure, expert guidance can prevent the loss of critical rights.

Summary

The CUKR residence card is an attractive and simplified route to legal stay for individuals under temporary protection in Poland. Its main benefits are 3-year validity and full access to the labor market. However, applying for the card also has important consequences (such as loss of UKR status and related benefits), so before proceeding, individuals should carefully evaluate their situation and, if needed, consult a professional. Information on requirements and deadlines is published by the Office for Foreigners and has been updated through multiple amendments. The most important amendment specifies June 4, 2025, as the key reference date for checking 365-day continuity of UKR status.

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