Karta CUKR in Poland for Ukrainians — Complete 2025 Guide

The karta CUKR (formal name: "zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy dla obywatela Ukrainy") is a special residence permit available only to Ukrainian citizens who hold an active temporary-protection status (PESEL UKR) at the time of filing. Introduced by the "specustawa o pomocy obywatelom Ukrainy" in March 2022 and reworked in 2024–2025, it now grants a three-year residence permit without comparing salary to the minimum wage and without requiring a specific basis such as employment or business.

Below — what distinguishes CUKR from an ordinary karta czasowego pobytu, who it actually suits, how to obtain it in 2025, and what happens after temporary protection expires in March 2027.

At a Glance: CUKR vs Regular Karta Pobytu

The main advantage of CUKR is the freedom to change employers without notification and faster processing. The main risk is that its existence depends on a political decision to extend EU temporary protection (uncertain after March 2027).

Who Is Eligible for CUKR

Conditions (Ustawa o pomocy obywatelom Ukrainy, art. 38-1):

1. Ukrainian citizenship — confirmed by a Ukrainian passport
2. Active UKR status — that is, a PESEL with the UKR marking (issued after 24 February 2022 and not expired)
3. At least 365 days of continuous UKR status at the moment of filing
4. A current basis for staying in Poland — work, business, study, family, or simply the temporary-protection regime itself

If your PESEL UKR was issued six months ago, wait six more. If a child's UKR was activated at birth in Poland, file as soon as the 365-day threshold is reached.

Step 1. Document Preparation

The base set is minimal compared with a regular karta pobytu:

• Completed wniosek (via MOS v2.0)
• Scan of the Ukrainian passport (photo page + propiska page)
• Scan confirming PESEL UKR (available from the mObywatel app)
• Two biometric photographs 35 × 45 mm
• Confirmation of opłaty skarbowej payment of 100 PLN
• Proof of accommodation in Poland (lease, meldunek, or umowa użyczenia from resident acquaintances)

For minors — add the birth certificate with sworn translation (about 50 PLN).

No employer Załącznik nr 1, no ZUS confirmations, no PIT-11. CUKR is the simplest in terms of documentation.

Step 2. Filing via MOS v2.0

Since December 2025, filing is exclusively via mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl. Login via your Profil Zaufany (mandatory for CUKR — this is the same system Polish citizens use).

In MOS v2.0:

1. Create a case of type "Wniosek o wyrobienie CUKR"
2. Complete basic data (most autofills from PESEL UKR)
3. Attach 4 files (passport, PESEL, photograph, payment confirmation)
4. Sign with Profil Zaufany
5. Receive UPO with case number

From the UPO, you are exempt from the standard legal-stay requirements of an ordinary karta — you already hold PESEL UKR + UPO.

Step 3. Biometrics and Waiting

Biometrics for CUKR in Mazowieckie take place at the standard locations: al. Solidarności 81 or ul. Kruczej 5/11. The summons arrives via eDoręczenia, usually 30–45 days after UPO.

Waiting time for the decision — 3–6 months in Mazowieckie in 2025. Substantially faster than a regular karta czasowego, because the voivode processes CUKR in a separate queue with simplified procedure.

Step 4. Card Collection

After a positive decision (delivered to eDoręczenia):

• 7 days to pay 100 PLN for the physical card
• Card is printed in 7–14 days
• Personal collection in Mazowieckie at ul. Marszałkowska 3/5

The card is valid for 3 years from the issue date. You may work for any employer (no attachment), run a business, study, travel within the Schengen area — all rights are the same as on a regular karta czasowego pobytu, plus the freedom to change jobs without notification.

What Happens After CUKR Expires

CUKR is for 3 years; afterwards you choose a path:

1. Apply for karta stałego pobytu (if 5 years of combined UKR + CUKR are accumulated and you have passed B1)
2. Apply for a new CUKR (if temporary protection is still active)
3. Switch to a regular karta czasowego pobytu (if you have a basis — work, business, family)

As of 2025 it is unclear what will happen to temporary protection after March 2027. If it is not extended, a subsequent CUKR may not be possible, and you will need to switch to a regular karta.

Realistic Timeline in Mazowieckie in 2025

Most Common Mistakes When Applying for CUKR

1. Filing before 365 days of UKR. The wniosek will be returned as "niespełnienie warunków".
2. Using an old PESEL (without UKR marking). The PESEL must be issued with UKR, not "ordinary".
3. Ignoring eDoręczenia. The voivode may request uzupełnienia (e.g., a current meldunek).
4. Filing from the country of citizenship. CUKR can only be filed from inside Poland.
5. Duplicating procedures. If you already hold a regular karta czasowego pobytu, you cannot file CUKR in parallel. Annul the old one first, then file the new one.

When You Need a Lawyer

You can manage CUKR independently if PESEL UKR is in order, you have Profil Zaufany, and you understand how MOS works.

A lawyer makes sense if:

• You had a UKR break (Poland departure exceeding 30 days)
• You are changing meldunek dzielnica during the application
• You want CUKR plus immediate stałego pobytu application (5 years already accumulated)
• A previous refusal or returned application exists
• A minor without parents present in Poland

At LegalWin we have been processing CUKR since its introduction. Average time from first consultation to filing — 7 days; average time to card collection — 130 days.

Order CUKR processing →

This article is informational. Specific timelines and decisions depend on your situation. For individual cases, consult a lawyer for assessment.

Related articles:

• Temporary Residence Card in Poland 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
• Karta stałego pobytu — Permanent Residence in Poland 2026
• Legalisation in Poland: Pathways for Foreigners in Warsaw
• Service: karta pobytu and full legalisation support