CUKR residence card: how to apply through MOS
CUKR is a three-year temporary residence card marked “Poprzednio posiadacz ochrony czasowej” (former holder of temporary protection). It is meant for people who currently live in Poland with PESEL UKR status and want to stay longer than temporary protection lasts. Applications are online only.
Who can apply
People with an active PESEL UKR status: Ukrainian citizens and their family members who arrived after 23 February 2022, and children born in Poland after that date.
Applications open on 4 May 2026; the last day is 4 March 2027, when temporary protection ends. Applying early is safer: the system is usually overloaded in the final weeks.
How much it costs
Two separate payments to different accounts: 340 zł stamp duty (opłata skarbowa) for the permit itself and 100 zł for issuing the card. Proof of both transfers is attached to the application — without them it will not go through.
Check the account numbers on the website of your urząd wojewódzki (voivodeship office): each voivodeship has its own.
What to prepare
- Your PESEL number with UKR status and a valid passport.
- A recent digital photo in document format.
- Two payment confirmations as PDFs or screenshots from your bank.
- A way to sign the application: Profil Zaufany, a qualified electronic signature, or signing in person at the voivodeship office.
Step by step
- Register on mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl and confirm your email address.
- Create a new application (wniosek) and choose the temporary residence permit for former holders of temporary protection (CUKR).
- Fill in your details: personal data, passport, address in Poland, contact details. The interface is available in Ukrainian, but enter your data in Latin letters exactly as in your passport.
- Add the photo and both payment confirmations.
- Check the application and sign it — Profil Zaufany is the easiest way.
- Save the official receipt (UPO). Then watch for messages in your MOS account and by email: the office will tell you when and where to collect the card.
Good to know
- The CUKR card is a separate route. An ordinary residence card (based on work, studies or family) has a different procedure.
- While temporary protection is in force, you stay legally on the basis of your UKR status even if your application is still being processed. For what applies after 4 March 2027 to people whose applications have not been decided, check the current announcements from UdSC (the Office for Foreigners).
- Mistakes in personal data are the most common cause of delays. Compare the spelling of your name with your passport before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for CUKR on paper?
No, only electronically through the MOS portal. The application can be signed with Profil Zaufany, a qualified electronic signature, or in person at the office.
How long is a CUKR card valid?
Three years. It gives the right to live and work in Poland without a separate work permit.
What happens if I do not apply by 4 March 2027?
Temporary protection will end, and you will need another legal basis to stay — an ordinary residence card or a visa.