Ukrainians currently residing in Poland on the basis of a visa, residence card, or visa-free travel that has been extended by the Act are advised to contact an immigration specialist to discuss their options for obtaining residency rights on another basis (e.g. Temporary Protection or an employer-sponsored permit), before the Act expires.
On August 25, 2025, President Karol Nawrocki of Poland announced a veto on amendments to the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine (“the Act”), which had been approved by the government the previous month. Among other provisions, the Act safeguards the residency rights of Ukrainian nationals who are staying in Poland under expired visas, residence cards, or visa-free travel. The Act, in its current form, allows these individuals to continue to reside and work legally in Poland until September 30, 2025. If, by this date, the President does not sign an amendment into law extending the Act’s validity, Ukrainians relying on the Act will lose their legal right to stay and work in Poland from October 1, 2025. The President is expected to propose his own amendment to the Act; however, it may not be introduced in time or may fail to address the extension of the aforementioned residency rights.
Temporary Protection status-holders are not affected
Ukrainians residing in Poland on the basis of Temporary Protection are not impacted by the expiration of the Act. The validity of their residency rights is governed by the recent EU Council Implementing Decision 2025/1460, which has extended Temporary Protection until March 4, 2027.
Other residency statuses
Ukrainian holders of other valid residency statuses are also not immediately impacted – their permits will remain valid until the permit’s expiration date.
This news alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific guidance or further information, please contact Newland Chase directly.
