A certificate instead of a stamp
Since 27 April 2026 the office no longer stamps your passport. After reviewing your application it issues a filing certificate (zaświadczenie o złożeniu wniosku), which you download from MOS. It confirms legal stay in Poland until your case ends — and nothing more.
Leaving: yes. Returning: not on the certificate
The Polish Border Guard explains that proof of a pending application lets you leave Poland but doesn't authorise re-entry or travel in the Schengen area. To return you need a separate basis:
- a valid visa (e.g. a national type D visa),
- unused visa-free days,
- a valid residence card from another Schengen country.
The 90-in-180 rule
Visa-free stays and Schengen C visas are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays on a voivode stamp also count towards this limit. Count back 180 days from your planned entry date. Stays on a residence card or D visa don't count.
Leaving and your case
Leaving doesn't close your case automatically, but you must attend when summoned, e.g. for fingerprints. Failing to attend can lead to discontinuance. For the CUKR card, leaving for more than 30 days after 5 March 2026 excludes you from the procedure.
When it's better not to travel
- before your fingerprint appointment,
- while waiting for a request for documents,
- if you have no visa or visa-free days,
- if you're applying for CUKR.
Planning a trip? Message us before booking
We'll check your basis for returning, your days within the 90/180 limit and your case stage — so you don't end up unable to get back to work and family.
How to count 90 in 180
Take your planned entry date and count back 180 days. Add up all days spent on a C visa, visa-free and on a voivode stamp in that period, using your entry and exit stamps. If it's over 90, you can only enter with a residence card or a national D visa.
A D visa as a safe option
If you travel often, a valid Polish national D visa gives you a basis to return regardless of the certificate. If your case may take long, sort out the visa before filing.
Collecting the card and travel
After a positive decision you collect the card in person. Only with a valid card can you freely return to Poland and travel in Schengen within the 90/180 limit.