Moving to UK from Poland: Visa & Immigration

Overview of Moving to UK from Poland

Polish nationals form one of the biggest ethnic minorities in the UK today, with an estimated 700,000 Polish-born people or people of Polish descent in the UK as of 2021.

Polish is also the second-most spoken language in England, and the third-most spoken language in the whole of the UK, after English and Welsh.

It’s therefore no surprise that Polish culture and influence on contemporary British life is widespread, especially so after Poland joined the EU in 2004. Many major British towns and cities have Polish communities, with Polish food shops being a common sight in many urban areas.

Even after the UK’s departure from the EU, Polish migration continues through schemes such as the EU Settlement Scheme and the UK’s various visas. Polish citizens can travel to the UK using one of these visas, with a variety of long- and short-term options available to suit applicants.

Moving to UK for Short-Term Visit

If you’re a Polish national moving to UK for short visit or temporary work, there are a range of visa options available to you.

Firstly, note that Polish citizens visiting the UK for less than 6 months will not need to apply for a visa. You must, however, adhere to the Standard Visitor rules while in the UK, which include restrictions on being able to take up employment or claim public funds.

If you do wish to work in the UK however, there are a wide variety of temporary work visas available that allow for short-term work visits to the UK. These include the following:

• Seasonal Worker visa
• Charity Worker visa
• Creative Worker visa
• Youth Mobility Scheme visa
• Government Authorised Exchange visa

Note that this type of work visa is often only available to specific applicants who work in certain industries, such as horticulture and poultry production for the Seasonal Worker visa, or voluntary work for the Charity Worker visa. Because of this, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the eligibility criteria for each visa before applying.

Moving to UK for Long-Term Work from Poland

If you wish to work in the UK long-term with a view to settle permanently, there are a number of potential routes available.

The first of these is the Skilled Worker visa, which is the UK’s general work visa for applicants from a range of industries and professions. It allows you to come and work in the UK, as long as you have a valid job offer from an employer who can act as your sponsor, and as long as you meet minimum salary, job and English language requirements.

While the Skilled Worker visa is generally open to different types of workers, there are also visas targeted at workers in specific industries, and for different purposes. These include the following:

• Health and Care Worker visa
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa
• Scale-up Worker visa
• Minister of Religion visa
• International Sportsperson visa

As these visas are targeted at specific niches, it’s once again important to familiarise yourself with the eligibility criteria before applying to ensure that you’re eligible for your chosen visa.

All of these visas will allow you to apply for permanent settlement in the UK through indefinite leave to remain.

Moving to UK to Join Your Family

If you already have certain family members who are living in the UK (and you’re not eligible to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme), you may be eligible to move to the UK with a Family visa.

A Family visa will allow you to settle in the UK long-term with an eligible family member. Your family member must have some form of settlement in the UK, such as through British or Irish citizenship, or settled or pre-settled status.

Family members you can join in the UK include the following:

• Spouses, civil partners or unmarried partners of at least 2 years
• Fiancés, fiancées or proposed civil partners
• Children
• Parents
• Relatives who’ll provide long-term care for you

Polish citizens need to provide a wide range of evidence to be eligible for this visa, such as evidence showing that your relationship between you and your family member is genuine. You may also have to prove that you meet accommodation, financial and English language requirements, depending on which type of Family visa you wish to apply for.

All types of Family visa will allow you to eventually apply for permanent settlement in the UK.

Spouse Visa UK from Poland

If you’re married or in a civil partnership and your spouse is already living and working in the UK, you can apply for a UK Spouse visa to join them.

Considered a route to permanent settlement, this visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 33 months and can be extended for up to 5 years. After 5 years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as permanent residency.

Requirements

In addition to the general requirements, to be eligible for the Spouse visa, you and your partner must meet the Spouse visa requirements set out by the UK’s Home Office. For example, you must both be over the age of 18 and intend to live together when you move to the UK.

Your spouse must have either of the following:

• British citizenship.
• Settled status.
• Pre-settled status. (As per Brexit rules).
• A Turkish Businessperson Visa or Turkish Work visa.
• Protection status.
• Permission to stay as a stateless person.

Your relationship must be recognised as genuine by the Home Office, and you should be married, in a civil partnership, or have been living together for at least 2 years before your application date. If you have been in a relationship for at least 2 years but are not living together because of work/study arrangements, you may still qualify, so long as you can provide evidence.

In addition, you must meet the financial requirements. Currently, the rules state you and your partner must have a combined income of at least £29,000 per year, unless your partner claims disability or carer’s benefits.

You may be exempt from meeting the financial requirement if you originally applied before 11 April 2024 and are applying to extend your visa.

The Application Process

Applicants should apply online for a Spouse visa through the UK government’s website.

If you are applying from inside the UK, you should get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. If you’re applying from outside the UK, you should receive a decision within 12 weeks of your application

Study Visa UK from Poland

As a Polish national, if you want to study in the UK, you will need a Study visa. The UK Student visa is temporary and does not offer a direct route to settlement. However, it can be used as a long-term option, depending on your study plans.

A Study visa lasts for up to 5 years if your course is degree level, or up to 2 years if it is below degree level. It can be extended or switched depending on your circumstances. For example, if after 5 years you want to continue to study in the UK, you can apply for a Graduate visa and eventually go on to apply for ILR. The long route to residency takes up to 10 years, however, all time spent on a Student/Graduate visa counts when applying for permanent residency.

Requirements

To be eligible, you must meet the general requirements for a visa, and the course you intend to study must meet certain criteria. For example, your course must be held by a licensed sponsor and be one of the following:

• A full-time course leading to a qualification below degree level with at least 15 hours of daytime study.
• A full-time course leading to a qualification at degree level or above, or the equivalent, that is being delivered as part of a longer overseas course.
• A part-time course that leads to a qualification above degree level.
• An English language course at least level B2 or above.

In addition, you will also need to:

• Hold a certificate of sponsorship from the educational institution you intend to study with.
• Hold a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number.

To be successful, applicants must normally also meet the financial requirements. Currently, the rules state you must have the money to pay for the first year of your course and prove you can support yourself for up to 9 months whilst in the UK. However, under the differential evidence requirement rules, as a Polish national, you do not need to prove you meet the financial requirement, unless you’re asked to do so.

The Application Process

Applications should be made online through the UK government’s website, where you will need to complete the application forms, verify your identity and upload any supporting documents. If you’re applying from outside the UK, you should get a decision within 3 weeks; if you’re applying from inside the UK, you should receive a decision within 8 weeks.

Requirements for Polish Citizens Moving to the UK

If you’re a Polish national and want to apply for a visa to enter the UK, you must meet the general requirements as set out by the UK Home Office. For example, you must be able to verify your identity and prove your Polish nationality. You must also:

• Be a valid passport holder.
• Have a good knowledge of the English language.
• Have a satisfactory criminal record.
• Pay any fees and additional charges (such as the healthcare surcharge) as per your visa conditions.
• Provide any requested documents to support your visa application – all documents must be written in English or Welsh. If your documents are in another language, you must supply certified translations at your own cost.

Can Poles Apply for the EU Settlement Scheme?

The EU Settlement Scheme is the main way that EU residents, including Poles, can settle in the UK post-Brexit.

Although the main deadline for applicants for the scheme was 31 June 2021, you can still apply for scheme as long as one of the following apply:

• You have a Polish (or other EU) family member who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
• You’re exempt from immigration control, or you stopped being exempt from immigration control after 30 June 2021
• You’re already in the UK with limited leave to enter or remain in the UK (such as if you’re here on a work or study visa) which expires after 30 June 2021
• You’re a family member of a British citizen who you lived with in the EU
  • You must have lived with them in that country by 30 December 2020, and returned to the UK with them

You may also still be eligible to apply if you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for not applying before the main deadline, such as if you had a medical condition that prevented you from applying, or you were the victim of domestic violence or modern slavery.

Settlement Options in the UK for Polish Nationals

There are various routes you can go down to move to the UK from Poland permanently; the one you take will depend on your circumstances. Depending on your visa conditions, you may need to be resident in the UK for at least 5 years before you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residency). Once you have been granted ILR, you may go on to apply for full British citizenship.

If you want to work or study, it is wise to find a job or placement well in advance of applying for a visa. To find out what visa may be suitable for you, call IAS today on +44 (0)333 414 9244. Or contact us online at iasservices.org.uk, where we can provide professional help and support.

Stress-Free Relocation Assistance for Moving to UK from Poland

As experienced immigration lawyers, alongside our visa and residence services, we offer comprehensive packages including relocation services.

We can help you pre-plan your move, for example, we can find you temporary accommodation or help you manage the sale of your home. We can advise and organise the shipping of belongings (including pets) and help you sort out any legal matters before you enter the UK.

We can advise you on any potential issues, such as dealing with the UK’s education system, help with orientation or integration, and provide you with our settling-in services, for example, contacting the DVLA.

Click https://iasservices.org.uk/international-relocation/ to view a list of the relocation services we offer.

Moving to the UK from Poland – Checklist

Before you enter the UK, you should check:

• You have sought the advice of an experienced immigration lawyer.
• Your visa application form is filled out fully and correctly. Mistakes can lead to delays and refusals. If your visa is refused, you may have to reapply and pay the application fee again.
• All documents supplied with your visa application are up to date, valid, and free of errors. Errors in documents can cause visa refusal.
• You have the finances you need to make your move a reality.
• You have suitable accommodation to stay in when you enter the UK.

How Can IAS Help?

Hundreds of thousands of Polish nationals have immigrated to the UK in the past few decades, establishing a significant network and community of Polish expats across the country.

If you’re a Pole looking to move to the UK from Poland, whether for long- or short-term purposes, IAS can help.

We are a team of expert and professional immigration lawyers working within the UK and internationally. Our legal advisers are on hand to help you with any issue or concerns you may have about immigration or migration, regardless of your circumstances or background.

Whether you’re a Polish national looking for routes to work in the UK, join your spouse or family member, need assistance with the visa application process or just need to talk to an immigration professional regarding your own personal situation, we can help.

We can also help if you’re an international student looking to obtain a UK Student visa, or a Settlement visa for your relatives.

For the latest information about the services we offer, and to find out more about what we could do for you, get in touch with us today. Call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244, or contact us online.