Job Discussion Forums

redsoxfan · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 178 Location: Dystopia

When I said one needs a promise of work, I was assuming that we're talking about English teachers. There are indeed a number of other conditions that make one eligible for a KP, but I certainly don't meet any of them. I'm not retired, not a refugee, I don't have family here, I'm not rich, etc. I've never heard of getting a KP because of an unmarried partner here, but that's interesting. The list posted at the Poznan Urzad Wojewodzki certainly doesn't mention such a condition. Although, I should say, I've seen a different list on the internet, and it wouldn't surprise me if different UW's have different lists, due to basic disorganization and ignorance.

freudling1000 · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 50

Ahh, good old Alex.

Obviously nobody is clear with specifics on how to get a work permit if you are a non-EU citizen. I wouldn't expect it though.

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553

the new guy · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 127

hi there. I'm a new TESOL teacher in PL. I'm from North America. I arrived here on a visitor visa in Sept, although i just had my passport stamped upon entry.

this whole work permit/work visa discussion is mind boggling. One person saying this....the other saying that....a PL gov't webpage saying runaround sentences that are completely ambiguous. My PL collegues can't even decipher and relate what they have read.

I've talked with a local American teacher, and he confirmed that i can only be here for 90 days at a time as a visitor. So i need to leave for a day or 2 then come back. He's been doing that since January. No problems. He is working here without a permit/visa like myself.

My school has me "working" as a "trainee" and as such i am not "receiving any compensation". I should note that i am employed at a private language school.

They know nothing about the KP.

Schools i interviewed all said that they would not get a work permit/work visa because of the cost and time it took to get completed.

Some schools wanted me to start a business and then i could invoice them. But i need to be a PL citizen for that i'm sure. PLus you are taxed at 750PLN per month as a sole proprietor i've found out.

I am renting an apartment, no permit needed for that.

So i just wish that there was some concrete info on this whole permit/visa thing. I don't want to get screwed and when doing my 90 day renewal, get denied entry and lose all my items in my apt.

Thanks for all the info brought forward.

prettyizzy · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 8

New guy,

Are you new to Europe, as well?

I empathize and feel your frustration, however, having lived in France, where bureaucracy was invented Laughing

, I�ve learned to roll with the punches. In Poland there is the added dose of ambiguity, where �the right hand does not know what the left one is doing� (I received one reply from the Polish government and diametrically opposed one from the Polish Consulate in Chicago). But that is not necessarily all bad � it allows for some rule bending and custom interpretation of the law.

Your situation is not unique. You must be aware that there are thousands, if not hundred of thousands of Americans working illegally in Poland with no serious consequences.

My advice to you would be to 1. get creative, 2. develop thick skin, 3. never take �NO� for an answer (it�s just the beginning of a negotiation).

Welcome to Eastern Europe.

prettyizzy · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 8

New guy,

Are you new to Europe, as well?

I empathize and feel your frustration, however, having lived in France, where bureaucracy was invented Laughing

, I�ve learned to roll with the punches. In Poland there is the added dose of ambiguity, where �the right hand does not know what the left one is doing� (I received one reply from the Polish government and diametrically opposed one from the Polish Consulate in Chicago). But that is not necessarily all bad � it allows for some rule bending and custom interpretation of the law.

Your situation is not unique. You must be aware that there are thousands, if not hundred of thousands of Americans working illegally in Poland with no serious consequences.

My advice to you would be to 1. get creative, 2. develop thick skin, 3. never take �NO� for an answer (it�s just the beginning of a negotiation).

Welcome to Eastern Europe.

freudling1000 · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 50

Although I am only looking to do business, not teach english, I know some guys teaching english.

I recently confirmed: non-EU English Teachers: you can only stay for 90 days at a time, even though the work permit requirement is dropped. If you want to work and stay longer, you need to file papers and pay money. No idea on the process. Schools, some, are obviously recluctant. So this doesn't really change non-EU citizens' situation.

As for leaving and entering back into the country, I would NOT recommend this. I did it, and was shooken up a bit. They asked me all kinds of questions and I never entered back in. The Consulate confirmed that, by law, you are allowed to stay 90 days over a 6 month span. So by law, if you stay 90 days, leave, then come back in a few days, they don't have to let you back in.

Pollux · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 224 Location: PL

Why do you insist on posting on a teachers' forum and giving info which doesn't pertain to us or prospective teachers?

the new guy · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 127

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553

freudling1000 · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 50

Alex is right.

Pollox, free world, and THIS INFO IS RELEVEVANT TO TEACHERS. This is a good forum for people doing business in Poland.

What Alex is saying is correct. Notice in my wording, which was the wording of the consulate, that they DON'T HAVE TO LET YOU BACK IN after you try to get back in only a few days after your 90 days is up. It is totally a crap shoot. By law they can refuse your entry. So obviously this is not a good course of action to take if you are involved in employment in Poland.

Yes, people do it all the time, but there is no certainty that they will let you back in. The best thing to do is get a long-term, multiple entry visa which allows a non-EU citizen to enter mulitple times for stays up to 365 days at a time. You need this before you go.

Pollux · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 224 Location: PL

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553

redsoxfan · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 178 Location: Dystopia

You don't need to get a visa in your home country. I'll be filing my application on Monday right here in Poznan, it'll be sent to Warsaw, back to Poznan, and that's it.