Job Discussion Forums

wojbrian · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 178

How do you get a work permit while in Poland?

I have heard that it is possible but more difficult then doing outside of the country.

scottie1113 · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 375 Location: Gdansk

What nationality are you and will you work as an English teacher? How long do you plan to stay in Poland?

wojbrian · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 178

I am from the US. I plan on starting work in September through the end of the next teaching year.

I hope to have a job before I go and do my paperwork here.

scottie1113 · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 375 Location: Gdansk

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

MS, I know you did a successful border run to restart the 90 days, but isn't that technically a violation? I think the official Schengen zone rules are 90 in, 90 out - and I suspect that your successful border run was based on luck, rather than current law.

IF I'm correct (correct me if I'm wrong, by all means) the visa run might or might not work again/for someone else. Shocked

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Where is the violation?

I stayed in Poland for 80 days and then left Schengen and came back in 2 days. I'm allowed to return to Poland as long as I haven't overstayed the 90 limit.

Because you're supposed to stay out for 90 days before re-entering, they technically shouldn't have let you back in. Staying away only 2 days was a technical violation.

I realise that border police have lots of power, and can bend the rules if they wish - but that is nothing for some newbie reading this thread to count on!

wojbrian · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 178

What I was told is that there is a pre-existing agreement with Poland and the US. Supposedly, someone from the US only has to leave Poland and not the EU.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

If correct, that's good. Master Shake went to Ukraine, though, so he did leave the EU. I kind of doubt that it's going to work to leave Poland for, say, the Czech Republic or Germany. That would mean that it's difficult (perhaps impossible) to get a stamp in your passport, as border security is optional inside the zone.

But to further clarify - leave for less than 90 days? That's the thing that appears to be a violation of Poland's membership in the Schengen zone.

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I'm an American living in the Netherlands - a Schengen zone country where the rules are strictly applied Shocked

You get 90 days out of 180. So, if you're in the zone for a week, you still have 83 days in the six-month period.

Leaving for 2 days after 80 is technically a violation - the 90-in-180 rule is not being applied.

Anyway, border security can basically do what they want, and I'm not justifying the laws - they are a hassle!

My only point is that if some newbie is reading through this and thinks that he/she can make a border run and re-start the 90 day thing - well, maybe yes and maybe no, depending on who happens to run the security check that day and his/her mood.

sparks · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 632

I can't believe it's still not clear. If you're in for 80 and leave you can come back and have 10 more days. After that, once you leave again they MAY catch you. I've been asked for further documentation at the airport several times. The karta pobytu covers this. If you leave shortly before your time expires then come back, this technically should not "reset" your time. Luckily the civil servant at the foreigner's office probably has no idea about E.U. law so you may get lucky.

Technically what you are entitled to as soon as you submit your application, even if it is not complete is a visa in your passport which will allow you to stay longer while your application is being reviewed/you are gathering the rest of your documents. Again, you may have to ask/demand this as the foreigner's office may not give it to you.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I can't believe it's still not clear. If you're in for 80 and leave you can come back and have 10 more days. After that, once you leave again they MAY catch you.

Exactly. Thanks for saying it more clearly than I did.

In Poland, the answer is apparently 'may' catch you - in some other countries (like the Netherlands), it's more likely to be 'will probably.'

Again, I'm glad it all worked ok for MS - I'm just a bit worried that a newbie reading this thread will get the wrong idea and could get into trouble.