Warsaw, 31 August 2026
We have sent the Ministry of the Interior and Administration a proposal concerning the duration of residence proceedings.
Our starting point is the observation that a significant part of the time passes before the case even reaches substantive examination. The Supreme Audit Office (NIK), in its audit P/23/069, found office inactivity lasting up to 448 days before the first action was taken. According to legalisation firms, the summons to submit fingerprints alone currently takes at least six months.
The digitisation of application submission does not shorten this stage — as pointed out by the Deputy Ombudsman in a submission of 17 July 2026.
What we propose
Outsourcing technical steps to an external operator: receiving applications, taking fingerprints, completing documentation and issuing ready cards. Decision-making remains the exclusive competence of the Voivode; the scope of control remains unchanged.
This model has operated in Polish administration for years — in visa proceedings external service providers accept applications and collect biometric data, while only the consul issues the decision. We are therefore not proposing an experimental solution, but transferring a tested structure to another category of cases.
The solution requires a statutory amendment — current legislation does not provide for such a possibility.
What we asked the Ministry
We asked the Ministry two things: whether an analysis of such or a similar solution has been carried out so far, and if so, with what result; and whether the Ministry is considering conducting one.
We will publish the response in full — whatever it may be.