Office for Foreigners

The Head of the Office for Foreigners carries out the following tasks as the central body of government administration:

•  examines appeals against the decisions issued by voivodes in cases related to the legalisation of stay - residence permits for foreigners, visas and invitations, registration of residence and the right of permanent residence of citizens of the European Union and their family members, and also inspects the voivodes in this regard;
• carries out consultations on visas and exchanges visa information with other Member States;
• conducts cases related to granting and refusing international protection for foreigners – international protection (refugee status, subsidiary protection), asylum, temporary protection and conducts proceedings under the Dublin Regulation;
• ensures social and medical assistance for foreigners who apply for international protection;
• manages information systems.

Moreover, the Head of the Office for Foreigners continuously improves customer service, modernises its own infrastructure, develops IT systems and facilitates access to digital services, develops partnership relations with other institutions and organisations dealing with migration issues, both domestically and internationally, provides expert support to countries under particular migration pressure. It also disseminates knowledge on migration issues.