Ukrainians who came to Poland because of the war can get a PESEL number with UKR status, which gives them access to the labor market without additional permits. Many of them, however, encounter problems during verification at municipal offices and hear that they do not meet the required conditions. The Ministry of Interior and Administration explains that some of these difficulties stem from delays in data flow between the Border Guard and local governments.
The special PESEL with UKR status is available to people who arrived in Poland due to the Russian invasion. In practice, as “Dziennik Gazeta Prawna” reports, they are increasingly facing resistance from officials. They often hear that they do not come from a zone directly threatened by the war – at least that is what the information held by the clerks suggests.
Nadia Winiarska, deputy director of the labor market department at the Lewiatan Confederation, explains that Ukrainians at the border declare that their arrival is linked to the war. Despite this, offices claim that the proper annotation in the registry is missing, confirming that the person came to Poland as part of an evacuation.
Why do officials reject applications?
Possession of the UKR PESEL number allows one to take up employment in Poland without having to obtain a separate work permit, which usually takes months to process. Polish municipalities are supposed to issue the PESEL with UKR status until March 4, 2027. However, since March 5, the rules for granting this status have been standardized. According to official guidelines, only people covered by temporary protection can receive it. But before the number is issued, a verification is carried out – the municipal clerk checks each application in the Border Guard database.
It often turns out that the necessary annotation is missing. The Ministry of Interior and Administration explains that this is sometimes due to delays in the transfer of information between the Border Guard and municipal offices. The ministry’s press office stated that offices must take into account possible delays of up to 24 hours in the flow of data.
What this means for Ukrainians and the labor market
The situation creates uncertainty for thousands of Ukrainian citizens who legally reside in Poland and want to work. The lack of a proper PESEL status means they cannot be employed formally, which pushes some into the gray zone or forces them to wait months for a final decision. Employers also face problems – they cannot verify the legal status of potential employees quickly.
Nadia Winiarska adds that the problem mainly affects those who crossed the border in the first months of the war. At that time, Border Guard officers often did not enter the precise annotation about evacuation, and now the data reconciliation takes time. The Ministry of Interior and Administration assures that it is working to improve the system and reduce the verification bottlenecks. Meanwhile, Ukrainians are advised to have documents confirming their crossing and to apply for the PESEL again if they receive a negative decision.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock/Bumble Dee
