The launch of the MOS 2.0 system was one of the most significant changes to the process of legalizing the stay of foreign nationals in 2026. The new platform was designed to simplify the application process, reduce paper-based document flow, and, above all, shorten the waiting time for decisions.
After nearly three months of the system being in operation, we can now attempt to draw some initial conclusions.
Although there have been clear improvements, experience shows that digitization alone has not solved the biggest problem—the long wait times for the conclusion of proceedings.
What is MOS 2.0?
MOS 2.0 is an electronic platform that allows users to submit applications for:
- temporary residence permit,
- permanent residence permit,
- EU long-term resident status.
The system was intended to be the next step in the digitization of administrative processes related to the legalization of foreign nationals' residence.
Its main goal was to streamline the processing of applications for both foreign nationals and provincial offices.
What improvements were made?
The first few months of the system's operation have shown several positive changes.
Shorter wait times for fingerprinting
One of the most noticeable improvements is the significant reduction in the wait time for a request to provide fingerprints.
Until recently, many foreigners had to wait as long as several months to reach this stage.
Currently, summonses are often issued about a month after the application is filed.
Fewer paper documents
MOS 2.0 has eliminated the need to submit a significant portion of documentation in traditional paper form.
This simplification reduced the number of administrative steps and streamlined the first stage of the proceedings.
The Example of the Łódź Voivodeship
The best results of the system's implementation are currently evident in the Łódź Province.
Thanks to the creation of a dedicated team responsible for handling MOS 2.0, the processing time for some cases has been significantly reduced.
This shows that technology can yield tangible results when combined with proper work organization.
What remains a challenge?
Despite these positive changes, most systemic problems remain unresolved.
Applications are forwarded to the same teams
In most provincial offices, applications submitted via MOS 2.0 are processed by the same teams that previously handled paper-based proceedings.
This means that submitting documents digitally does not automatically result in a faster decision.
Lack of additional staff
With a few exceptions, government agencies have not decided to set up separate teams dedicated to supporting the new system.
In practice, the number of employees remains roughly the same, while the number of incoming cases is steadily increasing.
The two-month deadline remains difficult to meet
Although the statutory deadline for reviewing a case is two months, in many provinces it remains very difficult to meet this deadline.
Experts point out that it remains a realistic possibility that the proceedings will be concluded within a few months, which would still represent an improvement over current practice.
An additional challenge – supporting CUKR cards
Starting in May 2026, provincial offices were assigned an additional task: processing applications for CUKR residence cards for Ukrainian citizens.
In many provinces, this meant that staff had to be reassigned from the departments responsible for legalizing residency.
As a result, some resources have been redirected to fulfill these new responsibilities, which may lead to longer processing times for other cases.
Did MOS 2.0 live up to expectations?
After three months of operation, it is clear that MOS 2.0 is a step in the right direction.
The system has streamlined the application process and reduced the use of paper documents.
However, this does not mean that it has solved the most significant problem that employers and foreign nationals have been facing for years—the long wait for decisions.
The digitization of forms is not, in fact, the same as the digitization of the entire administrative process.
What does this mean for employers?
For companies that employ foreign nationals, the most important conclusion remains the same.
Planning to legalize your stay should begin well in advance.
Even if the first stage of the proceedings moves more quickly, the wait for the final decision may still be significant.
Therefore, business owners should:
✔ plan staffing well in advance,
✔ ensure that the submitted documentation is complete,
✔ monitor the progress of proceedings,
✔ Take into account possible delays in staffing plans.
MOS 2.0 shows that the digitization of public administration is necessary, but technology alone is not enough to streamline the entire system.
Without adequate staffing and organizational changes, even the best-designed tools will not be able to significantly reduce the time it takes to reach decisions.
For employers, this means one thing: in the near future, it will remain essential to plan legalization processes responsibly and to monitor changes in regulations and government agency practices on an ongoing basis.
After three months of operation, MOS 2.0 is showing its first positive results, particularly in terms of document submission and the organization of the initial stages of proceedings.
However, the greatest challenges facing the system for legalizing residency remain.
Digitization is an important part of the changes, but only the combination of modern tools with adequate administrative resources can lead to a real reduction in the time it takes to reach decisions.