Recently, there have been disturbing reports that should be of particular concern to all employers who hire foreign nationals—especially Ukrainian citizens. The Office for Foreigners has issued an official warning regarding a new type of fraud related to obtaining the so-called CUKR residence card.
At NJOB, we help companies legally hire foreign workers on a daily basis, which is why we believe it is essential to provide up-to-date information about risks that may affect both foreign nationals and employers.
New Scams Involving CUKR Residence Cards—What Should You Watch Out For?
The Office for Foreigners has issued a warning about intermediaries offering paid “assistance” in obtaining a CUKR residence card with the following notation:
“Former holder of temporary protection”
What's more, the scammers suggest that:
- Applications can now be submitted,
- Government offices accept documents in paper form,
- and the entire process can be “expedited” for an additional fee.
➡️ This information is false.
As of now, the application process for a CUKR residence card has not yet been launched.
Importantly, in the future, applications will be accepted exclusively online, through a dedicated electronic system developed by the Office for Foreigners.
What will the official rules look like?
According to the agency's statement:
✔️ Submitting the application will be free of charge—no intermediaries involved
✔️ The only costs will be:
- stamp duty – 340 zł
- Issuance of a residence card – 100 zł
✔️ Provincial offices do not accept paper applications
Therefore, any offers to “take care of the matter” should be treated as an attempt at fraud from the very beginning.
What does this mean for employers?
For companies that employ Ukrainian citizens, this situation has very specific consequences.
First and foremost:
✔️ Do not entrust the submission of such applications to any intermediaries
✔️ It is important to clearly inform employees about official procedures
✔️ Use only government sources of information:
- gov.pl
- provincial government websites
In practice, at NJOB we are increasingly encountering situations in which foreign nationals—due to a lack of knowledge or time pressure—fall for false promises of faster processing of their paperwork.
And this could lead to:
- improper legalization of residence
- issues regarding the legality of employment
- Risks for the employer during an inspection
That is why it is so important to be familiar with procedures and to maintain ongoing communication with employees.
The Role and Responsibilities of the Employer:
Although, technically, it is the foreign national who submits the application for a residence card, the consequences of errors often affect companies as well.
Therefore:
- It is a good idea to provide regular training for employees,
- be on the lookout for suspicious offers of “legalization services,”
- and discuss any questions you may have with an experienced partner.
At NJOB, we have been supporting entrepreneurs for years in the process of legalizing the employment of foreign nationals, and we closely monitor changes in regulations and announcements from government agencies.
What should you keep in mind?
✔️ CUKR Residence Card – the process has not yet begun
✔️ Applications will be submitted exclusively online
✔️ It is not possible to “expedite” the process through intermediaries
✔️ Any paid offer of assistance at this stage is likely a scam
A responsible employer is a safe employer—both for their company and for the foreign workers they hire. Partner with a responsible and conscientious partner. Contact us.