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For a Polish national D visa and a residence card (karta pobytu) in 2026, the core package is a valid passport, a completed application form, photos, medical insurance, proof of grounds (an invitation, work contract or admission decision), and a sworn Polish translation of any documents issued in Ukrainian. Under the 1993 treaty an apostille is formally not required, yet some offices still ask for it. Below is the up-to-date 2026 list and where to arrange each item.
What Documents You Need for a Poland D Visa and Residence Card: Full 2026 List
The document list for a Polish national D visa differs from the one for a residence card, because these are separate stages: a D visa grants entry and stay for up to a year, while the residence card (karta pobytu) is arranged after entry. For a D visa you need a valid passport, an application form, standard photos, a medical insurance policy, proof of purpose (work, study, family reunification) and financial guarantees. For a residence card you add an application, biometrics, a work contract or enrolment, proof of address and a criminal-record certificate. Ukrainians under temporary protection apply for the residence card electronically via the MOS system and need a UKR PESEL; verify exact requirements on gov.pl, as they are updated.
Sworn Polish Translation of Documents: When It's Mandatory, Where to Get It and the Cost
Polish authorities require a sworn translation (tłumaczenie przysięgłe) almost whenever a document is issued in Ukrainian. Unlike an ordinary one, it carries the stamp and signature of a sworn translator entered in the official register. Note: this register (lista tłumaczy przysięgłych) is maintained by the Ministry of Justice of Poland, not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — a common misconception. A sworn Ukrainian-to-Polish translation for submission in Poland is done by a translator accredited in Poland; Etalon arranges it through such sworn translators, so you don't have to find them yourself. The cost of a sworn translation for Poland starts from a few hundred hryvnias per standard page; the exact per-page price is set by the bureau depending on language, volume and urgency.
Apostille on Ukrainian Documents for Poland: Is It Needed Under the 1993 Treaty and When It's Still Required
Ukraine and Poland are both parties to the Hague Convention, but the bilateral Treaty on Legal Assistance of 24 May 1993 applies between them — under it Poland recognises official Ukrainian documents without an apostille. So formally an apostille is not needed. In practice, however, certain offices (urząd), universities or employers still ask for one, so we recommend checking with the specific institution before you apply. If an apostille is required, different authorities issue it by document type: the Ministry of Justice for civil-registry, court and notarial papers; the Ministry of Education for educational ones (diploma, certificate); the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the rest and for certificates. A criminal-record certificate for the residence card is issued via the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and its validity is limited (often 3–6 months) — order it closer to submission.
We'll prepare the full package end to end — order a sworn translation of documents for Poland from the Etalon bureau.
Frequently asked questions
Do Ukrainian documents for Poland need an apostille?
Formally, no. Under the bilateral Treaty on Legal Assistance of 24 May 1993, Poland recognises official Ukrainian documents without an apostille, despite both countries being parties to the Hague Convention. In practice, though, some offices, universities or employers still require one, so always confirm the requirements with the specific institution before you apply.
Which translation does Poland accept — sworn or an ordinary notarised one?
Poland accepts a sworn translation (tłumaczenie przysięgłe), not an ordinary notarised one. It is produced by a translator accredited in Poland and entered in the register of the Ministry of Justice of Poland. The ordinary notarised translation common in Ukraine is usually not accepted by Polish authorities, so order a sworn translation for submission in Poland.
Can a sworn Polish translation be done in Ukraine?
You can order it, but it is produced by a translator accredited specifically in Poland — Ukrainian bureaus provide this service through their Polish partners. In other words, you submit the documents in Ukraine, while the finished sworn translation is done by a translator accredited in Poland. Etalon handles this, so you won't have to find a sworn translator abroad yourself.
Documents for a D visa and residence card in Poland in 2026 are a passport, application form, photos, insurance, proof of grounds and a sworn Polish translation of anything issued in Ukrainian. An apostille under the 1993 treaty is formally not needed, but check each institution's requirements separately. Etalon (Kharkiv, with a Kyiv office, serving all Ukraine remotely) will prepare the package, arrange the sworn translation through accredited specialists and, if needed, the apostille.
