Poland has tightened checks on Ukrainians; there have been cases where protection has been denied
Poland has tightened checks on Ukrainians arriving to work, and is increasingly denying them PESEL UKR temporary protection status. The reason is a more thorough review of the grounds for their stay and the applicants’ region of origin.
As a result, some Ukrainians receive an “NUE” designation instead of protected status, which effectively means they are residing in the country illegally and poses risks for both the individuals themselves and their employers.
In Poland, there are an increasing number of cases where Ukrainians arriving directly from Ukraine to work are being denied PESEL UKR temporary protection status. According to Polish media reports, local authorities have begun to scrutinize more closely whether applicants actually come from regions of active hostilities or have arrived for economic reasons.
The Polish press reported on one such situation: an employer who planned to hire a Ukrainian received NUE status instead of PESEL UKR. Officials explained that the applicant did not meet the criterion of originating from a territory where hostilities are taking place. Businesses and employers say that such cases are no longer isolated. Checks have become more thorough and apply not only to new arrivals but also to those who previously held UKR status but lost it due to a prolonged absence from the country.
In Poland, a PESEL UKR number signifies temporary protection status, which grants the right to residence, medical care, social benefits, and simplified employment procedures. In contrast, the NUE designation indicates an irregular stay, which effectively deprives individuals of certain rights and may put them at risk of being required to leave the country.Lawyers note that even without UKR status, Ukrainians can work under other legal grounds; however, this is more complicated for employers due to additional checks on the duration of stay and immigration status. “With a PESEL UKR, an employer only needs to check a single entry in the registry. In the case of visa-free stays, they must additionally verify the duration of stay and legal grounds,” experts explain.
The situation is further complicated by new rules that are gradually changing the temporary protection system. These rules include shorter deadlines for submitting documents for new arrivals and the requirement to confirm identity for those who received status without a passport. According to the updated regulations, Ukrainians have only 30 days after entry to apply for protection; otherwise, their status may be automatically denied. Furthermore, some current holders of PESEL UKR must verify their identity by the set deadline; otherwise, their status will be changed.
Employers warn that the new measures could impact the labor market, where Ukrainians remain one of the key categories of workers, particularly in construction, logistics, and the service sector. This was reported by Wprost.
