Foreigners In Warsaw Are Holding A Rally To Protest The Long Wait For Residence Permits
- 24.08.2026, 9:00
- 1,534
The city authorities approved the event.
On August 24, a rally will be held in downtown Warsaw to protest the delays in processing cases regarding the legalization of foreign nationals. The event is scheduled to take place in front of City Hall at Plac Bankowy 3/5 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The organizers informed the editorial staff of vitrina.pl that the rally has already been approved by the Warsaw City Hall.
The campaign is organized by the recently formed civic initiative Głos Migranta.
“Someone close to me faced long waiting times. We’ve gone through almost every level of the system, but the only response has been silence. Meanwhile, a foreign national who, after waiting three years for a residence card (residence permit—ed.), went to the district office holding a sign had his case reviewed almost immediately. That man’s action inspired me. And now, to draw attention to the problem, we want to gather people in front of the Mazovian Regional Office who have also faced lengthy processing times. The event is completely legal—we submitted an application to the Warsaw City Hall and received approval to hold the rally on August 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.,” the organizer told Vitrina.pl.
Participants in the initiative emphasize that foreigners have to wait 12, 18, or even more months for a decision. During this time, problems arise with traveling abroad, conducting business, and simply planning their daily lives.
One of the main demands of the protest is the repeal of Article 100d of the so-called Ukrainian Special Statute. Currently, this provision applies not only to Ukrainians. It suspends the processing deadlines for a wide range of cases involving foreigners handled by regional governors, including applications for temporary and permanent residence permits and EU long-term resident status. The provision’s validity has been extended until March 4, 2027.
Moreover, during this period, the standard provisions regarding administrative inaction and procedural delays do not apply to such proceedings. It is precisely this situation that the rally organizers are protesting. They are demanding a return to the standard case-processing deadlines set forth in the Polish Code of Administrative Procedure (KPA).
“We are fulfilling our part of the social contract and are not asking for privileges. We demand an end to indefinite delays, a return to the KPA’s standards, and basic respect for our rights,” the organizers state.
Separately, the organizers of the protest highlight the contribution of foreigners to the Polish economy. According to the latest data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), approximately 1.12 million foreigners were working in Poland in January 2026—7.1% more than a year earlier.
The rally is registered as a peaceful public gathering. The organizers invite foreigners, regardless of citizenship, as well as Poles who support the rally’s demands, to join.
When: August 24, 12:00–14:00
Where: Plac Bankowy 3/5, Warsaw
Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims
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