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Residence card in Kraków: Małopolski Urząd Wojewódzki
Where to go, how to apply and book, and how long the MUW in Kraków really takes, from the office's own figures. Every fact links to its official source.
Where the foreigners department is
Residence permits for people who live in Lesser Poland (małopolskie) are decided by the Małopolski Urząd Wojewódzki (Lesser Poland Voivodeship Office) in Kraków. These are the addresses and numbers the office publishes for foreigners.
- Wydział Spraw Cudzoziemców (Foreigners Department), postal address
- ul. Przy Rondzie 6, 31-547 Kraków
- INFO.OPT helpline for third-country nationals
- 12 210 20 20, [email protected]
- Free CUKR helpline
- +48 695 005 338
- Department e-mail
- [email protected]
Opening hours change often, so check them on the office page before you go.
Reviews and questions from applicants
Experiences from people who applied at this office, and the questions they ask. These are personal reports, not official figures.
How to apply and book a visit
Since 27 April 2026, applications for temporary residence, permanent residence and EU long-term residence are filed only online, in the MOS system. Paper applications for these permits that reach an office after that date are left unexamined. A few cases still go on paper, for example an intra-company transfer, or family reunification when the family member is outside Poland. The old MOS was switched off on 17 April 2026, so an account from before then does not work: you need a new one.
In Kraków: Applications go through MOS. The office's INFO.OPT site lets you book visits to collect a residence card, replace a card or collect a residence decision.
How long a residence card takes in Kraków
These are the office’s own figures, sent to EEP in writing in reply to our request for public information of 7 October 2026 (letter SC-I.1331.28.2026, 19 Oct 2026). They are averages, not medians, so a few very long cases pull them up.
| Permit | 2025, days | Jan to Sep 2026, days |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary residence (all purposes) | 183 | 250 |
| Permanent residence | 136 | 171 |
| EU long-term resident | 108 | 123 |
| Temporary residence, work | 164 | 229 |
| Temporary residence, studies | 178 | 238 |
Cases still open, as the office reported: 39,227 temporary, 1,033 permanent and 1,781 EU long-term cases on 19 Oct 2026.
By law the office should normally decide a temporary residence case within 60 days, but deadlines in residence cases are suspended until 4 March 2027.
Common problems and what to do
- The old MOS account does not work. The new MOS started on 27 April 2026 and needs a new account, signed in through login.gov.pl. Accounts from the old system were closed.
- Letters you never received. Offices send requests for missing documents and the card collection date to the contact details in your application. The Warsaw office, for example, uses e-Doręczenia (electronic delivery). Keep your e-mail and address current and check them.
- More than 60 days and no decision. This is common. Deadlines in residence cases are suspended until 4 March 2027. Check your status, keep your other deadlines in order, and read what you can do while you wait.
Questions people ask
Where do I apply for a residence card in Kraków?
You file the application online in MOS. The case is handled by the Małopolski Urząd Wojewódzki (Lesser Poland Voivodeship Office). Its foreigners department is at ul. Przy Rondzie 6, 31-547 Kraków.
How long does a residence card take in Kraków?
The MUW told EEP in writing that temporary residence took 250 days on average in January to September 2026 (letter SC-I.1331.28.2026, 19 Oct 2026). That is an average from application to decision, not a promise for your case.
Can I still apply on paper?
Not for temporary, permanent or EU long-term residence. Since 27 April 2026 these applications are filed only online in MOS, and paper ones are left unexamined. A few exceptions remain, such as an intra-company transfer.
Official sources and how we checked
Last checked: 14 November 2026. On 14 November 2026 we read the office pages listed here and copied addresses, numbers and booking links exactly as published. The waiting times come from the office's written reply to our request for public information; the letter reference is given above. We do not use agency or forum estimates on this page.
- MUW: foreigners
- INFO.OPT (MUW project for third-country nationals)
- INFO.OPT: contact
- Pomorski Urząd Wojewódzki, Wydział Spraw Cudzoziemców: MOS notice
- Lubelski Urząd Wojewódzki: MOS information (Act of 21 Nov 2025, Dz. U. 2025 item 1794)
- Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki: notice on the new MOS
- Mazowiecki Urząd Wojewódzki, Migrant WSC: systems you need
- Podkarpacki Urząd Wojewódzki: deadlines for residence decisions
General information, not legal advice. The office decides your case. Found a mistake? Tell us and we fix it in the open.
