Fake immigration 'agents': don't overpay for your karta pobytu
Quick answer
No one can 'guarantee' a positive decision on your residence — the voivodeship office (wojewoda) grants it under the law. Be wary of 'agents' who charge high fees and promise results. You can handle most of the paperwork yourself or with free help from specialised NGOs.
How they operate
They present themselves as “visa or residence experts”, often via social media, and offer to guarantee your karta pobytu in exchange for high fees. In reality your case follows the same official route it would without them, and no one can guarantee the outcome.
Warning signs
- They guarantee a favourable decision.
- They ask for a lot of money up front.
- They rush you and create a sense of urgency.
- They don’t clearly explain what exactly they do for you.
The reality
The decision on your residence is made by the voivodeship office (urząd wojewódzki) under the law. An intermediary can help you organise documents, but cannot “guarantee” anything. And much of the procedure you can do yourself — see the residence card guide (in Spanish).
How to protect yourself
- Distrust any “guarantee” of a result.
- Seek free, verified help from NGOs (see Resources).
- Don’t hand over your original documents without understanding why.
- Compare: many doubts are resolved with official information from the UdSC.
Where to turn
If you spot abuse, you can report it to the Office for Foreigners (UdSC). For free legal advice on your case, contact the organisations in the Resources directory.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to charge for help with paperwork?
Who helps for free and reliably?
Sources
- 1.Office for Foreigners (UdSC) — organisations that help foreigners (Ocalenie, SIP, Halina Nieć Centre…) — Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców
- 2.Residence is granted (or refused) by the voivodeship office (wojewoda), under the law — Wielkopolski Urząd Wojewódzki