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Poland: Information from 1994 to present on the entitlements and restrictions conferred upon holders of permanent residence permits

In telephone interviews on 9 and 11 October 1996, a lawyer with the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights in Warsaw who works with aliens and refugees provided the following information. Holders of permanent residence cards generally have the same rights as Polish citizens, and have the same access to work, education, social welfare and health care as Polish citizens. However, holders of permanent residence cards are unable to work in occupations that require Polish citizenship, such as judges, and they require special permission from the Ministry of Health to work as doctors. They cannot vote or be elected to office. They can exit and return to Poland if they have valid foreign passports, and if they do not, they may be issued Polish travel documents that will allow them to do so.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Warsaw. 11 October 1996. Telephone interview with lawyer who works with aliens and refugees.

_____. 9 October 1996. Telephone interview with lawyer who works with aliens and refugees.

Topics: Residence permits, Refugee travel documents,