Current Processing Times (March 2026)
Processing times vary significantly by voivodeship and case type. The legal deadline is 60 days (KPA Art. 35) but is almost never met. The administrative deadline suspension that was in effect until March 5, 2026 has now ended — ponaglenie and court complaints are available again for cases exceeding 60 days.
| Voivodeship | Student | Work | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazowieckie (Warsaw) | 3-6 months | 4-10 months | 6-12+ months |
| Malopolskie (Krakow) | 2-4 months | 3-6 months | 4-8 months |
| Dolnoslaskie (Wroclaw) | 2-4 months | 3-6 months | 4-8 months |
| Wielkopolskie (Poznan) | 1-3 months | 2-4 months | 3-5 months |
| Slaskie (Katowice) | 2-4 months | 3-8 months | Up to 36 months (backlog) |
| Lubelskie (Lublin) | 1-3 months | 2-5 months | 3-6 months |
| Lodzkie (Lodz) | 2-4 months | 3-6 months | 4-8 months |
| Pomorskie (Gdansk) | 1-3 months | 2-4 months | 3-5 months |
Warsaw handles roughly 40% of all TRC applications nationwide. Katowice has the worst backlog — some cases exceed 3 years. Poznan is consistently among the fastest offices.
Burman Robinson, whose caseload is predominantly Warsaw-based, reports the median work TRC processing time in Warsaw at approximately 4-5 months. Complete applications with pre-verified documents process significantly faster — a single missing document adds 6-8 weeks.
Why Delays Happen
Incomplete documentation: #1 cause. Triggers a formal request, adding 4-8 weeks minimum.
MOS v2.0 transition: Technical issues and workflow changes as offices adapt to digital-only processing.
Seasonal peaks: September-November highest volume (student applications + annual renewals).
Employer issues: Appendix 1 errors, missing KRS, salary mismatches.
Inter-agency queries: ABW (security), Border Guard, tax authority checks — each adds weeks.
Staff shortages: Despite government plans for 250 additional case officers, most offices remain understaffed.
How to Speed Up
Submit a complete application with all documents verified before submission. Respond to office requests immediately (usually 7-day deadline). Apply during off-peak months (November-February). Choose a faster voivodeship if you have address flexibility (Poznan, Gdansk). After 60 days — file a ponaglenie (see Acceleration Guide).
Sources: UDSC statistics; KPA Art. 35-37; Voivodeship Office data; Dz.U. 2026 poz. 203; practitioner case records.
Last updated: March 2026. Part of TRC Guide.
Last updated: March 2026. Part of TRC Guide — free, independent immigration information.