Asylum in Poland – the application process and key stages

Last updated: 11 March 2026

Introduction:
Poland is an important destination for asylum applications, especially for citizens of the CIS countries, due to its geographical location and membership in the European Union.

Today, I will explain in detail the asylum application process in Poland and all the key stages:
1. Submitting an application.2. Hearing at the Office for Foreigners (UDSC).3. Appeal.4. Court proceedings.5. Submitting a new application.

This material will help you understand what to expect at each stage of the process and how to properly prepare your case.

1. Applying for asylum

The process of applying for asylum in Poland begins with registering the application.

At the border or at the airport

• If you submit your application at the border or at the airport, it will be registered by Border Guard (Straż Graniczna) officers.

• After registration, you are directed to the temporary accommodation centre (Ośrodek dla Cudzoziemców).

Inland

• If you are already in Poland, you can submit your application at the Office for Foreigners (Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców, UDSC) or at your local Border Guard.

Submission stages:

1. Registering the application with the Straż Graniczna or UDSC.

2. Submission of biometric data.

3. Obtaining a temporary document allowing you to stay in Poland until your application is processed.

Submission deadlines:

• An application for asylum must be submitted as soon as possible after arrival in the country.

What documents are required?

• Passport or other identification documents.

• A detailed description of the reasons why you cannot return to your country.

• Evidence of threats (threatening letters, subpoenas, medical records, expert reports).

2. Processing your application at the UDSC

After registration, your application is processed at the Office for Foreigners (UDSC).

What happens at the UDSC?
1. You are scheduled for an interview where you must explain the reasons for your application.2. The interview will be conducted with an interpreter, if necessary.3. You can provide additional evidence, including an expert report.

What is important to know about the interview?
• The interview will record the main circumstances of your case.• You must explain your story in detail and provide evidence.

Outcome of the examination:
• If the application is approved, you will be granted refugee status (uchodźca) or subsidiary protection (ochrona uzupełniająca).• If the application is rejected, you can appeal.

3. Appeal
If your application is rejected, you can appeal the decision to the Foreigners’ Affairs Board (Rada do Spraw Uchodźców).

The appeal process:
1. The appeal must be submitted within 14 days of receiving the refusal.2. You can submit new evidence, including an expert report.

What happens at Rada do Spraw Uchodźców?
• The Board reconsiders your case based on the evidence provided.• The Board’s decision may overturn the refusal or confirm it.

4. The Role of the Expert Report
An expert report is an independent document prepared by an expert to confirm the reality of the threats in the applicant’s country.

The objectives of the report are:
1. Confirming the context: Describing the current situation in the applicant’s country: political instability, repression, conflict.
2. Strengthening the evidence base: Substantiating the risks for the applicant and the impossibility of safe return.
3. Using authoritative sources: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UN.

The expert report plays a key role at all stages:
• At the application stage: It helps the UDSC understand the situation in the applicant’s country.
• In court: The report allows the judge to see the full picture.
• On appeal: It points out errors in the previous decision or confirms new circumstances.

Russia and CIS Expert: Assistance in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan

My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I am an expert on human rights , political repression, and social abuses in the CIS countries. My work focuses on providing objective and professional expert witness reports for asylum seekers in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union. I specialize in analyzing and presenting evidence supporting the risks of persecution in the former Soviet Union.

My achievements:

• Over 100 successfully prepared expert witness reports for asylum applicants from CIS countries, including Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – at the appeals and initial application stages.
• Collaboration with leading US and UK law firms, including the preparation of reports that have become key evidence in successful asylum cases.
• Winner of the Expert Witness Awards 2024 in the category "Best Expert on Immigration Issues".
• My in-depth knowledge of the legal and political situation in the CIS countries allows me to objectively assess the risks of political persecution, human rights violations, and other factors affecting the safety of applicants.
• Recognition as a respected expert in the field of human rights and political repression, including inclusion in the Experts for Immigration and Justice (EIN) database: https://www.ein.org.uk/experts/kharitonov

Having gone through the asylum process myself, I understand how important it is to present the court with a complete and accurate picture of what happened.

If you are looking for a professional expert on political asylum issues from the CIS countries, my services will help you prepare a strong and compelling case for your clients.

How I prepare an expert report:

• Analysis of the General Situation: I examine the political, religious and social conditions in the applicant's country of origin, including repression, persecution, human rights violations and other threats.
• Analysis of the applicant's circumstances: I study the statement, interview, provided documents and the decision of the court or immigration authority.
• Research: I use international and local sources, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN , and local media. I support every fact with references using the OSCOLA methodology.
• Compliance with standards:
• My reports are strictly regulated and comply with the guidelines set out in the Upper Tribunal's Practice Direction on Expert Evidence.
• Having accepted responsibility for the analysis and preparation of the report, I confirm the accuracy of all facts presented and the correctness of the opinions expressed.

Declaration of Truthfulness:

At the end of each report, I sign a declaration confirming that all information presented is based on reliable sources and that the opinions expressed are my own.

Liability to Court:

• My professional remuneration is not dependent on the outcome of the case, which guarantees objectivity and the fulfillment of my duty to the court.
• In some cases, I may be called to court to provide evidence regarding circumstances in the appellant's country of origin.

— Maxim Kharitonov

How to contact me
: Email: info@thehuman-rights.com

Application on the website:
thehuman-rights.com

Working hours:

• I respond to requests within 1 hour.

• I prepare reports within 1 week, including complex and extensive cases.

5. Appeal to the Council of State (Conseil d'État)
If your appeal is rejected, you can file a complaint with the Conseil d'État, France's highest court.

When is this possible?
A complaint is filed in the event of legal errors or procedural irregularities at the CNDA.

The filing process:

• The complaint must be filed within 2 months of the CNDA refusal.
• The court may overturn the CNDA's decision and remand the case for retrial.

6. New application (réexamen)
If all previous attempts have been unsuccessful, you can submit a new application based on new circumstances.

What do you need for a new application?

• New evidence confirming the change in the situation in the country.
• Expert report substantiating the relevance of the threats

7. Fresh Claim
If all the previous steps fail, you can file a Fresh Claim.To do this, you need:

• New evidence that significantly changes the essence of the case.
• An expert report confirming changes in the situation in the country.

Conclusion:
The asylum application process in France is complex, but with the right preparation and support, you have every chance of success.

An expert report is a key tool to help you explain your story and justify the risks.

Contact me:

• Email: info@thehuman-rights.com
• Web: thehuman-rights.com