For married couples, the interview for a residence card often takes place. In this article, we will share our experience, explain the process – how the invitation arrives, and what frequently asked questions during the residence card interview you might hear from the inspector. It’s important to be prepared for these questions in advance to avoid panic and confusion.
We recommend watching the full interview with Vitalik and Nadia right after their interview.
Invitation for the Interview
The postman delivers a registered letter to your home, which must be signed for. It contains information about the scheduled interview for the residence card at a specific date and time, and both spouses must attend. After some time, the inspector will call to confirm that both must come together. Therefore, if you receive a call from an unfamiliar Polish number after submitting documents for a residence card, it’s best to answer, as returning the call can be difficult.
Questions for the Residence Card Interview for Married Couples
You arrive at the designated time. Due to quarantine, no one is allowed into the office. A security guard meets you at the entrance, announces your names by radio, and escorts you inside. At the information desk, your name is checked off the list, and then the inspector calls you for the “interrogation” one by one. The first person to be questioned is the one applying for the residence card, in this case, it was Nadia. She was questioned for 30 minutes. The inspector recorded her answers on a sheet of paper and compared them with Vitalik’s responses.
The first question is simple – when and where did you meet, your first visit to Krakow. Then the inspector asked for the address: city, street, floor, apartment, number of rooms in the apartment, rental price, duration of stay, whether it is owned or rented, how many apartments are on the floor, and how many neighbors there are. They also ask if everyone in the apartments is living there. Pay attention to such details, as they may come in handy. The inspector also asked for the address of the previous place of residence.
The inspector asked about relatives – parents, brothers, and sisters. Their ages and places of residence. Vitalik’s brother lives in Poland, and the inspector asked about him, his name, and whether he has a long-term or temporary residence card. How long it’s been since you last saw your parents and their last visit to Poland.
Then, they asked about what you did last weekend, where and when you last traveled outside of Krakow, and your trips abroad – countries, cities, and dates.
Nadia was asked about Vitalik’s job, his occupation, the name of the company, what she does now and did in the past, and where she studied (specialty and school name). The inspector asked Vitalik to send the CIT (annual financial report) of the company. So, when applying for a residence card based on business, make sure you prepare all the online documents in advance.
The hardest part is naming specific dates. The inspector also asked if they planned to marry.
When You Return Home
Nadia and Vitalik’s interview went smoothly, as both were foreigners, but different situations can arise. Inspectors may ask about the color of the doors in the apartment, the number of windows and doors, the color of the toothbrushes, what coffee the spouse drinks, what time the husband usually comes home from work, and the last meal for dinner and breakfast.
In cases of marriage (for example, if the husband is Polish) and checking for a fake marriage, they might visit your home. They will check the wardrobes for men’s clothing, underwear, and printed photos (photos on the phone are not considered). You need to provide evidence of domestic life – toothbrushes, hygiene items, razors, etc.
After the Interview
The inspector records your “testimonies” in Polish (in an unreadable handwriting) and gives them to you for review and signature. If you don’t know Polish, you can use a translator (a third party). Then, you wait for the decision to be sent to you by mail. It can take anywhere from 2 days to 4 months to receive the decision. The plastic card will be made within a month after the positive decision. By the way, not everyone is invited to the interview – some may just be issued the card. It depends on luck.
If you are planning to enter the Polish market with your own business, our team can help you develop a strategy and step-by-step plan.
