How to check residence card status online: all methods in 2025

Submitted your documents for a residence card and now refreshing the page every five minutes? Familiar story. Checking residence card status becomes a daily ritual, and mysterious Polish formulations only add to the stress. We’ve collected all the methods for checking and decoding statuses in one place – you won’t have to guess what’s happening with your application anymore.

Where you can check the status

Checking residence card status can be done in several ways, though not all are equally convenient.

Official voivodeship websites

Each voivodeship has its own system. Some have modern portals with user-friendly interfaces, others have websites from the early 2000s. But they all work (well, almost).

Main systems:

• Mazovian – through portal mazowieckie.pl
• Lesser Poland – e-Urząd system
• Lower Silesian – website duw.pl
• Silesian – portal bip.katowice.uw.gov.pl
• Pomeranian – through gdansk.uw.gov.pl

Unified system (a dream)

They’ve been talking about a unified system for all of Poland for years. So far it remains a dream. Each voivodeship lives its own life, and checking card status in a single database is impossible.

Mobile applications

Some voivodeships have launched mobile apps:

• mObywatel – nationwide, but doesn’t work for residence cards yet
• Regional apps – available in Warsaw, Krakow
• Often just a mobile version of the website

What you need for checking

To check residence card status, you need specific data. Without it, the system simply won’t let you in.

Case number (mandatory!)

This is your main identifier. Looks something like this:

• DUW-WO.6021.1.234.2025.AB
• Or simpler: 234/2025
• Given when submitting documents
• Written on the receipt confirmation

Lost the number? Bad, but not catastrophic – can be recovered at the office.

Additional data

Depending on the voivodeship, they may ask for:

• Surname (as in passport, in Latin letters)
• Date of birth
• PESEL (if you have one)
• Date of document submission
• Access code (in some systems)

Technical requirements

• Modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
• Cookies enabled
• Sometimes – ad blocker disabled
• Patience (sites often lag)

Step-by-step instructions for each voivodeship

Now for specifics – how to check residence card status in different regions.

Warsaw (Mazovian Voivodeship)

The busiest voivodeship, the longest processing times.

1. Go to mazowieckie.pl
2. Look for “Sprawdź status sprawy”
3. Enter case number
4. Add surname
5. Solve captcha (if present)
6. View status

Problems: site often hangs, especially Monday mornings. Updates every 2-3 days.

Krakow (Lesser Poland)

One of the best systems in the country.

1. Go to ekarta.malopolska.uw.gov.pl
2. Register (one time)
3. Log in with username/password
4. See all your cases
5. Can upload documents online

Pros: updates daily, can subscribe to notifications.

Wroclaw (Lower Silesian)

Simple but functional system.

1. Open duw.pl
2. Click “Sprawdź status”
3. Enter case number
4. Done – see status

Feature: doesn’t require registration, works stably.

Katowice (Silesian)

Minimalist approach.

1. Go to bip.katowice.uw.gov.pl
2. Section “Dla klienta”
3. Enter number
4. Get brief status

Minus: little information, only basic status.

Understanding all status meanings

Found your case, saw the status… and understood nothing? Let’s decode Polish bureaucratic poetry.

Good statuses

Złożony – submitted. Documents accepted, case in system.

W trakcie rozpatrywania – under consideration. Someone’s already working on your documents.

Pozytywna decyzja – positive decision. Hooray, congratulations!

Do odbioru – ready for collection. Run to the office!

Karta w produkcji – card in production. Just wait 2-3 weeks.

Neutral statuses

Weryfikacja dokumentów – document verification. Normal process.

Oczekuje na decyzję – awaiting decision. Almost done.

Przekazano do… – transferred to another department. Happens, don’t panic.

Problematic statuses

Wezwanie do uzupełnienia – request for additional documents. Check your mail urgently!

Zawieszono – suspended. Something went wrong, investigate.

Negatywna decyzja – rejection. Not the end of the world, can appeal.

Pozostawiono bez rozpoznania – left without consideration. Serious document problem.

Problems when checking and solutions

Checking residence card doesn’t always work the first time. Let’s solve typical problems.

Website doesn’t work

Classic problem. What to do:

• Try at different time (night/early morning)
• Use different browser
• Clear cache and cookies
• Try from computer, not phone
• Disable VPN if using one

Can’t find case number

Possible causes:

• Case not entered yet (wait 3-5 days after submission)
• Error in number (check every digit)
• Wrong format (try with and without hyphens)
• Searching in wrong voivodeship

Status not updating

Stuck for weeks in one status? Options:

• It’s normal (especially “under consideration”)
• Waiting for response from another office
• Holiday season or holidays
• Large queue of cases

If more than 3 months without changes – call or go in person.

Unclear status

Status in Polish and nothing’s clear:

• Use Google Translate (careful with legal terms)
• Ask in Facebook thematic groups
• Call voivodeship infoline
• Go to office in person

Alternative ways to check status

Online doesn’t work? There are other ways to check residence card.

Phone

Each voivodeship has an infoline:

• Warsaw: +48 22 695 66 67
• Krakow: +48 12 392 15 86
• Wroclaw: +48 71 340 65 67
• Katowice: +48 32 606 32 32

Tips for calling:

• Call after 2:00 PM (shorter queue)
• Have case number ready
• Speak slowly and clearly
• Write down what they say

Email

Can write official inquiry:

• Include case number in email subject
• Attach scan of submission confirmation
• Write in Polish or English
• Response usually in 3-7 days

Personal visit

Most reliable method:

• Take passport and case number
• Go during office hours
• Some offices have separate information window
• May provide more information than online

SMS notifications

Some voivodeships offer paid SMS:

• Costs 10-20 PLN for entire period
• Get notifications about changes
• Set up when submitting documents
• Doesn’t always work reliably

Useful tips and life hacks

Years of suffering have taught people clever tricks. Sharing the experience.

Optimal checking frequency

No need to check every hour! Optimally:

• First 2 weeks – every 3 days
• After a month – once a week
• After 3 months – every 2 weeks
• Set a calendar reminder

Create a tracking system

• Start a file/note with status history
• Record date and status
• Take screenshots of important changes
• Save all correspondence

Use automation

• Browser extensions for auto-refresh
• Page change notifications
• IFTTT or Zapier for advanced users

Connect with others

Facebook and Telegram are full of groups:

• “Residence card Warsaw/Krakow/Wroclaw”
• People share timelines and experience
• Can learn about voivodeship problems
• Help with status translations

Questions and answers

How many days after submission does the case appear in the system?

Usually 2-5 working days. In season (September, January) can be up to 10 days. If more than 2 weeks pass – call.

What does “how to check residence card status” mean if there’s no internet?

Go to the office in person or call. You can also ask friends to check online if you give them the case number.

Can you check someone else’s case?

Technically yes, if you have the number. But information is limited – only basic status, no details. For full information need power of attorney.

Why different systems in different voivodeships?

Poland is a decentralized country. Each voivodeship decides which system to use. A unified system is planned, but when it will be ready – unknown.

Status changed to “do odbioru” but no letter?

Normal situation. Letter can take 1-2 weeks. If you can’t wait – go to office with passport, usually they let you collect.