MOS 2.0 (Case Handling Module 2.0) – what is it and how to submit an application online?
Author: Krzysztof Graman Founder of the Polish Residence Center. On a daily basis, he handles cases related to the legalization of residence and employment of foreigners in Poland and represents foreigners before administrative authorities.
The article was prepared based on legal regulations and official materials of the Office for Foreigners.
Legal and factual situation as of April 19, 2026.
MOS 2.0 – what is the Case Handling Module 2.0?
MOS 2.0 (Case Handling Module 2.0) is a new ICT system of the Office for Foreigners (UdSC) that enables the submission of selected residence applications online. In practice, this means a transition from a paper-based application model to an electronic one.
From April 27, 2026, applications for temporary residence, permanent residence, and EU long-term resident permits are, as a rule, submitted electronically via the UdSC portal. However, it should be noted that some temporary residence cases have been excluded from this procedure and still require submission in paper form.
The operation of the MOS 2.0 system is governed by Articles 225a–225i of ustawy o cudzoziemcach (the Act on Foreigners)¹ (hereinafter: the Act).
Case Handling Module 2.0 – which applications can be submitted online?
In accordance with the Act, MOS 2.0 is used to submit applications online for:
- zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy, w szczególności: 1.1 pobyt czasowy i pracę; 1.2 pobyt czasowy w celu wykonywania pracy w zawodzie wymagającym wysokich kwalifikacji (Niebieska Karta UE / Blue Card); 1.3 pobyt czasowy w celu kształcenia się na studiach; 1.4 pobyt czasowy w celu prowadzenia działalności gospodarczej;pobyt czasowy ze względu na inne okoliczności;
- a permanent residence permit,
- an EU long-term resident permit.
MOS 2.0 – which applications are still submitted in paper form?
Despite the launch of MOS 2.0, not all temporary residence cases can be submitted electronically. Applications for a temporary residence permit are still submitted in paper form for:
- for the purpose of employment as part of an intra-company transfer;
- for the purpose of long-term mobility of a managerial employee, specialist, or trainee, within an intra-corporate transfer;
- if the foreigner concerned by the application is staying outside the territory of Poland:
3.1 for the purpose of family reunification;
3.2 for a family member of a Polish citizen, a citizen of an EU Member State, or a citizen of the United Kingdom covered by the Withdrawal Agreement;
3.3 for a foreigner maintaining family life, within the meaning of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, with a Polish citizen, a citizen of an EU Member State, or a citizen of the United Kingdom covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.
These are statutory exceptions to the rule of electronic submission of residence applications.
How to submit an application via MOS 2.0 step by step?
Below we describe what submitting an application via MOS 2.0 looks like in practice.
Step 1. Create an account in the MOS system
To begin the procedure, a foreigner must create an individual account in
the MOS system. An account may also be created by:
- a parent of a minor foreigner;
- a legal guardian of a foreign national;
- a court-appointed guardian for an unaccompanied minor foreign national.
Creating an account on the MOS 2.0 portal requires registration via login.gov.pl. In practice, this means that using the system requires an active Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) and a PESEL number.
Before starting to submit an application via MOS 2.0, it is therefore advisable to ensure in advance that you have:
- obtaining a PESEL number;
- setting up and activating a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany).
Practical tip: the account in the MOS system must be assigned to the correct person. Without logging in via login.gov.pl, it will not be possible to proceed to the next stages of the application process.
Step 2. Select the correct type of application
In the system, you should select the appropriate procedure:
- temporary residence;
- permanent residence;
- EU long-term resident status.
Step 3. Complete the data and attach supporting documents
MOS 2.0 allows for submitting an application together with attachments in electronic form. The data is then transferred to the so-called MOS Preliminary Database, where the voivode verifies the correctness of the form and any formal deficiencies.
In some cases, simply attaching a scanned document will not be sufficient. If the application requires an attachment to be signed by an employer, an educational institution, or the organizer of an internship or volunteer work, such a document must be signed electronically or with a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) and submitted via the MOS system. Without the required signature, the system will not allow the application to be submitted successfully.
When completing the application, you will need to provide the email address of the employer or university, and the system will send a link to the appropriate attachment to be completed and signed. The link will be valid for 30 days.
Practical tip: attachments should be legible, complete, and compliant with the requirements for the given case. All paper documents must first be converted into digital form, i.e. a scan or a clear, high-quality photo. It is also worth paying attention to the system’s technical limits: the maximum size of a photograph is 2.5 MB, the maximum size of a single other attachment is 10 MB, and the total size of all attachments must not exceed 50 MB. For the application photo, the JPG file should be at least 684 × 883 pixels while maintaining proportions of 35 × 45 mm. Illegible, incomplete, or oversized files may result in a request to correct formal deficiencies.
Step 4. Sign the application electronically
After completing the data and adding the attachments, the application must be signed electronically and submitted through the system. In practice, for most users, the key tool here will be the Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany), used by login.gov.pl to verify identity and sign electronic documents.
Practical tip: the electronic signature must be provided by an authorized person. Assistance in preparing the application is allowed, but this does not mean that another person may log in and sign the document on behalf of the foreigner using their credentials.
Step 5. Submit the application via MOS
After signing and submitting, the application is sent to the system. Once the form has been correctly submitted, the user can download an Official Acknowledgement of Receipt (UPO). Technical statuses may also appear in the system, such as “Awaiting synchronization” and “Submitted.” The “Submitted” status means that the application has been transferred to the system and you should wait for the further stages of the procedure.
Practical tip: once the application has been submitted, it cannot be withdrawn or edited independently in the MOS system. Therefore, before signing the form, it is advisable to carefully verify the accuracy of the data, the completeness of the documents, and the consistency of the application content with the appropriate basis for residence.
Step 6. Wait for further actions by the authority
Submitting an application online does not, unfortunately, eliminate the need to visit the office. In such cases, it is still necessary to:
- in-person appearance;
- presentation of original documents;
- fingerprint collection;
Practical tip: after submitting the application, it is advisable to regularly check correspondence and respond to any requests from the authority. Submitting the form via the portal does not yet complete the entire procedure.
What happens after submitting an application via MOS 2.0?
Submitting an application online does not mean the procedure is completed. After the application has been verified and approved by an employee of the Voivodeship Office (UW), the foreigner will be able to download from the system a certificate of submission of an application for a residence permit, which will replace the previous stamp in the passport. This certificate will confirm the legality of stay in the territory of Poland, but it will not entitle the holder to cross the border.
In the further course of the proceedings, the voivode will request the foreigner to:
- appearance in person;
- presentation of a valid original passport;
- submission of fingerprints and a specimen signature;
- supplementing the information contained in the application;
- submission of additional documents.
Practical tip: after submitting the application, it is advisable to regularly check correspondence and respond to requests from the authority. Submitting the form via MOS does not eliminate contact with the Voivodeship Office and does not exempt you from further obligations in the case.
Is MOS 2.0 mandatory?
Yes, for cases covered by the MOS system, applications are submitted exclusively electronically via the MOS portal. However, some temporary residence cases have been excluded from the system and still require the submission of a paper application.
What should you do if MOS 2.0 is not working?
The Act provides a solution in the event of a system failure. If a malfunction of MOS makes it impossible to submit an application on time, it may be submitted no later than on the third working day after the failure has been resolved. In such a case, the application is considered to have been submitted on the first day of the system malfunction.
This is a very important safeguard for individuals who submit an application towards the end of their period of legal stay. However, it should be remembered that information about system failures, planned technical maintenance, and the restoration of the portal’s operation should be published on the website of the Office for Foreigners (UdSC)².
Does MOS 2.0 mean the end of paper applications?
No. MOS 2.0 introduces the principle of electronic submission for many residence applications, but not all. Some temporary residence cases still require the submission of a paper application.
The most common problems when submitting an application via MOS 2.0
- no PESEL number – without it, creating a Trusted Profile and accessing the system may not be possible;
- no Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany)– without logging in through login.gov.pl, the process cannot be completed;
- problems with login.gov.pl – issues with logging in or signing the application may make it impossible to submit it within the deadline;
- no electronically signed attachment from the employer or university – in certain cases, the system will prevent the application from being submitted successfully without it;
- incorrectly scanned attachments – illegible scans, missing documents, or oversized files may cause formal issues;
the mistaken assumption that everything can be done without visiting the office – after submitting the application, a visit to the Voivodeship Office may still be required.
- the mistaken assumption that everything can be done without visiting the office – after submitting the application, a visit to the Voivodeship Office may still be required;
Don’t you have a PESEL number or a Trusted Profile?
We can assist you with this. Get in touch with us.
Key information about MOS 2.0 – summary
MOS 2.0 / Case Handling Module 2.0 is a new portal for submitting residence applications online. From April 27, 2026, applications for permanent residence, EU long-term resident status, and, as a rule, temporary residence are submitted via the UdSC electronic portal, with statutory exceptions. The user must create an account, complete the data, attach documents, and sign the application electronically. In some cases, it will also be necessary to obtain an electronically signed attachment from the employer, university, or the organizer of an internship or volunteer work. In the event of a system failure, the Act provides protection of the deadline.
Do you have questions or need support with submitting an application via MOS 2.0? Contact us – we will help you prepare the documents and guide you through the procedure step by step.
FAQ – most frequently asked questions about MOS 2.0
1. What is MOS 2.0?
MOS 2.0 is the new Case Handling Module, an ICT system used to submit selected residence applications online in Poland.
2. Since when has MOS 2.0 been in operation?
According to official announcements, the system was launched on April 27, 2026.
3. Which applications can be submitted via MOS 2.0?
Applications for the following can be submitted via MOS:
- temporary residence;
- permanent residence;
- EU long-term resident status.
4. Is a Trusted Profile required for MOS 2.0?
Yes, registration in the MOS system and signing the application are carried out using methods available on login.gov.pl.
A qualified electronic signature is permitted for signing the application; however, it does not allow you to create an account in the MOS system.
5. Is a PESEL number required for MOS 2.0?
Logging into the MOS system is carried out via login.gov.pl. Since setting up a Trusted Profile requires a PESEL number, in practice a PESEL is necessary to use the system.
6. Does an attachment from the employer or university have to be signed electronically?
Yes. If a given case requires an attachment to be signed by the employer, university, or the organizer of an internship or volunteer work, such a document must be signed electronically or with a Trusted Profile and submitted via the MOS system. Without the required attachment, the system will block the possibility of submitting the application.
7. Can an application be submitted via MOS 2.0 without leaving home?
The application can be prepared and submitted online, but in many cases personal appearance at the office may still be required, for example to present documents or provide fingerprints.
8. Can an application be corrected after being submitted via MOS 2.0?
No. After signing and submitting the application, the MOS system does not provide for the possibility to withdraw or independently edit it. Therefore, before signing the form, it is advisable to carefully verify the data, attachments, and the basis for residence.
9. What happens after an application is submitted through MOS 2.0?
After submitting the application, the user can download the UPO. Then, once the application has been verified and approved by an employee of the Voivodeship Office, a certificate of submission of the application will appear in the system. This certificate confirms the legality of stay in the territory of Poland, but it does not entitle the holder to cross the border. In the further course of the proceedings, the voivode will also request the foreigner to appear in person, present a passport, provide fingerprints, or submit additional documents.
10. What should you do if the MOS system is not working?
If a system failure prevents the application from being submitted on time, the Act allows it to be submitted within 3 working days after the issue has been resolved, with effect from the date of the failure.
You should ensure that the failure has been officially announced by the Office for Foreigners (UdSC). Otherwise, the authority may refuse to accept the application. In case of technical issues, contact us.
11. Is MOS 2.0 mandatory?
Yes, for the specified categories of permits, applications must be submitted exclusively electronically via the MOS portal.
12. Can an attorney (authorized representative) assist with submitting an application via MOS 2.0?
Yes, the support of a professional representative can be very helpful at the stage of selecting the basis for residence, preparing documents, and verifying the correctness of the application.
However, they may not log into the MOS system on behalf of the foreigner using their Trusted Profile, nor sign the application using someone else’s data. Using another person’s electronic identification means or electronic signature may result in a fine, restriction of liberty, or imprisonment of up to 3 years. The legal basis is provided by Articles 40 and 40a of the Act on Trust Services and Electronic Identification³. The Office for Foreigners (UdSC) and the gov.pl portal also advise not to share login credentials for login.gov.pl with anyone.
Do you have questions about MOS 2.0?
During the consultation, we will explain step by step how to submit the application, what documents to prepare, and what to avoid. Contact us and sign up for a consultation.
Legal basis:
Ustawa o cudzoziemcach z dn. 12 grudnia 2013 r. (Dz. U. 2025 poz. 1079 t.j.)
Office for Foreigners (Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców) – information about MOS 2.0
Office for Foreigners (Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców) – Q&A regarding MOS