A foreigner who has obtained a voivodeship annual visa can change employers, but it will take time. The new invitation is issued by the new employer, not by the worker themselves, and the process typically takes 2–4 months on average.
Who Initiates the Change and What You Need to Do
The key difference between changing employers on a voivodeship visa and changing a work permit is that the new authorization is not initiated by the worker themselves, but by the employer. The worker only needs to find a new employer willing to hire them and agree on the terms of employment. After that, the employer independently submits the documents for the new voivodeship invitation. The worker receives only the completed documents.
The notification to the voivodeship will be handled by the new employer. The worker plays only the role of a job applicant.
Why Employers Are More Willing to Hire If You Are Already in Poland
If a person is already in Poland or has already obtained a voivodeship work visa, employers are much more willing to hire them. This is related to risk: when a potential employee is still in their country of residence, it is unclear whether they will obtain a visa, whether they will reach Poland, whether they might change their mind, or whether they might go to another European country.
For an employer, changing a worker represents significant risks. The official fee for issuing an invitation is 400 zlotys, or approximately 100 dollars. If a candidate is already in Poland, the risks are minimal, and the employer is more willing to open an invitation.
The Main Disadvantage: Waiting for the New Invitation
The biggest challenge in the process of changing employers is the waiting period for the new invitation. The procedure is the same as when initially applying for a voivodeship invitation. The employer must submit documents for the new invitation, and the average waiting time is 2–3 months, sometimes up to 4 months.
A second problem: while the new invitation is being processed, the employer cannot officially hire you. You cannot work officially, although the invitation is being prepared in parallel. Some employers do practice this unofficially, but this carries risk. By law, you must wait for the completed invitation before starting work.
A Third Nuance: The Inability to Test Each Other
While the new invitation is being processed, the employer cannot test you as a worker or determine whether you can fully perform the job. In turn, you cannot understand whether this job is really suitable for you.
Ideally, you should first visit the new employer’s facility, observe how the work is organized, and, if possible, try to perform part of the work or observe how officially employed workers perform it. This will help you make an informed decision, considering that you will have to wait 2–3 months for the new invitation.
The Optimal Strategy for Changing Jobs
The best approach is to continue working for your old employer while the new invitation is being processed. In parallel, you search for a new employer and negotiate with them. While the new employer is preparing the invitation, you earn money from the old employer, live at their workplace, and don’t waste time. When the new invitation is ready, you resign from the old job and move to the new one.
This allows you to maintain your income, not waste time, and give the new employer time to complete all necessary documents.
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