The Poland Business Harbour (PBH) is a strategic initiative by the Polish government designed to streamline the relocation and integration of foreign IT professionals, start-ups, and established businesses into Poland’s dynamic market.
This article provides a detailed overview of the program’s objectives, eligibility criteria, and practical steps for obtaining the PBH Visa, which is instrumental for non-EU nationals seeking to contribute to and benefit from Poland’s growing IT industry.
We examine the key advantages of the program, including the accelerated visa process, the ability to establish and operate a business with relative ease, and the inclusion of immediate family members for a holistic relocation experience.
Who is subject to the Poland. Business Harbour program?
According to the program’s assumptions, Poland. Business Harbour targets for three categories of entities:
- for individual IT specialists,
- for start-ups
- for already functioning companies (small, medium and large enterprises).
How does Poland. Business Harbour work? How to get PBH Visa Poland?
Poland Business Harbour is a package of solutions dedicated to specialists in the modern technology industry who are considering the possibility of transferring their business to Poland, establishing a start-up related to the IT industry in Poland or planning to take up employment in this industry in Poland.
One of the elements of the package is also support in the form of connecting entrepreneurs with investors and awarding grants for research and development activities.
To use it, one of the following conditions must be met:
- technical education in the field of IT confirmed by a document or documented minimum one-year work experience in the IT industry,
- possession of a document confirming the willingness to be employed by one of the partner companies listed on the website: https://www.gov.pl/web/poland-businessharbour/specjalista-it#.
Poland. Business Harbour – objectives of the program
The Poland. Business Harbour (PBH) program was originally addressed to the citizens of Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Armenia. The program was created in response to the situation in Belarus – it was supposed to provide a safe place for the citizens of this country and give the Belarusian IT industry the opportunity for development. Therefore, it’s not surprising that Belarusian citizens are the main beneficiaries of the PBH program. Starting from QIV 2022 the programme has been broadened so that it currently concerns IT specialists from every country in the world, not only the Eastern Europe.
Who can get PBH Visa Poland?
According to the program’s assumptions, Poland. Business Harbour targets for three categories of entities:
- for individual IT specialists,
- for start-ups
- for already functioning companies (small, medium and large enterprises).
Advantages resulting from the Poland. Business Harbour (PBH) program
Among the most important benefits for people using the programme, there are:
- a possibility to use a special type of visa, which is the only one that:
- allows you to work without the need to obtain a permit
- enables establishing a sole proprietorship
- and allows you to take your immediate family with you;
- priority in obtaining the abovementioned visa – the waiting period from the moment of submitting the application to obtaining a visa amounts to several days and the number of appendices to the visa application is shorter in comparison to the standard visa procedure;
- support in the form of connecting entrepreneurs with investors and grants for R&D activities;
- support in the form of the business concierge as part of cooperation with the Polish Investment & Trade Agency.
How to benefit from Poland. Business Harbour program?
In order to participate in the simplified PBH visa procedure, the applicant must, first of all, have proof of interest in his or her employment from one of the partner companies. The list of companies is available on the official governmental website – gov.pl/pbh. Additionally, the applicant must have at least one year of experience in the IT industry. Confirmed technical education within this field also does the job.
After completing all the formalities and obtaining the visa, its owners may work in Poland without a work permit. The employment process of such workers is then analogous to that of Polish citizens. The foreigners participating in the programme and willing to work under B2B contracts also have such possibility – they may start their own business in Poland on conditions similar to those of people with Polish citizenship.
For how long is the Poland. Business Harbour visa (PBH Visa Poland) issued and is there a possibility to extend it?
The visas obtained by the participants of Poland. Business Harbour are temporary – they have one year validity period. After this period, a foreigner may either leave Poland and apply for a new visa or start a procedure for legalizing his or her residence and work on the territory of Poland. Having in mind the possible length of such procedures, we recommend to submit relevant applications some time in advance – up to several months.
How to apply for Polish. Harbour Business Visa (PBH Visa Poland)?
In order to obtain the Polish. Business Harbour Visa ((PBH Visa Poland), it is necessary to correctly fill in and submit the visa application. The list of required documents includes:
- completed and signed application,
- current biometric photo,
- passport – issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least three months from the date of the planned return, with at least two blank pages for visas,
- medical insurance for the period of validity of the visa (minimum insurance amount of EUR 30,000),
- documentation confirming the purpose of the trip
Documents confirming the purpose of the trip
- if you are an IT specialist – a document confirming your technical education in the field of IT or at least one year of experience in the IT industry and proof of interest in cooperation from of one of the partner companies in the program2. if you are setting up a startup – a document confirming qualification for the Poland Prize program,
- if you are setting up a startup – a document confirming qualification for the Poland Prize program,
- if you run a small, medium or large enterprise – a document confirming your qualification to the program by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency.
How can we help you?
Based on our many years of experience in cooperation with foreign companies who are interested in company registration in Poland in order to gather IT workforce from entire world, we offer support in obtaining a Poland Business Harbour Visa. Our assistance will allow you to shorten the visa procedure as much as possible and start your business in Poland in the shortest possible time.
If this article was interesting for you and you want to know more on the topic it concerned we encourage you to contact us. Specialists from our law firm in Poland, Warsaw, will be happy to help. If you are interested in company registration in Poland visit our dedicated landing page.
FAQ – frequently asked questions on Poland. Business harbour program
“Poland. Business Harbour” – what is it?
“Poland. Business Harbour” is a government program in force from 2020. Initially, it covered only citizens of Belarus. From July 2021, it can also be used by residents of Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, Moldova and Armenia. The program is intended for specialists from the IT sector, start-ups and small, medium and large enterprises. It enables trouble-free relocation of the company to the territory of Poland. Starting from QIV 2022 the programme has been broadened so that it currently concerns IT specialists from every country in the world, not only the Eastern Europe.
What is Poland Business Harbour visa?
One of the many benefits of “Poland. Busines Harbour ” program is the possibility to apply for a Business Harbour Visa. This visa is subject to a special accelerated procedure. Within a few weeks, a foreigner should be able to legally take up employment in Poland. She/he can also start a business on the same terms as Polish citizens.
Who is subject to the Poland Business Harbour programme?
According to the program’s assumptions, Poland. Business Harbour targets for three categories of entities:
for individual IT specialists,
for start-ups
for already functioning companies (small, medium and large enterprises).
