For employers · maritime sector

Immigration and work authorisation support for captains, crew, owners’ representatives and technical personnel

During the construction, refit, servicing or delivery of a vessel, a foreign captain, crew member or technical specialist may need to remain in Poland considerably longer than originally planned.

Migrant & Griffin provides specialised immigration and legal support to companies operating in the maritime and yachting sectors in Poland.

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Based in Gdynia, cases throughout Poland Immigration law and maritime law Urgent and planned matters
Schengen · short stay90 / 180

A maximum of 90 days of stay in any rolling 180-day period

days in Schengendeparture

Leaving for a few days does not “reset” the count — the 180-day window keeps moving with the calendar.

When timelines shift

The project has been delayed. What happens to the captain’s or specialist’s immigration status?

Timelines in the maritime industry do not always go according to plan. A newbuild may be delayed. Delivery may be postponed. Additional work may arise during commissioning. A refit may take several weeks longer than expected. A captain or owner’s representative may need to remain on site until the project is completed.

For persons subject to the Schengen short-stay rules, this can create an issue with the limit of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.

  • Leaving does not reset the limit. Leaving Poland or the Schengen Area for a few days does not automatically “reset” the 90/180-day limit.
  • Stay and work are separate issues. A person may be legally present in Poland while their specific activities still require a separate assessment under Polish rules concerning the employment or posting of foreign nationals.
  • Review it early. It is therefore usually better to review the situation before the deadline becomes a problem.
Our clients

Who do we assist?

We work with companies that bring in, service or employ foreign captains, crews and technical personnel on a day-to-day basis.

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  • 01

    Shipping Agencies

    When an immigration issue involving a captain, crew member or another person connected with a vessel arises during a port call, shipyard stay or other operation in Poland.

  • 02

    Shipyards and Yacht Builders

    For longer projects involving foreign captains, owners’ representatives, superintendents, project managers and technical specialists.

  • 03

    Crewing Companies

    In matters involving foreign seafarers staying in Poland before joining a vessel, between contracts or after signing off.

  • 04

    Yacht and Ship Management Companies

    When a captain, crew member or owner’s representative needs to remain in Poland during a newbuild, refit, delivery, commissioning or warranty project.

  • 05

    Commissioning and Service Companies

    When foreign engineers and technicians are sent to Poland to install, commission, test, repair or service equipment and systems on board vessels.

  • 06

    Owners’ Representatives, Surveyors and Superintendents

    For newbuilding supervision, technical surveys, vessel delivery, project supervision and technical representation of owners or shipowners.

  • 07

    Shipowners and Vessel Operators

    In matters concerning the lawful stay and work of foreign crew members and technical personnel in Poland.

Typical situations

What situations can we assist with?

Deadline

The 90/180-day limit is approaching

We review the person’s travel history and current immigration status and assess the available options for remaining legally in Poland.

Deadline

The visa is about to expire

We analyse the available immigration options and advise what action should be taken and when.

Project

A shipyard project has been delayed

A captain, engineer, superintendent or owner’s representative was originally expected to remain in Poland for a few weeks, but the project has extended into several months. We can assess the situation before a problem arises or take over the matter while the project is already in progress.

Work

A foreign engineer or technician is travelling to a Polish shipyard

We assess both the basis of their stay in Poland and whether they may lawfully carry out the planned activities.

Posting

An employee is being posted to Poland by a foreign company

We analyse the posting structure, immigration and employment requirements, and the documentation that may be required in Poland.

Urgent

A problem arises during departure, inspection or border control

In urgent matters, we can assess the situation and assist the client in dealing with the relevant authorities, including the Polish Border Guard.

Planning

The company wants to plan the immigration position before arrival

We can assess in advance on what basis the person may stay in Poland, how long they may remain, whether they may carry out the planned activities, whether additional formalities are required and when the relevant procedure should be started.

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Scope of services

How can we help?

Our assistance may include, in particular, the services listed alongside.

The exact scope of assistance is determined after reviewing the individual case.

Related services Work permits Business visas & invitations Residence permits Border Guard & labour inspection
  • assessment of a foreign national’s immigration status,
  • calculation and analysis of the Schengen 90/180-day limit,
  • assessment of options for continued lawful stay in Poland,
  • visa matters,
  • residence permits,
  • assessment of the right to work or perform specific activities in Poland,
  • work permits and other work authorisation matters,
  • assessment of the posting of workers to Poland,
  • preparation of applications and supporting documentation,
  • representation before the relevant authorities,
  • assistance in matters involving the Polish Border Guard and immigration authorities,
  • immigration planning before foreign personnel arrive in Poland,
  • ongoing support for shipping agencies, crewing companies, shipyards and yacht/ship management companies.
Process

How does the process work?

1

You send us the basic information

We usually need information on nationality, passport, travel history in the Schengen Area, current visa or other basis of stay, employer, role in the project, expected duration of stay in Poland, and the vessel and nature of the project.

2

We assess the situation

We analyse separately:

immigration status+right to work or perform the planned activities in Poland
3

We explain the available options

The client receives clear information on the current risk, available solutions, the steps that should be taken and the documents required.

4

We can take over the case

Depending on the matter, we can prepare the documentation, represent the company or foreign national and handle the relevant immigration or work authorisation procedure.

Urgent immigration issue?

Is a captain, crew member or technical specialist approaching the end of their lawful stay in Poland?

Do not wait until the last day.

Please send us:

  1. nationality,
  2. copy of the passport biodata page,
  3. date from which the person has been staying in Poland or the Schengen Area,
  4. current basis of stay,
  5. brief description of what the person is doing in Poland,
  6. how much longer the person needs to remain in Poland.

Based on this information, we will identify what else is required for the assessment.

Direct contact with the firm

Telephone+48 516 772 516 Landline+48 58 380 29 39 E-mailoffice@migrant.legal
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Monday–Friday, 9:00–17:00

Immigration and Maritime Law in One Place

Immigration matters involving foreign crew and technical personnel require an understanding not only of immigration law, but also of how maritime projects operate in practice.

Mariusz Królczyk has practised Polish immigration law for more than 10 years and also advises clients in the field of maritime law.

This allows us to look beyond a standard visa or residence permit matter and consider the wider context of a shipyard project, vessel operations, crew arrangements, posting of personnel and the practical needs of shipowners, agents and managers.

Migrant & Griffin is based in Gdynia and assists clients throughout Poland.

10+ yearsin immigration law
Maritime lawactive practice
Gdyniafirm headquarters
All of Polandwhere we handle cases
Cooperation model

One Case or Ongoing Support

One-off

Individual Case

For companies that require assistance occasionally:

  • assessment of the situation,
  • recommended course of action,
  • preparation of the required documentation,
  • handling of the relevant procedure.
Ongoing cooperation

Maritime Immigration Desk

For shipping agencies, crewing companies, shipyards, yacht managers and technical companies that regularly work with foreign personnel. An ongoing cooperation model may include:

  • one dedicated point of contact,
  • quick referral of new cases,
  • immigration checks before personnel travel to Poland,
  • support in urgent matters,
  • handling of immigration and work authorisation procedures.
Questions & answers

Frequently asked questions

Didn’t find your answer? Write to us — we will review your specific case.

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Does leaving the Schengen Area for a few days reset the 90/180-day limit?

No. The short-stay limit is calculated by reference to a rolling 180-day period. The individual travel history must be reviewed in order to determine the person’s actual position.

Is every crew member subject to the 90/180-day rule?

This cannot be determined solely on the basis that the person is a seafarer. Their nationality, immigration documents, purpose and nature of stay, travel arrangements and individual circumstances may all be relevant.

Is a seaman’s book sufficient for lawful stay in Poland?

A seaman’s book should not be treated as a universal document resolving every immigration issue. The legal basis for a person’s stay must be assessed in the context of the individual case.

Can a foreign commissioning engineer work in Poland without a work permit?

It depends on several factors, including nationality, employer, the nature of the activities performed in Poland and the legal structure under which the person has been assigned to the project.

What should we do if the project is delayed and the foreign national is approaching the end of their lawful stay?

The first step is to establish the person’s current immigration status and identify the available options for continued lawful stay. The earlier the situation is reviewed, the more options may be available.

Can you assist someone who is already in Poland?

Yes. We handle both matters planned before arrival and cases involving persons already staying in Poland.

Do you only handle cases in Gdynia and Gdańsk?

No. We assist clients throughout Poland.

Can you provide ongoing support to a shipping agency, shipyard or crewing company?

Yes. We can handle individual cases or establish an ongoing cooperation model for companies that regularly work with foreign crews and technical personnel.

Does your captain, crew member or technical specialist have an immigration or work authorisation issue in Poland?

Send us a brief description of the situation. We will identify the information and documents required for the assessment and advise on the possible next steps.


+48 516 772 516

office@migrant.legal

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