At the beginning of December 2020, new legal regulations came into effect that make it easier for foreign specialist to take up a job in Poland. The Poland. Business Harbor program, which allows Belorussian IT specialist to easily relocate to Poland, has been launched.
Poland. Business Harbor: work for Belorussians in Poland
The recent amendments to the Polish Law on Foreigners have expanded the catalog of situations where foreigners may take up a job in Poland without having to hold a visa. This option is available not only to physicians, paramedics, nurses, midwives, or dentists. As part of the program, every holder of a visa containing a note reading Poland. Business Harbor is eligible. This solution is an opportunity for specialists in areas such as new technologies as well as start-ups, SMEs, and large companies from Belarus that would like to take up a job or develop a business in Poland.
The Poland. Business Harbor programs allows Belorussian IT specialists and their families to apply for a Polish visa through the fast track. This means that Belorussian IT specialists, software developers, and young entrepreneurs operating a business in the technology sector who wish to take up a job in Poland will not have to get a work permit before applying for a visa containing the Poland. Business Harbor note. This will shorten the time of waiting for starting work in Poland. By the end of October 2020, 1,300 visas were issued to Belorussian IT specialists as part of the Poland. Business Harbor program.
What are the benefits for entrepreneurs and IT specialists?
The Belorussians who wish to work in Poland will have the right to temporary residential and office space. Their children attending Polish schools will have the option to go to extra language classes in order to learn Polish. This will allow them to adapt to the new country more quickly. Belorussian specialists will also be eligible for support in looking for investors and obtaining grants for R&D activity.
According to the Polish government, an additional asset of this solution are the facilitations in terms of contacting local authorities and Special Economic Zones. The Zones have already been taking actions in order to create proper business development conditions for people from various countries, including Belarus.
Fast track visa procedure: who is it for?
The fast track visa procedure is dedicated to natural persons who have a degree in engineering or experience in the IT sector. The Poland. Business Harbor program is also addressed to Belorussians who do not have specialist education or experience in the new technologies sector. In that case, eligibility will depend on a Polish company that participates in the program inviting the employee to work in Poland. A list of these companies is available at https://www.gov.pl/web/poland-businessharbour-en.
Applying for a visa is free of charge, but entails several formalities that have to be completed. The lawyers from the Konieczny Wierzbicki Law Firm will be happy to handle them, as they have many years of experience in providing legal assistance in terms of relocating employees from Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. The Law Firm is also ready to support Belorussian IT specialists who wish to develop their business in Poland.
An exodus of Belorussian IT specialists
Why is the demand for Belorussian IT experts so high in Poland? First of all, Belorussians are solid, well-educated specialists who went through a properly designed system of teaching mathematics and physics. Expertise in these fields allows for development in the area of new technologies. Furthermore, in addition to the subject-matter background, Belorussian IT specialists have achieved a number of spectacular successes that generate significant income. Many Eastern European countries would like to utilize the potential and talent of these experts. Poland offers a package of benefits that may make working here more profitable than in Belarus or the other countries of the region. Better wages, more prospects in terms of operating a business in a dynamically developing European Union Member State, a wider range of professional opportunities—these are just some of the reasons for which thousands of Belorussians have already taken advantage of the Poland. Business Harbor program.
Relocating a Belorussian business to Poland does not mean that operations in Belarus have to be terminated. In fact, it’s an opportunity to develop business and expand onto new markets.
Would you like to know more? Contact our specialists.