Question 1

What should I do after being detained by the Border Guard (Straż Graniczna)?

Accepted Answer

Stay calm, request an interpreter and do not sign any documents you do not understand. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible — directly or through your family. Establishing which unit is handling the case and where the person is being held is the first step towards any legal action.

Question 2

Can a family member report the case instead of the foreigner?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and this is often the fastest route. The family passes on information and documents, while the power of attorney is signed with the person concerned — including inside a guarded centre for foreigners (strzeżony ośrodek dla cudzoziemców).

Question 3

How quickly do you respond to a report?

Accepted Answer

Urgent cases are treated as a priority. The average response time is a dozen or so minutes, and the duty line operates around the clock, including weekends and holidays.

Question 4

Can a detained person contact their consulate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they have the right to contact the consular post of their country of nationality and to notify a close person of their detention.

Question 5

Can a return decision (decyzja o zobowiązaniu do powrotu) be appealed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The appeal is lodged with the Head of the Office for Foreigners (Szef Urzędu do Spraw Cudzoziemców) through the Border Guard (Straż Graniczna) unit that issued the decision, within a short deadline counted from the date of service. Its effectiveness depends on the content of the arguments raised and the evidence submitted.

Question 6

What if the appeal deadline has already passed?

Accepted Answer

It is possible to apply for reinstatement of the deadline together with evidence showing lack of fault in missing it, and in some situations also to apply for resumption of the proceedings or a declaration that the decision is void.

Question 7

Does an appeal suspend enforcement of the decision?

Accepted Answer

A non-final decision is, as a rule, not enforceable, but if the decision has been given an immediate enforceability rigour, a separate application to suspend enforcement is required.

Question 8

What does the voluntary departure deadline mean?

Accepted Answer

This is the period indicated in the decision within which the foreigner must leave the territory on their own. Meeting it matters for a later application to shorten the entry ban.

Question 9

Is it possible to act when someone is held in a guarded centre for foreigners (strzeżony ośrodek dla cudzoziemców)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A complaint (zażalenie) against the court's decision is available, and during the stay it is possible to apply for release and for the application of alternatives to detention.

Question 10

Can the court order other measures instead of the guarded centre?

Accepted Answer

Yes — reporting to the Border Guard (Straż Graniczna), residing at an indicated address, a financial guarantee, or a deposit of the travel document. This, however, requires presenting the court with specific evidence.

Question 11

Can the stay in the guarded centre be extended?

Accepted Answer

Yes, at the request of the Border Guard (Straż Graniczna) the court may extend the detention within the limits set out by the Act. Each extension is a separate decision that can be appealed.

Question 12

What does an entry ban mean?

Accepted Answer

It is a restriction on entering the territory of Poland, and usually also the other Schengen area states, for the period specified in the decision.

Question 13

Can an entry ban be shortened?

Accepted Answer

Yes, by applying to revoke or shorten the ban. Voluntary compliance with the return decision, as well as changes in family and professional circumstances, matter for the outcome.

Question 14

How can an entry be removed from the SIS (Schengen Information System)?

Accepted Answer

The entry is removed by the state that made it. If the entry originates from Poland, we submit an application to the competent authority; for an entry from another state, we help identify the authority and prepare the request.

Question 15

Do you help clients across all of Poland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We handle cases remotely across the whole country — contact and documents are exchanged by phone, email, WhatsApp, or through the form.

Question 16

In which languages do you communicate?

Accepted Answer

We handle cases in Polish, Ukrainian, Russian and English. If needed, we use a sworn translator.

Question 17

How much does handling a case cost?

Accepted Answer

We set the fee individually, after an initial assessment of the case and its scope. We always present clear terms before starting work — with no hidden costs.

Question 18

Do you guarantee the outcome of a case?

Accepted Answer

No. No reliable lawyer can guarantee the outcome of proceedings. What we can guarantee is fast action, a full review of the case file, and the use of all available legal measures.

Question 19

What documents should I prepare for the first contact?

Accepted Answer

The foreigner's identity document, the decision or the court's order (if already issued), residence documents, family documents, and information about the place and date of detention.

Question 20

Is the data and progress of the case kept confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Information provided in connection with the case is covered by professional secrecy and treated as fully confidential.

Questions and answers — deportation cases in Poland

Detention and the first hours

The return decision (decyzja o zobowiązaniu do powrotu)

Guarded centre (strzeżony ośrodek dla cudzoziemców) and detention

Entry ban and SIS

Working with our firm

Do not wait until the last day.
In deportation cases, hours decide the outcome.