In recent times, residence permit procedures in Poland have been delayed due to a significant increase in the number of residence applications submitted. This is met with great concern of the foreigners applying for the residence permits and their questions whether they have to leave and wait for a decision and a residence card abroad once the validity of their current visa or residence card is coming to an end. In accordance with the Bill on Foreigners, if the residence application was submitted during a legal stay in Poland, and there are no formal defects or these deficiencies have been completed within the fixed period, the stay in Poland is legal until the end of the residence permit procedure (including the appeal procedure). However, this is not tantamount to the possibility of entering Poland if the foreigner had to leave the country and the previous visa or residence card has already expired.