This publication was prepared in Polish – English and Polish – Russian versions. It would not have been possible without the support of the European Union. It is one of the outcomes of the project “Integration of Foreigners in the Lublin Region III”, undertaken by the Rule of Law Institute Foundation and co-financed by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals and the state budget.

The new institutions in the provisions of the Act on Foreigners fully justify the need for an in-depth reflection on the legal status of third-country nationals in Poland (starting with the stage of entry and stay on the basis of long-term national visas, through temporary residence permits, permanent residence, long-term EU residence permit, up to the institutions of residence permit for humanitarian reasons and a permit for tolerated stay). The present publication will serve people who apply the law on foreigners on a daily basis. It will also help foreigners in better understanding of the rights that they are entitled to.