Ukrainian citizens were residing on the territory of the Republic of Poland on various legal grounds before 24 February 2022. The legalisation of the stay of Ukrainian nationals occurred primarily through the granting of temporary residence permits, permanent residence permits or on a basis of long-term EU residency. In 2022, 213,298 persons received positive decisions on temporary stay, 7,614 persons on permanent stay and 6,589 on long-time EU residence. In 2023, these figures were 199,848, 9,326 and 8,054, respectively (Urząd ds. Cudzoziemców, 2024c). A relatively small number of Ukrainians have also applied for international protection in Poland. In 2022, 1,778 Ukrainians and in 2023, 1,770 Ukrainians applied for international protection in Poland (Urząd ds. Cudzoziemców, 2024a). The remaining persons with Ukrainian citizenship stayed in Poland for short periods on the basis of a Schengen visa issued by a Polish authority, on the basis of a visa issued by another Schengen State or under the visa-free regime. Since 11 June 2017, the visa requirement for Ukrainian citizens travelling to the EU has been abolished. It is estimated that prior to the outbreak of war, there were approximately 2 million Ukrainians residing in Poland on various terms, mainly through legalised residence and a short stay basis (including visa-free regime) (Personel Service, 2024).