Amara had been waiting three months for a letter from the Office for Foreigners. When it finally came — a summons for her interview — she froze. She didn't know if she should bring a lawyer. She didn't know what they would ask. She didn't know if one wrong answer could end everything. If you're holding that same envelope right now, or expecting it soon, this is the article she wished she'd found. The international protection interview in Poland is the single most important step in your asylum procedure — and almost nobody explains what it actually looks like from the inside.
What the Interview Is — and What It Isn't
The interview (in Polish: przesłuchanie) is conducted by an officer from the Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców (UDSC) — the Office for Foreigners in Warsaw. Its purpose is straightforward: the officer wants to hear, in detail, why you cannot safely return to your country of origin. They are not trying to catch you out. They are gathering facts to assess your claim under Polish and EU law.
This is not a police interrogation. You are not on trial. But it is formal, it is recorded, and what you say becomes part of your legal file. Treating it casually — arriving unprepared, leaving out key events, or contradicting your original application — can and does lead to refusals. So preparation matters enormously. According to the UDSC official guidance, the interview exists to clarify the facts of your case and resolve any discrepancies in your declarations.
One more thing: the interview is also your chance to add evidence, correct earlier statements, and make sure your full story is on record. Officers cannot approve what they do not know. If something important happened to you — threats, violence, a specific incident — say it here, in detail, even if you mentioned it briefly at registration.
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When Does the Interview Happen — and Where?
After you submit your application, the UDSC schedules the interview as soon as interpreters and rooms are available. In practice, this typically falls 1 to 3 months after your application is registered. You will receive a written summons (wezwanie) specifying the date, time, and address.
Most interviews take place at UDSC headquarters in Warsaw. If you are detained in a guarded centre or a foreigners' detention facility, the interview is conducted there instead, sometimes via video link. The entire regular procedure has a statutory 6-month deadline, but in practice cases are running 8 to 18 months from application to first decision in 2026. The interview is usually the earliest major milestone — the rest of the wait happens after.
If 6 months pass without a decision and the delay is not your fault, you gain an important right: the UDSC can issue a certificate allowing you to work in Poland while waiting. This is confirmed under Polish law (Ustawa o udzielaniu cudzoziemcom ochrony) and is worth knowing if your procedure drags on. See the gov.pl page on asylum applications for the official process.
What You'll Actually Be Asked During the Interview
The officer will not hand you a quiz. The interview is open-ended: they ask you to tell your story, then probe specific parts of it. Expect questions across several areas.
Your personal background: Family, education, employment history, religion, ethnicity, political activities — anything that explains who you are and why you could be at risk.
The events that led you to flee: What happened, when, who was responsible, what evidence exists. Officers want specifics — dates, names of towns or organisations, sequence of events. "I was threatened" is not enough. "I received a written summons from [group] in [month], threatening me because of [specific reason], and I have a photo of it" is what builds a case.
Why you cannot return: This is the core question. Poland grants refugee status to people with a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Subsidiary protection covers those who do not meet the refugee definition but would face a real risk of serious harm — death penalty, torture, or inhuman treatment — if returned. You need to show which category applies to you and why.
Your route to Poland: Countries you transited, visas you held, how long you were in each place. Officers check whether you passed through a safe third country where you could have applied earlier.
Previous applications elsewhere: If you applied for asylum in another EU country, this matters — Poland may need to assess Dublin III responsibility.
For applicants from countries like Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, or Pakistan, the EUAA publishes country guidance documents that Polish officers use when assessing risk profiles. Knowing what specific risks are officially recognised for your country helps you frame your answers to match what the legal standard actually requires. The UNHCR Poland help page also outlines the rights and obligations of applicants throughout this process.
Practical tip: Chisom, a logistics coordinator from Lagos, came to his interview with six pages of handwritten notes but no organised timeline. The officer spent 40 minutes clarifying the sequence of events — time that could have been used to strengthen his case. We now prepare every client with a written chronology before the interview: date, event, evidence reference. It takes two hours to build and saves the case.
Who Can Be in the Room With You
You have concrete rights about who accompanies you. Knowing them before you walk in makes a real difference.
- Interpreter: You have the right to a free interpreter in your language. The UDSC arranges this. If the interpreter is not fluent enough — tell the officer immediately. A poor translation at this stage can distort your entire case.
- Legal representative or lawyer: You can bring a lawyer, legal advisor, or authorised representative. They can sit in the room and advise you, though the interview is conducted with you directly. This is one of the most valuable things you can do — a representative who knows Polish asylum law can flag issues during the session, not weeks later.
- Representative of UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency has the right to attend interviews in Poland and often does for vulnerable or complex cases.
- Trusted support person: If you are a victim of trauma, violence, or torture, you may request a support person to be present. Inform the UDSC in advance.
After the interview, you receive a copy of the interview protocol — a written record of everything discussed. Read it carefully before you leave or as soon as possible. If something was recorded incorrectly, note it. That protocol is part of your legal file and will be referenced in the decision.
Documents and Evidence to Bring
Do not arrive with just your ID. Every document you bring is a building block the officer can reference when writing their recommendation. Here is what actually helps:
- Identity documents: passport, national ID, any travel documents — even expired ones.
- Evidence of persecution or threat: court summonses, police reports, arrest warrants, threatening letters or messages (printed with dates visible), photos, videos.
- Media or official reports: news articles, human rights reports, or NGO documentation mentioning your specific group, region, or situation.
- Membership or activity proof: party cards, union documents, religious affiliation certificates, social media records if you were targeted online.
- Medical documentation: if you were injured, treated for trauma, or have a psychological assessment, bring it. This is especially relevant for torture survivors.
- Witness statements: written declarations from people who witnessed events — even notarised statements from family members abroad can be submitted.
Original documents are best. Translated copies are accepted — but sworn translation into Polish is strongly recommended for key evidence. If you need guidance on when a sworn translator is required, see our post on International Protection for Indian Nationals in Poland 2026 which covers document standards for South Asian applicants. If you are from Nepal, the International Protection for Nepal Nationals in Poland 2026 guide is also worth reading before your interview.
The interview is the moment your case either gains momentum or loses it. Preparation — a written timeline, organised documents, a representative in the room — is not a luxury. It is the difference between a 3-year protection status and a 14-day notice. Legal Solutions — 98% approval rate. Drop us a WhatsApp — we read every message.