Work Permits and Visas in Romania: A Comprehensive Guide for 2026

Introduction

Romania work permits and visas require separate employer-led and applicant-led steps for foreign nationals outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland. Employers request a work authorization from the Inspectorate General for Immigration (IGI) before the worker applies for a long-stay D-type visa through Romanian consular channels. Work permits are tied to a specific employer and role, so a job change generally requires a new permit.

The main operational risk is timing. A Romania work permit can take several weeks, and an IGI request for additional documents can extend the process. Employers may also need Romanian-language documents, proof of qualifications, labor market test evidence, medical insurance, police clearance, and proof of funds.

Missing information in any of these steps can delay onboarding, block visa approval, or create work authorization issues after arrival.

In this guide, we explain the types of Romania work permits and visas, eligibility rules, required documents, application steps, and processing timelines so employers can plan the right route and avoid delays when hiring non-EU, EEA, and Swiss workers.

What are the types of work permits and visas in Romania?

Here are the types of work permits and visas available you need to know about, if you plan to expand globally or hire talent in Romania.

Work permits

Under Romania’s amended employment-visa framework, D/AM1 and D/AM2 long-stay employment visa routes are based on a single application, while transition rules may still apply to pending or earlier work authorization cases.

For D/AM1 employment visas, the employer submits a single application. For D/AM2 employment visas, the application may be submitted by an authorized employer or an authorized foreign worker placement agency.

Employment visa applications are submitted through the WorkinRomania.gov.ro electronic platform and reviewed by the competent Romanian authorities, including the Inspectorate General for Immigration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and, where relevant, the Ministry of Education and Research.

Under Romanian immigration law, employment authorization is tied to the applicable immigration status, worker category, employer, and employment basis, rather than serving as a general open-ended right to work for any Romanian employer.

Work authorization is generally connected to the employer, worker category, role, and employment basis, but the exact rule depends on the worker’s immigration status and permit type under Romania’s foreign-worker rules.

Foreign workers may change employers only under the applicable Romanian immigration rules. Current amendments allow employer changes in specific circumstances, including after at least six months from the start of activity with the previous employer, with exceptions for justified cases such as serious employer breaches

Types of Romania work permits

Romanian law recognizes multiple worker categories, including permanent workers, seasonal workers, au pairs, cross-border workers, highly qualified workers, posted workers, ICT workers, managers, specialists, and trainee employees under the statutory foreign-worker categories

1. Work permits for local hires are issued to foreigners with a valid, local employment contract in Romania. For employment, temporary residence may be extended for the period of the employment contract, up to two years, while highly qualified workers are subject to different duration rules under Romania’s residence-extension provisions.
2. Work permits for highly-skilled employees are issued to foreign nationals working in highly-skilled positions in Romania. Prospective employees must demonstrate their skills and qualifications and have a salary at least double the gross average to obtain these permits. For highly qualified workers, temporary residence may be extended for the employment contract period plus three months, up to a maximum of three years, under Romania’s rules for highly qualified employment.
3. Work permits for intra-corporate transfer (ICT) workers and trainees focus on employees and trainees who work for the same company in another country. These permits are valid for up to three years for professionals and one year for trainees. For ICT routes, specialists must have at least three years of relevant professional experience. Managers and specialists must have been employed within the undertaking or group for at least six uninterrupted months before the visa application, while trainee employees must have at least three uninterrupted months, according to Romania’s ICT worker provisions
4. Other work permits: Romania also recognizes categories such as seasonal workers, au pairs, cross-border workers, highly qualified workers, posted workers, ICT workers, professional athletes, and trainee employees under the current statutory worker categories. Remove ‘nominal workers’ unless separately confirmed in current Romanian law.

Work visas

For employment routes, Romania’s amended immigration framework provides for D/AM1 and D/AM2 long-stay employment visas for eligible third-country nationals who intend to work in Romania. These visas are issued based on a single application submitted through the electronic platform, subject to statutory categories, exemptions, residence rules, and transition provisions

Types of Romanian work visas

• Short-stay (C-type) visa: As the name suggests, short-stay visas grant a stay in Romania for up to 90 days. Nationals of visa-exempt countries may enter and stay in Romania for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, provided they meet the Romanian entry conditions for visa-exempt travelers. During the 90 days, visitors can work in certain activities, such as installing and maintaining machinery. A short-stay visa is not the normal route for long-term residence or employment. Foreign nationals who intend to stay longer for employment generally need the appropriate long-stay visa and residence authorization under Romania’s long-stay visa framework.
• Long-stay (D-type) visa: A long-stay visa is granted for 90 days and allows the holder to request an extension of temporary stay and obtain a residence permit. For employment, the D/AM visa also attests the right to work under the applicable route, according to Romania’s long-stay visa provisions. Technically, this type of visa isn’t valid for more than 90 days, but foreigners with D-type visas can apply for a residence permit to remain in the country long-term for employment. For employment visas, current Romanian law provides for D/AM1 and D/AM2 routes based on a single application submitted through the electronic platform.
• Digital nomad visa: Romania has joined the list of countries offering remote workers visas. Romania’s digital nomad route applies to eligible foreign nationals who work remotely through information and communication technology for a company registered outside Romania or through a company they own outside Romania. The long-stay visa itself is granted for 90 days. Eligible digital nomads may then request temporary residence under Romania’s digital nomad residence provisions. The first temporary residence extension for digital nomads is granted for six months, and later extensions may be granted if the legal conditions continue to be met. The digital nomad route is not a Romanian local-employment work permit route; it applies to qualifying remote work for a foreign employer or foreign-owned company and requires proof of income of at least three times Romania’s gross average monthly wage, among other conditions.

In Romania, non-EU/EEA/Swiss hires need both a work permit and a work visa, and the process depends on the employee’s role, eligibility, employer sponsorship, and renewal timeline. For companies relocating talent or hiring foreign employees into Romania, that can add extra coordination before a start date is confirmed.

Skuad’s Visa & Immigration support helps teams with global mobility workflows, including:

• Supports work permit applications for foreign employees
• Coordinates visa documentation with relevant local immigration authorities
• Tracks documentation requirements, deadlines, and permit renewals
• Assists with residence or work permit conversions where required
• Helps keep teams aligned with permit validity and renewal requirements

Book a demo to see how Skuad supports work permit and visa workflows for global hires.

What are the requirements for Romania work visas and permits?

Employers hiring third-country nationals in Romania should plan for the applicable employment visa, work authorization, and residence procedures under Romanian immigration law

Common documents may include the following, depending on the visa or permit route under Romanian immigration requirements:

• A valid travel document or passport; photos may also be required for certain work authorization or residence procedures
• Proof of accommodation or legal possession of living space, depending on the visa or residence route
• Medical insurance, depending on the route; for digital nomad applicants, insurance must cover the visa period, intended stay, repatriation, and emergency medical costs, with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000
• Proof of financial means, which varies by route; for employment visas, proof of means may be tied to the minimum gross salary, while digital nomads must show income of at least three times Romania’s gross average monthly wage
• A criminal record certificate or equivalent document issued by the country of origin, domicile, residence, or tax residence, depending on the route

Romania work permit requirements

For D/AM1 employment visas, the employer submits the single application; for D/AM2 employment visas, the application may be submitted by an authorized employer or an authorized foreign-worker placement agency under Romania’s amended employment visa framework.

Before submitting an employment authorization or visa application, an employer may request supporting documents from the applicant, depending on the worker category and role. Under the IGI permanent worker checklist and IGI highly qualified worker checklist, these may include:

• A resume or CV
• A declaration that the foreign worker is medically fit and has minimal Romanian-language knowledge or knows an international language
• Education or professional qualification documents, including recognition certificates or translated and legalized qualification documents where applicable

For certain work authorization categories, employers may need to show that the vacant position cannot be filled by Romanian citizens, EU/EEA citizens, or permanent residents in Romania, according to IGI employment and posting guidance.

For applicable work permit categories, employers must show that the vacant position cannot be filled by Romanian citizens, EU/EEA citizens, or permanent residents in Romania under IGI employment and posting rules.

For D/AM1 and D/AM2 employment routes, Romania uses a single-application process submitted through the electronic platform, with the visa issued by Romanian diplomatic missions or consular offices after the applicable checks under Romania’s employment visa rules.

Romania D-type visa requirements

Romania has several long-stay visa routes, and the applicable category depends on the purpose of stay under Romania’s long-stay visa framework. These routes may apply if:

• You are seeking employment with a Romanian company under an employment visa route
• You are being posted or transferred to Romania under an applicable posting or intra-corporate transfer route
• You are carrying out scientific research based on the required acceptance or hosting documentation
• You are applying for commercial activities, subject to statutory business, investment, and approval requirements
• You are applying for professional activities in a regulated liberal profession
• You are carrying out activities under a bilateral agreement between Romania and your home country
• You are performing eligible artistic, scientific, educational, or specialized activities in Romania, where the statutory conditions are met

To apply for a Romanian long-stay visa, required documents vary depending on the visa route. Under Romania’s visa procedure rules, applicants may need:

• A completed Romanian visa application form or single application, depending on the route
• Employment authorization or visa-route documentation, where required; for D/AM1 and D/AM2 employment routes, Romania uses a single application submitted through the electronic platform
• Documents supporting the purpose and conditions of stay, such as a job description, firm offer of employment, employment contract, or other employment-related documents, depending on the route
• Appearance at the Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office when required for the long-stay visa process

Romania digital nomad visa requirements

To apply for a Romanian digital nomad visa, applicants must provide the documents required under Romania’s digital nomad visa provisions, which may include:

• A letter of intent
• A ticket reservation or travel itinerary, or vehicle documents and itinerary proof if traveling by car
• An employment contract with a company registered outside Romania showing remote work, or proof that the applicant has remotely administered a company registered outside Romania for at least three years at the visa application date
• Proof of means of support from remote activity equal to at least three times Romania’s gross average monthly wage for each of the six months before the visa application and for the entire visa period
• The original remote employment contract or proof of foreign-company administration, with an authenticated Romanian translation where required
• An original apostilled or superlegalized tax document, with an authenticated Romanian translation, issued by the competent tax authority at the applicant’s tax residence, confirming that taxes and mandatory contributions are paid up to date and that there is no record of tax evasion or tax fraud
• Proof of accommodation in Romania
• Medical insurance covering the visa period, intended stay, repatriation, and emergency medical costs, with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000
• A criminal record certificate or equivalent document, where required

How to apply for Romania work visas and permits?

Now that you know the requirements, here’s how employers and foreign workers can apply for Romanian work authorization, employment visas, and residence permissions.

Work permits and employment authorization

For applicable work permit or posting notice routes, the employer or beneficiary submits the application to the General Inspectorate for Immigration. For D/AM1 and D/AM2 employment visa routes, Romania uses a single application submitted through the Work in Romania platform.

Employers may request supporting documents from the applicant, such as a CV, qualification documents, medical fitness evidence, a language declaration, or role-specific documents, depending on the worker category and visa or permit route.

For many work permit categories, including permanent, posted, cross-border, trainee, highly skilled, and au pair workers, the employer pays the RON equivalent of EUR 100. Lower fees, such as the RON equivalent of EUR 25, apply to certain categories, including seasonal workers and some change-of-status or change-of-employer cases, according to IGI’s work permit fee guidance. Proof of payment is submitted with the work permit application where that route applies.

Work visas

Romanian visa applications are started online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs eVisa portal. For D/AM1 and D/AM2 employment routes, the visa is based on a single application submitted through the WorkinRomania.gov.ro platform and completed through the Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office process.

Here are the general steps for applying for a Romanian work visa:

• Start the visa application online or follow the single-application process for the applicable D/AM employment route.
• Upload electronic copies of the required route-specific documents.
• Present the original travel document and supporting documents to the Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office when required.
• Follow the application status and any instructions from the consular office.
• Appear in person at the Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office when required.
• Pay the applicable long-stay visa fee, which is generally EUR 120.
• Wait for the application to be processed and, if approved, for the visa to be issued.

Applicants should follow the timing rules for the relevant visa route. For D/AM employment routes under Romania’s amended immigration framework, the single application is settled no later than 30 days from the applicant’s presentation at the Romanian diplomatic mission or consular post.

Application processing time

The General Inspectorate for Immigration processes work permit or posting notice applications within 30 days from registration. If further checks are required, the processing deadline may be extended by 15 days under IGI employment and posting guidance.

For D/AM employment routes under Romania’s amended immigration rules, the visa application is settled no later than 30 days from the applicant’s presentation at the Romanian diplomatic mission or consular post.

Applying for Romanian work authorization often requires an employer-led process, from work permit filings to employment visa documentation and route-specific supporting documents. For companies that want to hire in Romania without setting up their own local entity, that employment setup can add another layer of administration before the worker can start.

Skuad’s Employer of Record solution helps companies hire full-time employees without opening a local entity, including:

• Acts as the legal employer across 160+ countries
• Supports employment contract generation aligned with local labor laws across supported markets
• Facilitates statutory contribution workflows covering applicable social insurance, pension, and severance obligations
• Supports payroll processing in 70+ currencies with automated tax withholding and year-end reconciliation
• Helps administer statutory benefits, paid leave, and parental entitlements in line with local requirements

Hire in Romania with Skuad

By now, you have a clear understanding of Romania’s work permit categories, visa options, eligibility requirements, required documents, and application steps for hiring foreign talent. Choosing the right route and preparing documentation correctly are important for employers and foreign professionals planning to work in Romania.

Work authorization is only one part of the hiring process. Employers also need to coordinate employment contracts, onboarding, payroll, statutory benefits, permit renewals, and ongoing employment requirements throughout the worker’s lifecycle. Keeping these workflows aligned can help create a more consistent hiring experience.

For companies looking to hire talent in Romania without establishing a local entity, Skuad’s Employer of Record solution supports employment setup, payroll processing, statutory benefits, onboarding, and immigration workflows across supported markets.

Book a demo to see how Skuad supports hiring in Romania without setting up a legal entity.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between a Romania work permit and a work visa?

A Romania work permit is employer-led authorization requested through the Inspectorate General for Immigration, while a work visa is applied for afterward by the foreign national. For non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals, both are generally needed before lawful employment in Romania.

2. Can EU citizens work in Romania without a work permit?

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can generally work in Romania without a Romanian work permit or work visa. They may still need to follow local residence registration rules if staying longer term, while Romanian employers must still meet payroll, tax, and employment contract obligations.

3. Can a Romania work permit be used for any employer?

A Romania work permit is usually tied to the employer and role named in the application. If a foreign national changes jobs, a new work authorization is generally required unless they hold a status, such as permanent residence, that allows broader access to Romania’s labor market.

4. What happens after a foreign worker enters Romania on a long-stay work visa?

Foreign workers entering Romania with a long-stay work visa generally need to apply for a temporary residence permit through the territorial office of the Inspectorate General for Immigration. The permit is linked to the work contract and helps extend lawful stay beyond the visa period.

5. Is Romania’s digital nomad visa the same as a work visa?

Romania’s digital nomad visa is different from a standard employment work visa because it is designed for remote workers employed or contracted outside Romania. Applicants generally need proof of foreign income, health insurance, accommodation, tax status, and remote work documentation translated into Romanian.

6. What should employers check before hiring foreign workers in Romania?

Employers should check whether the candidate needs a work authorization, whether the role is subject to Romanian labor market conditions, and which documents the Inspectorate General for Immigration may request. They should also prepare Romanian-compliant contracts, payroll setup, tax withholding, and residence permit support.