Foreign nationals may only engage in professional activity in Romania with a valid work permit. Every EU/EEA person is entitled to the same labor laws as Romanian nationals; hence they do not need a work permit, following EU legislation. Only foreign nationals from third countries who have a work permit, a long-stay work visa, and a residency permit may engage in employment in Romania.
Work permits types
Foreign nationals may be given a variety of work permits, including those for cross-border employment, permanent employment, seasonal employment, trainee employment, athlete employment, and nominal employment. The right to prolong your temporary stay for job reasons often extends up to one year, depending on the nature of your activity. Highly skilled employees may have their stays extended for up to two years.
Romanian work permit acquisition
The actions required to get a work permit are started by the employer, who will provide the required paperwork and pay the relevant taxes at the General Inspectorate for Immigration Office (IGI). IGI might take up to 30 days to respond to such inquiries. To demonstrate that the employment of the foreign national was legal, the employer must also retain the documentation. A certified copy of the work permit or the residency permit issued for employment reasons must always be kept by the employee. Foreign nationals must apply for a long-term visa at the Romanian diplomatic missions and consular offices after receiving a work permit. An application for a long-stay visa for employment must be submitted within 60 days of receiving your work permit.
Work visa for Romania
You need to fit into one of the following categories to be eligible for a Romania work visa:
- You’ll work at a Romanian institution that has been granted accreditation to perform research, study, or any other kind of specialized activity.
- You are an expert worker.
- You will participate in a bilateral agreement at work.
- You will follow the Minister of National Education’s instructions while working.
- Your work will be artistic and will be carried out following the minister of culture’s instructions.
- Due to a pact between Romania and your nation, you have access to the labor market there.
- You will work for a ministry or other central public or local government entity.
- You’ll be in charge of a Romanian branch or subsidiary office with a headquarters overseas.
Romania’s rules for work visas
You need the following to apply for a work visa for Romania:
- Work Permit received from your employer and presented to the Romanian Inspectorate General for Immigration.
- Documents about your job status.
- Police clearance certificate from your country of residence.
- Travel health insurance.
- Evidence of lodging in Romania.
- Evidence of adequate financial resources.
- An application for a visa to Romania.
- Two current photos that meet the standards for Romanian visa photos.
- A valid passport or other travel authorization.
- A plane ticket.
How to apply for a long-stay visa for Romania
The Romanian Inspectorate General for Immigration often needs to approve long-stay visas in advance, which might take up to 30 days. Therefore, it is recommended that you apply at least 45 days before the day that you want to go to Romania. The application processes for Romanian visas are separated into two steps; online application and in-person. They are explained thus:
- Send an application for a Romanian e-visa together with electronic copies of all necessary documentation.
- Present the originals of the necessary papers at a diplomatic mission in Romania.
- Await the approval of your application.
- Reappear at the diplomatic mission on the scheduled day.
- Pay the long-stay visa cost for Romania which is €120.
- Await the processing of your application: you may monitor the status on the online application tool.
The employees of the Romanian diplomatic mission will tell you of the outcome and the date by which you may obtain your passport and visa after processing and approval of your application.
Validity of Romanian long-term visa
The length of a long-stay visa for Romania is the same as that of a short-stay visa: up to 90 days. The distinction is that a long-stay visa enables you to get an extension to extend your stay and a Romanian resident permit after you have arrived in the country. If you arrived on a Romanian short-term visa, you cannot request a stay extension or a residence permit. You must seek authorization for an extended stay in the country and apply for a Romanian resident permit after arriving on a long-stay visa for Romania. The residency permit gives you the legal right to remain in the country over the 90-day limit set out by the long-stay visa.