What is the Romania Job Offer (Work) Visa?
The Romania Job Offer (Work) Visa is not a single document but a multi-stage process that allows non-EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens to be employed in Romania. It begins with a work permit (aviz de angajare), which your prospective Romanian employer must obtain on your behalf from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI). Once the work permit is secured, you, the applicant, can then apply for a Long-Stay Visa for Employment (D/AM) at the Romanian embassy or consulate in your home country or country of residence. Upon entering Romania with this visa, you must then apply for a temporary residence permit to finalize your legal stay and work authorization.
Purpose of the Romania Job Offer Visa
The primary purpose of the Romania Job Offer Visa is to facilitate the entry of skilled and semi-skilled foreign nationals to fill labor market gaps in Romania. The visa program aims to support the country’s economic growth by allowing companies to recruit international talent when no qualified Romanian or EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are available for specific roles. This mechanism ensures that foreign workers contribute to the Romanian economy and bring valuable skills and expertise to various sectors.
Eligibility Criteria for the Romania Job Offer (Work) Visa
To be eligible for a Romania Job Offer (Work) Visa, you must meet several conditions, largely facilitated by your prospective employer:
- Valid Job Offer: You must have a confirmed and firm employment offer from a Romanian employer. This will typically be in the form of a signed employment contract or an official job offer letter detailing your position, salary, and employment duration.
- Employer Sponsorship: Your Romanian employer is responsible for initiating the process by applying for a work permit on your behalf. They must prove to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) that there are no qualified Romanian or EU/EEA/Swiss nationals available to fill the position.
- Qualifications and Experience: You must possess the necessary professional qualifications, diplomas, certifications, and work experience required for the specific job role, as stipulated by Romanian law and the employer’s requirements.
- Clean Criminal Record: A criminal record certificate (police clearance) from your country of origin and any country you have resided in for the past five years is mandatory. This document must be legalized or apostilled and officially translated into Romanian.
- Medical Fitness: You must provide a medical certificate confirming your fitness to carry out the job duties and that you do not suffer from any diseases that could pose a public health risk.
- Proof of Accommodation: You will need to provide evidence of adequate accommodation in Romania, such as a rental agreement or a letter from your employer guaranteeing accommodation.
- Sufficient Financial Means: While your salary from the job offer will cover this, you may need to show proof of financial means equivalent to at least the national gross minimum wage for the entire validity period of the visa.
- Valid Passport: Your passport or travel document must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in Romania and have at least two blank pages.
- Language Proficiency (Conditional): Depending on the nature of the job, a basic knowledge of the Romanian language or proficiency in an international language may be required.
Application Process for the Romania Job Offer (Work) Visa
The process for obtaining a Romania Job Offer (Work) Visa is sequential and involves both your employer and you:
Step 1: Secure a Job Offer
Your journey begins by securing a valid employment offer from a Romanian employer. This is the foundational step, as no work permit or visa application can proceed without it.
Step 2: Employer Applies for Work Permit (General Inspectorate for Immigration – IGI)
Your prospective employer is responsible for applying for your work permit. They will gather and submit a dossier of documents to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) in Romania. This dossier typically includes proof of your qualifications, job description, efforts to recruit locally, and financial standing of the company. The IGI processes these requests generally within 30 days, though this can be extended by up to 15 days if additional verification is needed.
⚠ Crucial Update for 2025: Temporary Suspension of Work Permit Appointments ⚠
As of June 2025, the Romanian Immigration Department has temporarily suspended all new online appointments for work permits until October 2025. This decision was made due to detected fraudulent activity within the system to protect the integrity of the application process. This impacts all non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals requiring a new work permit. If you are planning to apply, it is essential to regularly check the official websites of the General Inspectorate for Immigration and Romanian diplomatic missions for updates on when appointments will resume. Employers in affected sectors are advised to prepare all documents in advance so they are ready to file as soon as slots reopen.
Step 3: Applicant Applies for Long-Stay Employment Visa (D/AM)
Once your employer has successfully obtained the work permit, you, the applicant, must then apply for the Long-Stay Visa for Employment (D/AM). This application must typically be submitted within 60 days of the work permit’s issuance date, otherwise, the permit may expire.
- Online Application: Initiate your application through the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ E-VIZA portal. You will upload electronic copies of all required documents.
- In-Person Submission: After submitting online, you will typically need to schedule an appointment and submit the original documents to the Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office in your country of origin or residence.
- Required Documents for Visa: These generally include the original work permit, your valid passport, a completed visa application form, recent passport-sized photos, a medical certificate, your criminal record certificate (apostilled/legalized and translated), proof of comprehensive health insurance, proof of accommodation, and proof of financial means.
- Visa Processing Time: Once your complete application is submitted in person, the visa processing usually takes between 10 and 14 business days.
Step 4: Enter Romania and Obtain Residence Permit
Upon approval, the Long-Stay Employment Visa (D/AM) will be affixed in your passport. After entering Romania, you must then apply for a temporary residence permit (Permis de ședere) at the local General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) office in your place of residence. This step is crucial as it extends your legal right to stay and work in Romania for the duration of your employment contract, typically up to one year, and is renewable.
Benefits of the Romania Job Offer (Work) Visa
Securing a Romania Job Offer (Work) Visa opens up a range of opportunities and benefits:
- Legal Employment & Residency: Grants you the legal right to live and work in Romania, contributing to its economy and integrating into local society.
- Access to EU Market (Indirectly): As Romania is an EU member state, working in Romania provides indirect access to the broader European labor market and experience within an EU economy.
- Pathway to Long-Term Residency & Citizenship: After 5 years of continuous legal residency, you may apply for long-term residency. After 8 years (or 5 years for certain categories like highly skilled workers or those married to Romanian citizens), you may be eligible to apply for Romanian citizenship.
- Family Reunification: Once you establish your residency in Romania, you may be able to apply for family reunification visas for your close family members (spouse, dependent children).
- Cultural Immersion: An opportunity to experience Romania’s rich history, diverse landscapes, and vibrant culture firsthand.
- Specific Benefits for Highly Skilled Workers: For professionals in highly qualified positions, Romania also offers the EU Blue Card, which comes with extended validity (up to 2 years, renewable) and potentially more straightforward intra-EU mobility.
Recent Changes and Program Updates (2025)
Staying informed about recent changes is vital for a smooth application process:
- Work Permit Appointment Suspension (Until October 2025): As mentioned, this is a significant and current update. New applications for work permits are on hold, impacting processing times for new foreign workers.
- Annual Work Permit Quota (100,000 for 2025): The Romanian government has approved a quota of 100,000 work and secondment permits for 2025. This quota is designed to address labor shortages in key sectors such as IT, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and transportation.
- Schengen Access & Implications: Romania became a full Schengen member for air and sea borders on March 31, 2024. While the D/AM visa is a national long-stay visa, this integration simplifies travel to other Schengen countries after you obtain your Romanian temporary residence permit. Land border controls within the Schengen area are still to be lifted in a future decision.
- Employer Obligations & Penalties: Recent immigration law updates (Law no. 28/2024 and Emergency Ordinance no. 25/2024) have introduced stricter rules for employers. Companies must now register new work contracts within 15 working days of a non-EU citizen’s arrival or obtaining a new permit. Failure to comply can result in substantial financial sanctions for employers.
- Minimum Salary Requirements: Regular workers must earn a minimum of 1x the monthly gross minimum salary. Highly-skilled workers typically need to meet a higher threshold, which may be double the average gross salary, depending on the specific work permit category.
- Job Mobility Restrictions (First Year): An amendment limits a migrant’s ability to switch to a new employer during their first year of legal employment in Romania without the written consent of their initial employer. Exceptions apply if the initial contract is terminated by the employer, by mutual agreement, or due to the employer’s failure to fulfill legal obligations.
Key Requirements and Fees at a Glance
Tips for a Successful Application
- Verify Employer Legitimacy: Ensure your prospective employer is a legitimate entity in Romania and has experience sponsoring foreign workers.
- Stay Informed on Quotas & Suspensions: Keep a close eye on official announcements regarding the annual work permit quota and the current suspension of appointments. This will dictate your application timeline.
- Meticulous Document Preparation: Gather all required documents well in advance. Ensure they are complete, accurate, apostilled or legalized (if required by your country and Romania), and officially translated into Romanian by a sworn translator.
- Professional Assistance: Given the complexities and recent changes, consider engaging an immigration lawyer or a reputable immigration agency specializing in Romanian visas. They can provide personalized guidance and help navigate the bureaucratic process.
- Language Skills Consideration: While not always mandatory, demonstrating basic Romanian language skills or proficiency in a widely spoken international language (e.g., English) can be advantageous, particularly in the interview phase.
- Follow Up Diligently: Maintain regular communication with both your employer and the relevant Romanian authorities (IGI, embassy/consulate) to track your application status.
Final Thoughts
Embarking on a professional journey in Romania through a job offer and work visa can be a rewarding experience. While the process involves several steps and requires careful attention to detail, especially with the recent temporary suspension of work permit appointments, Romania offers a vibrant environment for foreign workers. By being well-informed, organized, and proactive, you can successfully navigate the immigration procedures and look forward to building a fulfilling career in this fascinating European nation.
