Permanent Workers
Foreign nationals employed under qualifying full-time employment arrangements.
🇷🇴 Romania
Employment & Work Permits
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Romania provides employment and residence pathways for eligible third-country nationals who have received a qualifying job offer from a Romanian employer.
In many cases, the immigration process begins with the Romanian employer obtaining an employment permit for the foreign worker. The applicant can then proceed with the appropriate long-stay visa and residence procedure.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists international employees and Romanian employers in understanding the applicable immigration pathway and coordinates the process together with qualified legal and immigration professionals.
Who Can Apply?
Employment-based immigration can be available to third-country nationals who have received a qualifying employment offer in Romania. Depending on the type of employment, different categories and requirements may apply. Potential categories include:
- Permanent Workers
- Seasonal Workers
- Trainee Workers
- Cross-Border Workers
- Au Pair Workers
- Other Eligible Foreign Employees
Highly qualified professionals and intra-corporate transferees are subject to specific immigration pathways and are covered separately.
Permanent Workers
One of the principal employment routes is the employment permit for permanent workers. A Romanian employer may obtain an employment permit in order to employ an eligible third-country national under a full-time employment contract.
The contract can generally be for an indefinite period or for a fixed period, subject to Romanian employment and immigration law.
The Employer Generally Starts the Process
Unlike immigration pathways where the foreign national applies independently, the Romanian employment process generally begins with the Romanian employer. The employer applies to the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration for the required employment permit, also known as the Aviz de Angajare.
Only after the applicable employment authorization has been obtained can the foreign employee generally proceed with the corresponding long-stay employment visa.
Aviz de Angajare
Employment Permit Requirements
The Romanian authorities assess both the employer and the foreign employee before an employment permit is issued. The exact requirements depend on the worker category and individual circumstances.
Employer Requirements
Depending on the applicable category, the Romanian employer may need to demonstrate matters such as:
- Genuine Business Activity
- Available Job Position
- Compliance with Romanian Employment Law
- Compliance with Tax Obligations
- Appropriate Recruitment Procedure
- Ability to Employ the Foreign Worker
- Appropriate Employment Conditions
- Compliance with Applicable Immigration Requirements
Labour Market Requirements
For many permanent-worker applications, the employer must demonstrate that efforts were made to fill the vacancy with eligible workers already available on the Romanian labour market.
This can involve obtaining documentation from the competent Romanian employment agency and advertising the available position. The procedure generally considers the availability of:
- Romanian Citizens
- EU / EEA Citizens
- Swiss Citizens
- Eligible Long-Term Residents
Certain exemptions from this requirement can apply under Romanian law.
Employee Requirements
The foreign worker generally needs to:
- Meet the Professional Requirements for the Position
- Have the Required Qualifications or Experience
- Be Medically Fit for the Employment
- Satisfy Applicable Criminal Record Requirements
- Hold a Valid Travel Document
- Satisfy Romanian Immigration Requirements
For regulated professions, additional professional authorization or recognition may be required.
The Employment Permit
If the applicable conditions are satisfied, the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration can issue the Aviz de Angajare.
The employment permit authorizes the Romanian employer to employ the specified foreign worker under the approved conditions. It should not be confused with the employee's visa or residence permit.
From Employment Permit to Residence
- 01
Step 1 – Employment Permit
The employment permit is obtained by the Romanian employer.
- 02
Step 2 – Long-Stay Visa for Employment
Following issuance of the employment permit, the foreign national generally proceeds with an application for the Romanian long-stay visa for employment, visa category D/AM.
- 03
Step 3 – Entry into Romania
Following approval of the long-stay visa, the employee can enter Romania according to the applicable immigration conditions.
- 04
Step 4 – Temporary Residence
After arrival, the foreign worker must complete the applicable residence procedure with the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration. The resulting residence documentation allows the foreign national to remain in Romania for the approved employment purpose.
Long-Stay Visa – D/AM
The D/AM visa is Romania's long-stay visa used for employment purposes in qualifying cases. Depending on the individual circumstances, supporting documents can include:
- Valid Passport
- Employment Permit
- Evidence of Financial Means where required
- Criminal Record Certificate
- Medical / Travel Insurance
- Evidence of Accommodation or Other Required Information
- Additional Documents Requested by the Authorities
The exact requirements should always be checked according to the applicant's nationality and employment category.
Required Documents for the Employment Permit
Depending on the employment category, the Romanian employer may need to provide documents such as:
- Employment Permit Application
- Employer Corporate Documentation
- Tax Compliance Documentation
- Evidence Regarding the Available Position
- Organizational Chart
- Job Description
- Recruitment Evidence
- Firm Employment Offer
- Employee Curriculum Vitae
- Evidence of Qualifications
- Evidence of Professional Experience
- Employee Criminal Record Certificate
- Employer Criminal Record Documentation where required
- Copy of the Employee's Passport
- Professional Authorization where applicable
- Additional Supporting Documents
The precise documentation depends on the worker category and individual application.
Employment Contract
For a permanent-worker employment permit, the proposed employment is generally based on a full-time individual employment contract.
The contract may be concluded for an indefinite or fixed period in accordance with Romanian law. Employment conditions must comply with Romanian employment legislation and the conditions approved through the immigration procedure.
Salary & Employment Conditions
Foreign workers must be employed in accordance with Romanian labour and immigration law.
The applicable salary requirements depend on the worker category and current Romanian legislation.
Salary thresholds and minimum wage requirements can change and should therefore be verified at the time of application.
Worker Categories
Seasonal Workers
Foreign nationals employed temporarily in sectors where activity depends on the changing seasons.
Trainee Workers
Eligible foreign nationals undertaking qualifying professional training or employment-based development activities.
Cross-Border Workers
Certain foreign nationals residing in a neighbouring country who work in Romania under the applicable conditions.
Au Pair Workers
Eligible foreign nationals temporarily hosted by a Romanian family under the applicable au pair requirements.
Highly Qualified Workers
Highly qualified professionals are subject to specific requirements and may have access to Romania's EU Blue Card pathway.
Intra-Corporate Transferees
Managers, specialists and trainee employees transferred within an international corporate group can be subject to Romania's dedicated ICT rules.
Can You Change Employer?
Romanian employment residence rights can be connected to the employer and employment conditions on which the immigration authorization was granted.
Changing employer or employment circumstances may therefore require a new employment permit, immigration notification, residence documentation changes, or additional approval, depending on the worker's status and circumstances.
The immigration position should be reviewed before changing employment.
Family Relocation
Eligible foreign workers residing lawfully in Romania may potentially have access to family reunification. Qualifying family members can include, depending on the circumstances:
- Spouse
- Minor Children
- Certain Other Eligible Family Members
Separate requirements apply to family reunification.
Long-Term Residence
Employment in Romania can form part of a longer-term residence strategy. Eligible third-country nationals who establish the required period of qualifying lawful and continuous residence may eventually become eligible for long-term residence in Romania.
Separate residence-period, integration and other requirements apply.
Application Process
- 01
1. Job Offer
The foreign national obtains a qualifying employment offer from a Romanian employer.
- 02
2. Employer Assessment
The employer and proposed employment are reviewed against the applicable Romanian requirements.
- 03
3. Employment Permit Application
The Romanian employer applies for the appropriate employment permit with the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration.
- 04
4. Employment Permit Approval
If the requirements are satisfied, the employment permit is issued.
- 05
5. Long-Stay Visa
The foreign national applies for the D/AM long-stay employment visa.
- 06
6. Entry & Residence
Following entry into Romania, the foreign worker completes the temporary residence procedure with the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which visa do I need?
For qualifying standard employment, the relevant Romanian long-stay visa is generally the D/AM visa.
Can I work for any employer?
Not automatically. Employment-based immigration authorization is generally connected to the approved employer and employment conditions. A change of employer may require additional immigration procedures.
Can my family join me?
Potentially yes. Eligible foreign workers may have access to Romanian family reunification procedures, subject to the applicable requirements.
Can employment lead to long-term residence?
Potentially yes. Qualifying lawful residence based on employment can contribute toward eligibility for Romanian long-term residence, subject to the separate applicable requirements.
Start Your Career in Romania
Work & Build Your Future in the European Union
Romania offers employment opportunities for international workers across a range of industries and professional sectors.
Whether you are an international professional seeking employment in Romania or a Romanian company recruiting foreign employees, CETO can help assess the appropriate immigration pathway and coordinate the required process together with qualified professional partners.
An employment offer does not automatically guarantee the issuance of an employment permit, visa or residence right. Romanian immigration authorities assess the employer, employee, employment conditions and applicable legal requirements. Employment categories, salary requirements, immigration quotas, government fees and administrative procedures may change.