Family Reunification
Bring Your Family to Romania
Romania provides a family reunification pathway allowing eligible third-country nationals who legally reside in Romania to bring qualifying family members to live with them.
Depending on the sponsor's Romanian residence status and the family relationship, spouses, children and certain dependent relatives may qualify.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists international clients in assessing family reunification eligibility and coordinates the immigration process together with qualified legal and immigration professionals.
Who Can Sponsor Family Reunification?
A third-country national may generally request family reunification when holding an eligible Romanian residence status. Qualifying sponsors can include holders of:
- Temporary Residence Permit Valid for at Least One Year
- EU Blue Card
- ICT Permit
- Mobile ICT Permit
- Long-Term Residence Permit
- Refugee Status
- Subsidiary Protection
Special rules apply to certain categories.
Who Can Join You? — Spouse
A legally married husband or wife may qualify for family reunification.
Who Can Join You? — Minor Children
Family reunification can generally be requested for:
- Unmarried Minor Children of the Sponsor
- Unmarried Minor Children of the Sponsor's Spouse
- Adopted Minor Children
Subject to the applicable parental and custody requirements.
Who Can Join You? — Dependent Parents
The sponsor's or spouse's first-degree relatives in the ascending line may potentially qualify where they cannot provide for themselves and do not have appropriate family support in their home country.
Who Can Join You? — Dependent Adult Children
Adult unmarried children may potentially qualify where they are unable to provide for themselves because of medical reasons.
Special Rules for Certain Residence Holders
Certain categories benefit from more flexible family reunification rules. Holders of:
- EU Blue Card
- ICT Permit
- Mobile ICT Permit
- Residence for Scientific Research
May request family reunification even when their Romanian residence permit is valid for less than one year.
Step 1 – Family Reunification Approval
The first major step is obtaining a favourable family reunification opinion from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI).
The sponsor submits the application to the competent territorial IGI unit in Romania.
General Inspectorate for Immigration – IGI
Documents for Family Reunification Approval
Depending on the individual case, documents generally include:
- Family Reunification Application
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- Evidence of Family Relationship
- Sponsor's Romanian Residence Documentation
- Proof of Legal Accommodation
- Proof of Financial Means
- Proof of Social Health Insurance
- Copy of the Family Member's Passport
- Declaration that the Family Will Live Together
- Parental Consent where applicable
- Additional Documents Required by IGI
Foreign Family Documents
Foreign marriage certificates, birth certificates and other civil-status documents may need to be translated and, depending on the country and applicable rules, apostilled or legalized before they are accepted by the Romanian authorities.
Accommodation Requirement
The sponsor must demonstrate appropriate legal accommodation in Romania.
The accommodation must generally be considered suitable for a comparable family in Romania.
Evidence can include qualifying documentation establishing the legal right to use the residence.
Financial Requirement
The sponsor must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support the family.
Under the current rules, the sponsor generally needs means of support beyond those required for themselves corresponding to the net minimum wage for each family member being sponsored.
The exact monetary amount changes when Romania updates the applicable minimum wage.
Net Minimum Wage Per Family Member
Health Insurance
The sponsor must provide evidence of coverage within the Romanian social health insurance system according to the applicable requirements.
No Bigamy or Polygamy
Family reunification will not be approved where the application would result in a situation involving bigamy or polygamy under the applicable Romanian rules.
Minor Children & Custody
Where another person shares custody of a minor child, written consent may be required for the child to live with the sponsor in Romania.
The applicable parental and custody documentation must be provided.
IGI Processing Time
The Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration generally decides the family reunification request within up to 3 months from the date the application is submitted.
Up to 3 Months
After Approval
If the family reunification application is approved, the sponsor receives the favourable decision.
The sponsor then provides the approval to the qualifying family member abroad.
Step 2 – Long-Stay Visa for Family Reunification
Following approval, the family member proceeds with an application for the Romanian long-stay visa for family reunification.
The visa application is submitted through the competent Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office.
60-Day Deadline
Following issuance of the favourable family reunification communication, the family member generally presents it to the Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office within 60 days, together with the application for the long-stay family reunification visa.
Within 60 Days
Step 3 – Entry into Romania
Following approval of the long-stay visa, the family member can enter Romania in accordance with the applicable immigration conditions.
Step 4 – Residence Permit
After arrival, the family member proceeds with the applicable Romanian residence procedure.
The residence permit allows the qualifying family member to remain legally in Romania according to the conditions of the approved family reunification pathway.
Special Category Pathways
Application Process
- 01
Sponsor Eligibility Assessment
We review the sponsor's Romanian residence status and determine whether family reunification is available.
- 02
Family Eligibility Assessment
The family relationship and individual circumstances of each family member are reviewed.
- 03
Document Preparation
Marriage, birth, custody, accommodation, financial and insurance documentation is coordinated.
- 04
IGI Family Reunification Application
The sponsor submits the family reunification request to the competent Romanian immigration authority.
- 05
IGI Approval
If the requirements are satisfied, IGI issues the favourable family reunification decision.
- 06
Long-Stay Visa
The family member applies for the appropriate Romanian long-stay family reunification visa.
- 07
Entry into Romania
Following visa approval, the family member enters Romania.
- 08
Residence Permit
The family member completes the Romanian residence procedure.
Who May Benefit?
Family Reunification can be relevant for families of:
- Foreign Employees
- Business Owners
- Entrepreneurs
- EU Blue Card Holders
- ICT Permit Holders
- Researchers
- Long-Term Residents
- Other Eligible Romanian Residence Permit Holders
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my spouse join me?
Potentially yes. A legally married spouse is one of the principal family-member categories recognised under Romania's family reunification rules.
Can my children join me?
Generally yes for qualifying unmarried minor children, subject to the applicable custody and documentation requirements.
Can I bring my parents?
Potentially. Certain first-degree dependent parents may qualify where they cannot support themselves and lack appropriate family support in their country of origin.
Can an adult child qualify?
In limited circumstances. An unmarried adult child who cannot provide for themselves for medical reasons may potentially qualify.
How long does the first approval take?
IGI states that the family reunification request is decided within up to 3 months.
Do I need accommodation?
Yes. The sponsor generally needs to demonstrate appropriate legal accommodation for the family.
Do I need to show financial means?
Yes. The sponsor generally needs additional means of support corresponding to the applicable net minimum wage for each sponsored family member.
Does an EU Blue Card holder need a one-year permit first?
No. EU Blue Card holders are among the categories that can request family reunification even when their residence permit is valid for less than one year.
Bring Your Family to Romania
Build Your Future Together
Relocation is not only about obtaining an individual residence permit. For many international professionals, entrepreneurs and families, the ability to live together is an essential part of the immigration strategy.
CETO can help assess your family's eligibility and coordinate the Romanian family reunification process together with qualified professional partners.
Family reunification eligibility depends on the sponsor's residence status, family relationship, financial circumstances, accommodation and individual immigration history. Different rules apply to family members of Romanian citizens and EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.