Romania Long Stay D Visas

Foreign nationals travelling to Romania to accept paid employment with a Romanian company are granted a Romania work visa, commonly known as a Romanian Employment Visa (D/AM). You need a work permit from the Romanian Inspectorate General for Immigration in order to obtain a work visa. Your employer in Romania will submit the application on your behalf.

Once you have a work permit, you can apply from your home country for a Romanian work visa.

Types of Work Visas in Romania

Romania is a member state of the European Union (EU), so the laws regarding work visas and permits are similar to those of other countries in the EU. Citizens of other EU member states do not need a permit to work in Romania, nor do citizens of Switzerland and other countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). These countries include Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

Any prospective employee who is not from one of these countries will need a work permit. There are several kinds of permits for foreign citizens in Romania, including permits for:

• Seasonal workers
• Trainees
• Athletes
• Permanent employees
• Cross-border workers
• Nominal work

Requirements to Obtain Romania Work Visas

In Romania, foreign citizens cannot apply for a work permit on their own behalf. The employer must apply for them.

A permit will be issued only if there are no Romanian citizens or citizens in other EU or EEA member states who are eligible to fill the position. This is one condition of eligibility for a permit. Other conditions include that the prospective employee must:

• Meet all of the employer’s requirements for the position under legal provisions
• Have no criminal record that would prevent them from working in Romania
• Provide a medical certificate that states their capability to carry out the tasks required for the job
• Fall within the yearly quota for foreign citizens who may be granted a work permit

The employee will also need to apply for a long-term visa. Along with the application, the employee should be prepared to provide several documents, including:

• The work permit obtained by the employer
• Proof of accommodation in Romania
• A valid passport
• Two recent identifying photos
• Proof of medical insurance for the duration of the visit
• Police clearance or a background check from the employee’s country of residence
• Evidence of sufficient financial means to support the visit
• A flight ticket or proof of other accommodations for travel

Application Process

Foreign citizens will need a work permit as well as a long-term visa to live and work in Romania legally. Here are the necessary steps to obtain these documents:

• The employer must apply for the work permit on behalf of the prospective employee, submitting all relevant documents to the Inspectorate General for Immigration (IGI) and paying the applicable fees.
• The IGI will answer the request within 30 days, either providing a decision or requesting more information for verification. If additional verification is needed, the process may be extended for up to 15 days.
• Once the application is approved by the IGI, a work permit will be issued to the prospective employee.
• The employee must then obtain a long-term visa by applying through the diplomatic missions and consular offices of Romania. The employee has a window of 60 days to apply after obtaining their work permit.

Other Important Considerations

If an employee needs to extend the residence granted by their long-term visa, they can request to do so through the IGI. They’ll need to file the request at least 30 days before their visa is set to expire. Their work permit may be renewed at the same time.

In Romania, most work permits can be extended for up to a year. Highly skilled employees may be qualified for an extension of two years.

It’s likely that some of your employees will be traveling with family members. Each family member will need their own long-term visa as well as their own work permit if they wish to seek employment in Romania.

Foreign citizens who wish to visit Romania in order to continue their education at a Romanian educational institution are granted the Romania Study Visa (D/SD). Researchers, students participating in educational initiatives, exchange programmes, or unpaid training programmes are also included.

You must first get permission to study from the Romanian Ministry of Education in order to apply for a study visa in Romania.

You can work part-time in Romania for up to four hours each day without obtaining a separate work permit.

Romania study visa requirements

When applying for a Romania study visa, you must have the following documents:

• Proof of acceptance for studying issued by the Romania Ministry of Education
• Proof you have paid the tuition fee for at least one academic year
• Proof of financial support, proving you are able to maintain yourself for the duration of your stay. Financial requirements are for at least the minimum guaranteed gross salary.
• Certificate of police clearance from your country.
• Travel medical insurance covering the entire duration of your stay.
• Proof of accommodation in Romania for the duration of your stay.
• If you are underage: Consent from your parent or legal guardian to live in Romania for the purpose of studying.
• If you are taking part in an unpaid training program:
  • The professional training agreement, stating the description and duration of the training as well as the legal relationship between you and your host.
  • A written statement from the host that guarantees they are responsible for your the cost of your repatriation should you overstay your visa
  • Proof you have either finished a higher education course within the two years prior to the application or that you are currently in on-going studies.
• A Romania visa application form, which you can download from the website of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The application form has to be completed in typed letter and signed.
• Two recent pictures which are in line with Romania visa photo requirements.
  • 3cm x 4cm where your face takes up 70% – 80% of the picture
  • Taken on a white background
• A valid passport or travel document, which:
  • Is recognized by Romania
  • Is valid for at least another three months after your visa expires
  • Was issued in the previous ten years
  • Has at least two blank pages where the Romania consular staff can affix your visa.
• Flight ticket.

Non-EU nationals who want to reunite with their family in Romania are given the Romania Family Reunification Visa (D/VF).

The Romanian resident who serves as the sponsor must be one of the following in order for them to bring their family members with them:

• A Romanian or EU citizen
• A Romanian residence permit holder, EU Blue Card holder, of an ICT permit holder

Sponsors can bring the following family members through a Romanian family reunification visa:

• Their spouse
• Their unmarried, minor children (biological or adopted), including the spouse’s children.
• Their parents, if they are dependent on the sponsor.

The Romania General Inspectorate for Immigration must grant permission before the non-EU national can apply for a long-stay visa.

The sponsor must present the following records to the Inspectorate General for Immigration to request approval for family reunification:

• Documents proving family ties
• An authenticated letter stating that the sponsor will live together with his/her family members.
• Proof of sufficient financial means to support his/her family members
• The copy of the passport of the non-EU family member living abroad who wants to join the sponsor in Romania.
• If the sponsor is applying to bring his.her child, a statement from the other parent or legal guardian stating they agree.

The only need for family members of Romanian or EU citizens is to submit an application through a Romanian diplomatic post or consular office there.

The following documentation is required when you apply for a Romania family reunification visa:

• Approval from the Inspectorate General for Immigration for family reunification, if the sponsor is a non-EU national.
• Documents attesting family relationship, which is issued by Romanian authorities or transcribed in accordance with the law, such as:
  • Marriage certificate for spouses
  • Birth certificate, for children and parents
  • Any other documents proving family ties
• Certificate of police clearance issued from your country of residence.
• A Romania visa application form, which you can download from the website of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The application form has to be completed in typed letter and signed.
• Two recent pictures which are in line with Romania visa photo requirements.
  • 3cm x 4cm where your face takes up 70% – 80% of the picture
  • Taken on a white background
• A valid passport or travel document, which:
  • Is recognized by Romania
  • Is valid for at least another three months after your visa expires
  • Was issued in the previous ten years
  • Has at least two blank pages where the Romania consular staff can affix your visa.
• Flight ticket.