Visas and residence permits
in Romania.

Long-stay visa for employment

A visa for employment is granted under the rules applicable to the worker’s category. Emergency Ordinance 32/2026 introduced WorkinRomania.gov.ro and the single application, but did not immediately replace every old procedure in April. Article 48 provided for registration/authorisation and testing until 7 August 2026; IGI announced the platform’s launch on that date.

Articles 49–51 retain transitional rules for certain applications filed or scheduled and for the related authorisations, visas and residence extensions. For authorisations covered by Article 49(3), the visa may be requested within 180 days of obtaining the authorisation. Changing employer follows separate rules. The procedure depends on the worker’s category and the date and stage of the file.

In its announcement of 15 September 2026, IGI reported the temporary disabling of employer registration and authorisation flows and the D/AM2 single application following the judicial suspension of Order 1073/2026 on shortage occupations. This does not mean all functions were stopped. Before applying, check the latest IGI guidance and the flow actually available.

Depending on the applicable regime, the conditions checked include:

• The employer operates lawfully in Romania and is up to date with its payments to the state budget;
• The foreign national meets the training, experience and licensing requirements for the job;
• The foreign national is medically fit and has no criminal record incompatible with the work they are to carry out;
• The employment falls within the annual quota of newly admitted foreign workers set by Government decision.

Long-stay visa for commercial activities

Granted to foreign nationals who are, or are about to become, partners or shareholders in Romanian companies with management and administrative duties, on the basis of a business plan approved by the competent authority.

Long-stay visa for other purposes

Granted on application by Romania's diplomatic missions and consular offices in the country where the foreign national lives, to the following categories:

• People appointed as directors of a company;
• People seconded by a foreign company based in a World Trade Organization member state to its representative office, branch or subsidiary in Romania, or to a Romanian company in which the foreign company is a partner or shareholder;
• People seconded by an employer based abroad to a legal entity in Romania under a services contract between the two;
• People whose access to the Romanian labour market is governed by bilateral agreements between Romania and other countries.

Long-stay visa for family members of Romanian citizens

Family members of Romanian citizens apply directly to Romanian diplomatic missions or consular offices for a long-stay family reunification visa under Article 46(16)–(18) of Emergency Ordinance 194/2002. Eligible categories include:

The documents include a Romanian marriage certificate or one registered in Romania as required by law, or evidence of kinship, partnership or residence in another Member State, as appropriate. A visa may be refused for a marriage of convenience previously established under the law or for bigamy or polygamy. The foreign spouse’s residence entitlement when the marriage was concluded in Romania is not an additional general condition in this eligibility list.

The visa and extension of residence are separate procedures. After entry, the requirements and documents for a residence permit must be checked separately, including Article 62 of Emergency Ordinance 194/2002; visa eligibility does not automatically guarantee an extension.

• Foreign nationals married to Romanian citizens;
• Unmarried partners living with unmarried Romanian citizens and having at least one child together;
• Children of the Romanian citizen, their spouse or partner, including adopted children: under 21; or continuing their studies and not older than 26; or adults unable to support themselves for medical reasons;
• First-degree relatives in the ascending line of the Romanian citizen or their spouse;
• The foreign parent of a Romanian minor, with evidence that they support the child or regularly comply with an obligation to pay child maintenance;
• Foreign family members of Romanian citizens with evidence that they are registered with a right of residence in another Member State in that capacity.

Long-stay visa for family reunification

May be granted to the family members of foreign nationals who have a temporary or permanent right of residence, and of refugees recognised by the Romanian state. Family reunification may be requested for:

• A husband or wife;
• The unmarried minor children of the holder of the right of residence and their spouse, including children adopted jointly;
• The unmarried minor children, including adopted children, of the holder of the right of residence, if they are actually dependent on the holder;
• The unmarried minor children, including adopted children, of the spouse of the holder of the right of residence, if they are actually dependent on the holder.

Long-stay visa for economic activities

Granted to foreign nationals who are to carry out economic activities on a self-employed basis or through family businesses, under the law on economic activities carried out by individuals.

Long-stay visa for studies

May be granted to foreign nationals on application, within the number of places set by law, by Romania's diplomatic missions and consular offices in the country where they live.

Long-stay visa for humanitarian or religious activities

Granted to foreign nationals on application by Romania's diplomatic missions and consular offices in the country where they live.