Guide to Romania Work Visas: How to Obtain Legal Work Authorization in Romania

Romania is a growing hub for international business in Eastern Europe. With its strategic location, expanding tech and services sectors, and competitive costs, it is increasingly attractive for foreign professionals. For anyone considering a move, securing the right to work legally in Romania is essential—and can be complex for non-EU and non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals.

This guide breaks down the types of work permits available, outlines the step-by-step visa process, and covers the basics about obtaining legal work authorization in Romania.

Work permit requirements in Romania

Here’s the thing about working in Romania: If you’re not from the EU or the EEA, it’s a whole process. Layers of paperwork. Approvals. Little steps hidden inside bigger ones. And you have to get through all of these before you can even start the job.

It’s simpler for EU and EEA nationals. You work. You go home. No drama. But for everyone else, there’s a complicated choreography: you apply, but also your future employer applies, because they’re actually the ones who have to get the official work authorization to hire you. It’s kind of like a buddy system, except your buddy is an HR department with a very serious checklist.

And the important part? If you skip any of this—intentionally or not—you can end up with fines, deportation, even a ban on coming back. Which is why everyone involved ends up tiptoeing through the process like it’s a very official, very bureaucratic obstacle course. Because it is. And you really do have to get every step right.

Types of work permits available in Romania

Romania offers several pathways for non-EU talent, depending on the job type, contract length, and qualifications:

• Long-stay visa (D/AM type). Issued for employment purposes. The first step for foreign professionals seeking to work in Romania. Typically valid for 90 days and allows entry into Romania to apply for residency.
• Temporary residence permit (TRP). Allows a longer stay (usually one year) and grants the right to work during that time. Foreign nationals must apply for a TRP after entering with a long-stay visa.
• Employment-specific permits. Tailored to specific types of employees, including:
  • Highly skilled employees (Blue Card holders)
  • Seasonal employees
  • Trainees or seconded employees
  • Cross-border service providers
• Special categories. Alternate or expedited routes may apply to certain people, such as researchers, students, and intra-company transfers.

How U.S. citizens can work in Romania

U.S. citizens must first secure a job offer from a Romanian employer, which then applies for a work permit on the applicant’s behalf. Once approved, the applicant can apply for a long-stay visa.

Upon arrival, U.S. citizens must submit an application for a residence permit at the General Inspectorate for Immigration. Working without this permit is not allowed, even if a visa has already been issued.

Romanian work visa requirements

• Valid passport. Must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay.
• Documentation and employer sponsorship. The Romanian employer applies for a work permit through the General Inspectorate for Immigration. Once granted, the applicant receives an official approval letter.
• Long-stay visa (D/AM). The applicant then applies for a visa at a Romanian consulate. This visa allows initial entry into Romania.

The process usually takes several months and additional documentation may be requested, especially for roles in sensitive sectors. Employer of record (EOR) services can help speed things along.

Requirements for work authorization in Romania

Applicants must meet several requirements, including:

• Valid employment contract. The job must be full time and comply with Romanian labor laws.
• Financial documentation. Applicants must show they can support themselves during their stay.
• Health insurance. Applicants must provide documentation.
• Background check. A clean criminal record is mandatory for both visa and residence applications.

Even if these requirements are met, it does not guarantee authorization, as Romania limits the number of foreign employees it admits each year to approximately 140,000.

Applying for a temporary residence card (TRC)

After arriving in Romania with a D/AM visa, employees must apply for a TRC within 90 days. This card serves as both a work and residency permit.

The process involves:

• Submitting an application to the immigration office based on the employee’s place of residence
• Providing a valid rental agreement or proof of accommodation
• Furnishing documents such as a passport, work contract, employer sponsorship, and proof of health insurance

The TRC is typically valid for one year and renewable annually. Processing times can vary, but generally range from 30 to 45 days.

Rights and responsibilities of foreign talent

Foreigners working in Romania enjoy similar rights as local employees, such as minimum wage guarantees, access to healthcare, and more.

Employees are also entitled to renew or extend their residence and work permits as long as they continue to meet requirements. In some cases, they may apply for family reunification, allowing dependents to join them in Romania.

Major cities like Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Timișoara are cited by expats as excellent places to live, with a low cost of living and engaging culture being large draws.

FAQ

How long does it take to get a work visa for Romania?

In general, a couple of months.

It takes 30 to 45 days for a work authorization to be approved. Once done, the foreign national must visit a Romanian consulate to apply for a D/AM visa, which functions as a 90-day work and residency permit that allows entry into the country. The long-stay visa takes about 10 to 14 days to process.

Can foreign nationals extend their Romania work permits or residence cards?

Yes. Romania’s TRC, which foreign nationals apply for after arriving in Romania on a long-stay visa and functions as both a work and residency permit, lasts for one year and may be renewed annually.

What are the most common reasons Romania work visa applications are rejected?

Missing documentation, like an inability to prove health insurance, is a common reason. Other reasons are insufficient English language skills and security or trafficking concerns.

Do U.S. citizens need a residence permit to work legally in Romania?

Yes. Only citizens of the EU and EEA do not need to apply for a TRC.

Can companies without legal entities hire foreign employees in Romania?

It depends. If an employer wants to hire a full- or part-time employee, they must create a legal entity or engage an EOR to hire the foreign employee. If neither option is appealing, they can hire a Romanian independent contractor. However, contractors are subject to different rules and regulations than employees and pose compliance risks if mishandled.

What Pebl can do for you

Navigating Romania’s work authorization process can feel overwhelming, like you hit a wall. Not a real wall, but the kind made of forms and legal steps and acronyms you’ve never seen before. Everything suddenly seems slower, more complicated.

And this is where Pebl comes in, like the friend who actually reads the very long and very not reader-friendly instructions. Our Employer of Record (EOR)Employer of Record service simplifies global hiring. We handle the compliance, onboarding, and payroll—the stuff that has to be perfect—so you don’t have to.

Whether you’re entering Romania for the first time or scaling remote teams across borders, we ensure your talent can start working faster. And the best part? Everything stays fully, officially, and legally compliant.

If you want to learn how we make hiring in Romania smoother, or just talk to someone who lives and breathes this global expansion stuff, we’re ready when you are.

This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided “as is,” and no representations are made that the content is error-free.

© 2025 Pebl, LLC. All rights reserved.