Before you come to work

The essentials

To work in Romania you almost always need an employer in Romania and a long-stay visa for work (viză de lungă ședere pentru angajare). You do not request it alone: the employer or an agency starts it, and then you go to the consulate.

There are two types of visa:

• D/AM1: direct employment, for special cases such as highly qualified work. The employer applies.
• D/AM2: through an authorised placement agency, for permanent, seasonal or cross-border work in occupations with staff shortages. It is only granted if the yearly quota is not used up.

The steps

1. A real offer. The employer publishes a firm offer (ofertă fermă) with the salary, the hours, the holidays, the working conditions and, if they provide them, housing and transport.
2. The contracts. You sign the work contract. With D/AM2 there is also a placement contract between the agency, the employer and you.
3. The application. The agency or the employer submits it online, on WorkinRomania. The authorities check it, and if they refuse it they give the reason.
4. The consulate. If it is approved, you go in person to a Romanian consulate with the original documents, and they take your biometric data.
5. The visa. It lets you enter and work. The D/AM2 visa is first valid for 90 days: in that time you must request your residence permit.

How to check the agency

• The agency must be authorised, and the employer must be in the register of employers of foreign workers (R.A.S.). You can check both on WorkinRomania, in the agencies and registers sections.
• An authorised agency in Romania cannot charge you commissions, fees, guarantees or deposits.
• If you come through an agency, it must give you the essential information at least 10 days before you arrive, in a language you know.

Who pays for what

You pay for the visa, the journey, transport inside Romania and housing, unless the firm offer says the employer pays. That is why you should read the offer before you sign.

Documents you will be asked for

According to the procedure before the 2026 reform, which is still a good reference:

• A valid passport.
• A criminal record certificate (cazier judiciar), translated and legalised.
• Diplomas or certificates that prove your training or experience.
• Insurance that covers the visa period.

The consulate decides the exact list, and it can change. Confirm it with them before your appointment.

Warning signs

• Someone asks you for money to get the visa while D/AM2 applications are paused.
• The agency does not appear on WorkinRomania.
• You do not get the contract in a language you understand, or you are asked to sign something you do not understand.
• Someone wants to keep your passport.