Immigration Rules — Romania

Romania's Immigration Rules and Regulations

*Note: Immigration regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Romanian Immigration Office (Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări - IGI), Romanian embassies/consulates, or official government sources before making decisions.*

Overview of Romania's Immigration Framework

Romania is an EU member state but is not yet part of the Schengen Area for land/sea borders (partial Schengen implementation began in 2024 for air/sea travel). This creates a dual system:

• EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Free movement rights, simplified registration
• Third-country nationals: Subject to visa requirements, residence permits, and stricter controls

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Visa Categories and Work Restrictions

Short-Stay Visas (Type C)

• Valid for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period
• Generally prohibit employment unless specifically endorsed
• Business visas allow meetings/negotiations but not active employment

Long-Stay Visas (Type D)

Issued for specific purposes, each with distinct restrictions:

| Visa Type | Work Authorization |

|-----------|-------------------|

| D/AM (Employment) | Tied to specific employer/position stated in work permit |

| D/AS (Seasonal work) | Limited to agricultural/tourism sectors, max 9 months/year |

| D/SD (Studies) | Part-time work allowed (typically max 4 hours/day) with restrictions |

| D/VS (Family reunification) | Work rights vary; often requires separate authorization |

| D/CI (Business/Investment) | Business activities only, not traditional employment |

Key Work Restrictions

• Single-permit system: Work authorization is typically employer and position-specific
• Changing employers usually requires a new work permit application
• Work permits are subject to annual quotas set by government decision
• Labor market tests may be required (proving no suitable Romanian/EU candidate exists)
• Unauthorized work is a serious violation triggering permit revocation and potential deportation

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Grounds for Deportation

Romanian authorities can order removal for:

Immigration Violations

• Overstaying visa or residence permit validity
• Working without authorization or outside permit conditions
• Providing false information in applications
• Fraudulent marriage or family relationships claimed for residency

Criminal/Security Grounds

• Conviction for serious crimes (varies by severity, often threshold of 1+ year imprisonment)
• Threats to national security or public order (determined by Romanian Intelligence Service - SRI, or police)
• Involvement in trafficking, terrorism, or organized crime
• Repeat criminal offenses

Administrative Grounds

• Failure to renew residence permits
• Loss of the basis for legal residence (e.g., divorce ending family reunification basis, job loss without new sponsor)
• Public health risks (certain communicable diseases, though EU regulations limit this)
• Insufficient financial means to support oneself

Deportation Process

• Typically preceded by a formal decision with right to appeal
• May include entry ban (commonly 1-5 years, longer for serious violations)
• Voluntary departure period may be granted (typically 15-30 days) before forced removal
• Detention in specialized centers possible pending removal (e.g., Otopeni, Arad centers)

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Overstay Penalties

Fines

• Overstay fines typically range from approximately 100 to 1,100 RON (roughly €20-220), though amounts are periodically updated
• Fine amount often scales with length of overstay

Consequences Beyond Fines

• Entry bans: Even short overstays can trigger bans on future entry (often 1-3 years for minor violations)
• Ineligibility for future visa categories
• Mandatory departure orders
• Detention if voluntary departure isn't executed

Schengen Implications

• Since partial Schengen accession, overstay records may be flagged in the Schengen Information System (SIS), affecting travel across the broader Schengen Area

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Criminal Background Requirements

Documentation Needed

• Criminal record certificate from home country (and any country of residence in past 5 years typically)
• Must usually be:
• Issued within 6 months of application (varies by permit type)
• Apostilled or legalized
• Officially translated into Romanian by certified translator

Disqualifying Factors

• Convictions for crimes against persons, property, public order
• Drug trafficking or related offenses
• Terrorism or security-related offenses
• Some administrative flexibility exists for minor/old offenses, decided case-by-case by IGI

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Health and Biometric Requirements

Medical Requirements

• Health insurance: Mandatory proof of coverage for entire intended stay
• Minimum coverage typically €30,000 for Schengen-style visas
• Can be private insurance or Romanian state system enrollment (for workers)
• Medical certificate: Required for certain long-stay categories confirming absence of diseases posing public health risk (e.g., active tuberculosis)
• Some categories (students, workers) may need additional health screenings

Biometric Requirements

• Biometric residence permits: Romania issues eID-style cards with:
• Fingerprints (all 10 digits, with limited exceptions)
• Digital photograph
• Signature
• Biometric data collected at:
• Consulates (for visa applications, if applicable)
• IGI offices (for residence permit issuance)
• VIS (Visa Information System) and EU biometric databases now integrate Romanian data

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Required Documentation (General Checklist)

For Long-Stay Visa/Residence Permit Applications

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay)
• Visa application form (completed and signed)
• Photographs (biometric standard, typically 2 recent photos)
• Proof of purpose of stay:
• Employment contract + work permit (for workers)
• University acceptance letter (for students)
• Marriage/birth certificates (for family reunification)
• Business registration documents (for investors)
• Financial means proof:
• Bank statements
• Salary guarantee letters
• Sponsorship declarations
• Accommodation proof:
• Rental contract
• Property deed
• Hosting declaration (declarație de găzduire) from Romanian host
• Health insurance certificate
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled/legalized + translated)
• Medical certificate (for certain categories)
• Payment of applicable fees

Fee Ranges (approximate, subject to change)

• Long-stay visa: €120-150
• Residence permit issuance/extension: ~€30-120 depending on category
• Work permit fees: Vary by category, often €150-200 paid by employer

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Maintaining Legal Status

Registration Requirements

• Address registration: Must register residential address with local authorities within specified timeframe (typically 3 days for non-EU, longer grace for EU citizens) after arrival
• Report changes of address within required timeframe (typically 15 days)

Renewal Procedures

• Apply before expiration: Generally recommended 30 days before permit expiry (some categories allow up to 30 days before, some require earlier)
• Late renewal applications may be rejected, forcing exit and fresh application
• Renewal requires updated documentation (proof of continued employment, financial means, etc.)

Reporting Obligations

• Change in circumstances: Must report changes such as:
• Change of employer (often requires new permit)
• Marriage/divorce affecting residency basis
• Change of address
• Failure to report can be treated as fraud or grounds for permit revocation

Long-Term Residence Path

• EU long-term residence permit: Available after 5 years of continuous legal residence
• Requires proof of stable income, health insurance, integration (sometimes including basic Romanian language/civic knowledge)
• Grants enhanced rights, including easier mobility to other EU states

Citizenship Considerations

• Standard naturalization: 8 years of legal residence (reduced to 5 years for certain categories like spouses of Romanian citizens, or those with Romanian heritage)
• Requires Romanian language proficiency, clean criminal record, integration proof

Practical Tips for Maintaining Status

• Keep copies of all permits, entry stamps, and supporting documents
• Track visa/permit expiration dates proactively
• Notify IGI of any changes promptly
• Avoid unauthorized employment even temporarily
• Consult IGI or immigration lawyer before major life changes (job change, divorce, etc.)

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Key Institutional Contacts

• General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI): Primary authority for permits, extensions, and enforcement
• Romanian embassies/consulates: Visa applications from abroad
• Ministry of Labor: Work permit quotas and authorizations
• Local Public Service for Community Records: Address registration

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Important Caveats

• EU regulation harmonization: Many rules stem from EU directives (e.g., Blue Card Directive, Family Reunification Directive) but Romania has national implementing legislation with specific thresholds
• Frequent updates: Quotas, fees, and specific document requirements change annually or with new government decisions
• Category-specific nuances: Rules differ significantly for students, workers, investors, family members, and asylum seekers—this overview is general
• Schengen transition: As Romania's Schengen integration progresses, some border/visa rules may evolve further

Recommendation: For any specific case, consult directly with IGI (www.igi.mai.gov.ro), a Romanian consulate, or a qualified Romanian immigration attorney, as this summary reflects general patterns that may not capture recent legislative changes or category-specific exceptions.

More about immigrating to Romania