Romania Immigration Reform Update: New Unified Work Permit System
Overview
Romania has introduced a new unified system that replaces the current fragmented work permit and visa process. The new process will be managed through a centralized online platform that will handle:
The reform aims to:
However, during the transition period, employers and applicants may experience increased complexity while authorities operationalize the platform, stabilize workflows, and standardize documentation requirements.
What Are the Key Changes?
Unified Digital Immigration Platform
Romania is replacing its fragmented immigration process with a centralized online platform:
WorkinRomania.gov.ro
The platform will:
The online system will be tested until August 7, 2026, and is expected to launch fully on August 8, 2026.
Applications submitted before implementation will continue under the current immigration framework. Family reunification residence permit applications will continue to require in-person procedures.
New Visa Categories
Romania’s reform introduces two visa categories:
D/AM1 Visa
Applicable to:
This category is not subject to quotas or shortage occupation lists.
D/AM2 Visa
Applicable to general labor categories and subject to:
Employers hiring non-highly skilled labor may need to monitor the shortage occupation list before planning recruitment activity.
Introduction of Employer Categories
The reform introduces two employer categories:
Registered Employers
Primarily eligible for D/AM1 visas.
Authorized Employers
Subject to stricter requirements but permitted to directly access D/AM2 routes.
To hire directly for D/AM2 roles without an agency, organizations must:
Under the new system, immigration access will depend on both the individual application and the employer’s status and eligibility requirements.
Changes to Secondment Rules
Romania has redefined the scope of seconded employee status.
Non-EU nationals may only be seconded into Romania by employers established within the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
Third-country nationals can no longer access Romania’s labor market through posting arrangements from non-EU countries. In these cases, intra-company transfer (ICT) routes may need to be considered instead.
Organizations currently relying on postings from non-EU jurisdictions may need to review existing mobility structures and local employment arrangements.
Who Will Be Affected?
The reform will primarily impact:
Organizations with high international hiring volumes may experience additional coordination requirements during the transition phase.
Key Benefits of the New System
The reform aims to:
The reform is expected to simplify and standardize immigration procedures over time.
Compliance Updates Employers Should Monitor
Additional changes introduced under the reform include:
Placement agencies must also meet ownership and financial guarantee requirements linked to Romanian or EU/EEA entities.
Organizations should continue monitoring future updates regarding:
What This Means for Employers
Although the reform is intended to simplify immigration procedures long term, authorities have indicated that complexity may initially increase during implementation.
During the transition period, organizations may experience:
Employers may also experience longer processing coordination during the transition period while procedures and documentation requirements stabilize.
For employers managing international workforce mobility, this may temporarily affect:
Organizations relying heavily on international hiring may require coordination across HR, immigration, mobility, legal, and operational teams during implementation.
Implementation Considerations and Next Steps
Organizations managing international hiring into Romania should consider:
Additional guidance regarding:
is still expected.
Key Takeaway
Romania’s new unified work permit system represents a significant shift toward centralized and digitalized immigration processing.
While the reform is intended to streamline immigration procedures over time, employers may experience increased administrative and operational complexity during the transition period as new systems and procedures are implemented.
For organizations managing workforce mobility into Romania, early preparation, process review, and close monitoring of regulatory developments may help support smoother implementation and workforce planning continuity.
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About Anywr
Anywr is a French international group specializing in global mobility solutions.
Founded in 2012, Anywr operates in 12 countries across 4 continents. Our mission is to support companies in addressing their Human Resources challenges. We respond to your needs in terms of international mobility, particularly in terms of immigration policies, relocation, the implementation of mobility policies and EOR.
Do you have a mobility project for your teams? Contact us!