Romania is preparing one of its most significant immigration overhauls in years. The country is replacing its existing work permit and long-stay visa framework with a new standardised structure — introducing two new visa categories, a two-tier employer classification system, and a fully digital application platform launching in August 2026.
While the reforms are designed to make hiring international workers faster and clearer in the long run, the transition period is likely to create short-term complexity for employers and applicants alike.
Two New Work Visa Categories
Romania D/AM1 Visa — Highly Skilled and Specific Categories
The D/AM1 visa is designed for highly skilled workers and specific nationalities. It is not subject to annual quotas or shortage occupation lists, making it a more flexible route for qualifying applicants. The D/AM1 will also cover:
- Moldovan nationals
- Ukrainian nationals
- Serbian nationals
- Sports professionals
- Educational staff
Romania D/AM2 Visa — Standard Labour Positions
The D/AM2 applies to standard employment roles. Unlike the D/AM1, this category is tied to an annual quota and a shortage occupation list. Romania is expected to publish the official shortage occupation list by 14th June 2026. Employers hiring non-specialised workers will need to wait for this list before proceeding with applications under this route.
Two New Employer Classifications
Romania is also introducing a two-tier employer system that determines which immigration pathway a company can access:
Standard Employers
Primarily permitted to sponsor employees under the D/AM1 pathway. Faces fewer compliance requirements but more limited access to immigration routes.
Approved Employers
Permitted to access the D/AM2 visa route directly. To qualify as an approved employer for D/AM2 purposes, companies must:
- Have been operating for a minimum of 2 years
- Have maintained an average workforce of at least 50 employees over the past year
Previously, all employers were subject to the same immigration process regardless of company size or compliance record. Going forward, access to immigration routes will be substantially shaped by employer status.
New “WorkinRomania” Digital Platform — August 2026
Romania is launching a centralised online platform, WorkinRomania.gov.ro, to handle:
- Work permit applications
- Long-stay visa requests
- Employer registrations
The platform is expected to undergo testing until 7th August 2026, with a formal launch on 8th August 2026. Applications submitted before the new system goes live will continue to be processed under current immigration rules. Family reunification residence permits will continue to require in-person applications regardless of the digital transition.
Transition Period: Expect Short-Term Complications
Despite the long-term benefits of digital processing, the rollout period is likely to introduce friction. Immigration practitioners are anticipating:
- Additional document requests as workflows are finalised
- Evolving document requirements during the transition
- Processing delays as institutions coordinate
- Procedural uncertainty until the system stabilises
Employers and applicants with time-sensitive cases should factor these risks into their planning.
Stricter Rules for Seconded Workers
Romania is also narrowing the definition of “seconded workers.” Under the new framework, only non-EU citizens posted to Romania by employers based in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland will qualify under secondment rules. Workers sent from non-EU countries via traditional posting arrangements will no longer be covered.
Businesses that rely on international postings from non-EU countries may need to restructure their employment arrangements — shifting to:
- Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) pathways
- Direct local employment contracts
- D/AM1 or D/AM2 visa routes
Additional Compliance Requirements for Employers and Recruitment Agencies
The broader reform package introduces several new compliance obligations:
- Mandatory bilingual employment contracts
- Minimum language training conditions
- Stricter employer reporting responsibilities
- Restrictions on worker mobility for approximately 24 months after hire
- Mandatory certification requirements for placement agencies
- Financial guarantee conditions for recruitment companies
- Placement agencies must have Romanian or EU/EEA ownership or authorisation to operate legally
Conclusion
Romania’s immigration overhaul signals a clear shift toward a more structured, digitally managed, and compliance-driven approach to work-related migration. For employers, the new D/AM1 and D/AM2 visa categories offer clearer pathways — but with tighter conditions and a transition period that will require careful management. For international workers planning to relocate to Romania, the coming months represent both new opportunity and new complexity. Watch for the publication of the official shortage occupation list on 14th June 2026 and monitor WorkinRomania.gov.ro for updates ahead of the August launch.