The employment of foreign workers in Romania has become a common practice for many local companies.
In the past few years, Romanian businesses have imported labor force (mainly from Asian countries) to tackle their skill shortages.
This initiative has been greatly supported by the Romanian Government which is actively promoting labor migration into the country.
According to Romania Insider, the Government is currently accepting 100,000 third-country nationals into the local labor market.
However, even with Government endorsement, workforce shortages still affect many economic sectors. As per recent data, Romania has almost 190,000 job openings with no available workers.
If you, too, are looking to employ foreigners as a solution to your staffing shortage, keep reading. This comprehensive guide covers all the steps, rules, and fees for hiring foreign workers in Romania.
5 Steps to Hiring Foreign Workers in Romania
As per Romanian laws, when local companies want to hire foreign employees, they need to follow certain procedures.
For individuals from non-EU countries, the hiring process can be quite complex.
We will next detail the steps you must take to comply with the country’s immigration and employment laws.
Step 1: Check If You Meet the Requirements for Hiring Foreign Workers in Romania
If you want to hire foreign workers in Romania, you must meet specific requirements. These requirements include:
- You have no unpaid obligations to the state
- You fall within the annual quota approved by the Romanian Government
- You carry out activities that align with the role the foreign worker is being recruited for
- You didn’t face penalties for unreported work or illegal employment in the six months before applying for a work permit
Step 2: Conduct a Labor Market Test
According to Romanian legislation, companies must declare their job vacancies to the territorial structures of ANOFM, the National Employment Agency.
You must also advertise the position on the local labor market.
This requirement is in place because local employers must give priority to Romanian citizens when filling their job positions.
Step 3: Find the Right Candidate and Sign an Employment Contract
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Once you’ve found the perfect match, you may sign a temporary work contract (“contract provizoriu de muncă”).
Step 4: Apply for a Work Permit
The next step you must take is to apply for a work permit (“aviz de muncă”) on behalf of your future employee.
You can apply for a work permit at any of the regional offices of the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI). The application can be submitted by any individual who legally represents you as an employer.
The supporting documents you need to submit to IGI are as follows:
- Written request
- Company’s Certificate of Registration (in original)
- Certificate of Attestation issued by the Trade Register Office (“Certificat de atestare fiscală”)
- Tax attestation issued by the Public Finance Administration regarding the payment of the obligations to the state budget for the last quarter
- Company’s organizational chart (“Organigramă”)
- Confirmation of registered company details (“Certificat constatator”)
- Copy of Tax Registration Number (“CUI”)
- Employer’s criminal record
- Job description
- Proof of advertising the ad by mass media in Romania
- Firm hiring offer
- A certificate from the relevant employment agency indicating the job vacancy reported as required by law, no later than 60 days before applying
- A copy of the minutes from the selection process for the job vacancy and evidence that the foreign worker meets the required qualifications and experience, as outlined in the current regulations for that specific job
- Foreigner’s statement confirming they are medically fit to work and that they have limited knowledge of Romanian or proficiency in an international language
- Foreigner’s criminal record translated and legalized
- Foreigner’s translated resume
- 3-4 photographs of the foreigner
- A copy of the foreigner’s passport
The fee you will have to pay to IGI for a work permit application is 500 RON.
The processing time for a work permit application is 30 days, as stated on IGI’s official website. However, under certain circumstances, this period can be extended to 90 days.
Step 5: Your Future Employee Applies for a Long-Stay Visa
After obtaining the work permit, you need to send it to your future employee who must use it to apply for a visa at the competent Romanian Embassy.
The documents they will need to submit with their visa application are as follows:
- Valid passport
- Copy of work permit issued by IGI
- Invitation letter written and signed by the employer
- Copy of job offer and work contract
- Proof of means of support equivalent to the prescribed minimum gross salary for the entire duration specified in the visa
- Health insurance for the duration of the visa’s validity
- Criminal record certificate
The fee for a long-stay visa for Romania is € 120.
In most cases, visa applications for long-term employment, which were previously approved by IGI, are processed within 20 days.
After Entering Romania
The Romanian visa is granted for a period of 90 days. Following this, your employee will need to secure their single permit.
To do so, they must submit the necessary documents to the local branch of the IGI at least 30 days before the visa expiration date. These documents include:
- Application
- Valid passport
- Proof of accommodation
- Salary (as proof of sufficient financial means)
- Work contract
- Medical certificate
- Other taxes
The fee for a single permit is 252 RON.
Hiring Foreign Workers in Romania: Final Considerations
Romanian businesses are actively seeking to fill numerous job vacancies. Among the international workforce, Asian workers have shown substantial interest in entering the Romanian job market.
This enthusiasm is driven by the more attractive salaries and improved working conditions they can expect in contrast to what they typically encounter in their home countries.
As an employer, it’s important to consider the benefit package you provide your foreign worker with. Often, this includes shared accommodation and meal tickets.
In some cases, it may also include free transport to work and a paid flight home after a specific period.
Ensuring your foreign employees enjoy good working conditions and receive tailored benefits will give you confidence in their long-term commitment to your business.
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