How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Romania: All Immigration Methods

A Romanian residence permit grants a foreign national the right to legally reside on the territory of this state, and subsequently obtain permanent residence and citizenship. According to the legislation, grounds for issuing a residence permit may include education, family reunification, employment, entrepreneurial activity, as well as other circumstances. To request a temporary residence permit, an applicant must obtain a type D visa, cross the border, and submit a corresponding application to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI). This article provides detailed information about the advantages and disadvantages of each method of obtaining resident status.

What Does a Romanian Residence Permit Provide?

A Romanian residence permit grants a foreign national the right to legally reside on the territory of this state, and subsequently obtain permanent residence and citizenship. According to the legislation, grounds for issuing a residence permit may include education, family reunification, employment, entrepreneurial activity, as well as other circumstances. To request a temporary residence permit, an applicant must obtain a type D visa, cross the border, and submit a corresponding application to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI). This article provides detailed information about the advantages and disadvantages of each method of obtaining resident status.

A residence permit holder in Romania has access to the following rights:

• Prospective obtaining of permanent residence and Romanian citizenship;
• Residence on the territory of the country with status renewal, residence permits in this case are issued based on the corresponding authorization;
• Entry into the state without a visa unlimited number of times;
• Invitation for joint residence of spouse and minor children, as well as parents requiring care;
• Official employment, business development and education on the territory of the state;
• Visa-free travel to European Union countries.

Methods of Moving to Romania Through Residence Permit

Local legislation provides for the following grounds for requesting a residence permit:

• Employment;
• Business establishment;
• Individual entrepreneurship;
• Education;
• Family reunification;
• Long-term medical treatment;
• Scientific, religious and other types of activities that do not contradict the law.

Regardless of the grounds for issuing temporary resident status, the immigration procedure is the same. Initially, a foreign national applies for a type D visa at a Romanian embassy or consulate, which is issued upon confirmation of the right to obtain a residence permit (employment contract, university admission order, or other). The entry permit is valid for 90 days, with processing time up to two months. No earlier than 30 days before the visa expires, the immigrant must request a residence permit. Typically, temporary residence is issued for a term of up to one year with the right of renewal.

The simplest and fastest immigration option is reunification with a Romanian citizen or resident: the foreign national is not required to have income and housing, and to relocate it is sufficient to confirm kinship. Popular methods of obtaining resident status are work and study. The immigration process for employees is quite lengthy due to waiting for authorities’ decision.

A student residence permit is not grounds for obtaining permanent resident status, but upon completion of studies may be extended for job searching and changing immigration status. Opening one’s own company allows a foreign national to conduct business in a European state with favorable taxation, but requires significant capital investment.

Employment

A foreign national may relocate for the purpose of employment if they find a vacancy from a local employer and successfully pass an interview. The entry document and residence permit in this case are issued based on the corresponding authorization processed by the employer in the territorial subdivision of IGI.

For an applicant to be able to obtain the right to employment, they must meet the following conditions:

• The foreign national is not a citizen of the EU and EEA;
• No candidates were found for the position among permanent residents of the state, citizens of one of the European Union or EEA countries;
• The candidate has the necessary education and skill level required by the employer;
• The applicant’s health condition allows them to occupy the position in question;
• The foreign national has no criminal convictions incompatible with the work they intend to perform;
• The candidate falls within the annual quota established by the government;
• The employer has no debts to the state;
• The employer has not engaged in illegal hiring of foreign nationals during the last 6 months.

The first point does not apply to seasonal and cross-border workers, professional athletes, and managers of companies established by foreign nationals.

Immigration is available under one of the following categories:

• Seasonal worker — maintains permanent residence in another country and comes to Romania for temporary work;
• Permanent employee — works under a long-term fixed-term or indefinite contract;
• Trainee — has a university diploma, participates in an internship program aimed at improving professional training or raising qualification level;
• Highly qualified employee — performs work requiring a high level of qualification;
• Posted worker — is employed by a company registered in a third country and is on temporary assignment;
• Cross-border worker — is a citizen of a state having a common border with Romania and resides in the border zone of one of the two countries;
• ICT — is transferred within one company;
• Household assistant — temporarily hired by a Romanian family to study the language in exchange for household help and childcare.

Conditions for obtaining residence permit in Romania through employment:

• Providing a contract with a salary no lower than the country’s minimum wage (515 EUR/month), and for highly qualified personnel — at least twice the average salary (1,295 EUR/month);
• Confirmation of maintaining salary at the same level as during the foreign national’s stay on a visa;
• Having purchased or rented real estate for residence in the state;
• Absence of diseases that may threaten the health of the country’s population;
• Having financial means of at least the minimum wage — for posted workers and ICT workers.

The disadvantage of this immigration method is the lengthy wait for work permit issuance and employers’ reluctance to officially register foreign workers. There is an assumption that most employers do not want to bear additional expenses related to tax payments, therefore they employ foreign nationals illegally. Working unofficially threatens fines and deportation with a ban on visiting EU states. The main advantage of this immigration option is the extensive list of vacancies, especially in IT, production, and gas supply sectors.

Business Operations

To obtain a residence permit for the purpose of commercial activity, a foreign national must act as a shareholder, board member, or administrative council member of a company and have approval from the Ministry of Business, Trade and Entrepreneurship (MMACA).

Conditions for immigration through business creation and obtaining first residence permit:

• Providing authorities with a business plan detailing company activities — from sphere of employment to number of employees;
• Having approval from the Romanian Foreign Investment Agency;
• Owning premises for legal address and own or rented housing;
• Having own funds for living of 500 EUR for associated persons or 700 EUR — for shareholders.

For subsequent renewal of stay, the entrepreneur must:

• Meet the same conditions as for first-time status acquisition;
• Obtain technical conclusion from MMACA that company activities were conducted according to the previously submitted business plan;
• Invest in business development from 70,000 EUR and create at least 15 jobs.

If a foreign national invests in their company from 500,000 EUR or creates 50 jobs, their right to stay is extended for 3 years instead of one. If investments amount to 200,000 EUR or the number of hired workers exceeds 50 people, confirmation of funds for living is not required. The advantage of establishing business on Romanian territory is favorable taxation (profit tax is 16%), the disadvantage is the need for large investments.

Professional Activity

Foreign nationals who plan to engage in individual activities permitted in the country may obtain a residence permit. The immigrant must confirm that in their home state they already practiced similar employment and want to continue it in Romania. Activity verification is conducted by the General Immigration Inspectorate, visa application review takes 30-45 days.

To apply for temporary residency, the immigrant should confirm absence of dangerous diseases, having housing in the state, and means of subsistence of at least the average monthly salary. Confirmation is also required that the activity is carried out in accordance with the country’s legislation. This relocation method does not require significant capital investment and business plan provision, unlike opening a business.

Education

Students of local educational institutions studying for bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees may obtain residence permits. The university may be public or private. The basis for obtaining a student visa and residence permit is confirmation of admission issued by the Ministry of Education.

The student is also required to provide a receipt for payment of at least one year of study and confirmation of funds for living of at least the minimum income in Romania for the visa validity period. If the foreign national is a minor, consent from parents or guardians for their stay in a foreign state is required.

Besides students, participants in exchange programs aged 13-19 and trainees undergoing professional training have the right to obtain a visa and temporary resident status. In the first case, confirmation of participation must be provided, in the second — a higher education diploma obtained within the last 2 years and a letter from the receiving organization.

Advantages of student residence permit:

• Possibility to work under employment contract up to 4 hours per day;
• Can be extended after study completion for six months, for example, for master’s program admission after bachelor’s, or for 9 months for employment.

The disadvantage of student residence permit is that it cannot be used to subsequently obtain permanent residence status.

Family Reunification

Persons legally residing in Romania, including those with a maximum permitted term of 1 year, have the right to invite family members and close relatives to the country for residence. Residents may petition for entry and residence permits for:

• Spouse;
• Minor unmarried children;
• Children of one of the spouses who are supported by the family;
• Parents, including spouse’s parents, if they cannot support themselves independently;
• Adult unmarried children if they require care due to health condition.

Foreign nationals with Romanian residence permits for research activities, EU Blue Card holders, and ICT workers may invite relatives even if their residence permit is valid for less than a year.

A Romanian passport holder may invite and sponsor:

• Legal spouse;
• Civil partner if there is at least one common child;
• Children, including adopted ones, who have not reached 21 years, are studying at university and are younger than 26, or those who need care;
• Parents, including spouse’s parents.

Parents of a minor citizen of the country may also immigrate under the family reunification program if the child is supported by them or alimony is regularly paid.

Application submission to IGI is carried out by the person residing in Romania. The application is approved when the following conditions are met:

• No polygamy;
• The applicant has living space suitable for residence of the declared number of people;
• The sponsor has means to support each relative;
• The invited person has a valid passport, does not pose a danger to population security and health, and is not on the list of foreign nationals prohibited from entering the country.

Application review takes up to 90 days. The decision is issued in written form, based on which invited relatives can obtain a long-term visa. After crossing the border, it is necessary to apply for a residence permit in the same order as in other cases — by submitting a request to IGI no earlier than 30 days before visa expiration. The duration of residence permit is individual and corresponds to the document held by the inviting person. Spouses of Romanian citizens and permanent residence holders receive a five-year residence permit.

Religious Activity

To obtain a long-term visa and subsequent residence permit request based on religious activity, the foreign national or organization through which it will be carried out must obtain a positive decision from the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs. The immigrant must also confirm that they will represent a religious organization registered on Romanian territory. When requesting a residence permit, it is not necessary to confirm financial means for existence.

Scientific Activity

Foreign citizens who plan to engage in research activities on Romanian territory may obtain a residence permit after approval from the National Authority for Scientific Research. To obtain a visa, it is required to confirm absence of criminal record and have medical insurance. Residence permit is issued after proving the immigrant has housing in the state, income, and agreement with a research subdivision that meets legislative requirements.

Long-term Treatment

The foreign national must provide relevant documents from a medical institution indicating diagnosis and treatment duration. An accompanying person is allowed to stay with the applicant if the patient is unable to take care of themselves independently. It is also necessary to have living space and income for the residence permit validity period.

Other Grounds

A residence permit can be obtained through volunteering, for unpaid professional development, or for other purposes that do not contradict legislation. In any case, documentary confirmation of the grounds is required for legal stay in the country.

Documents for Romanian Residence Permit Application

Basic list of documents for residence permit application:

• Completed application form;
• Passport with national visa;
• Purchase or rental agreement for housing on Romanian territory;
• Registration certificate in social insurance system;
• Medical certificate confirming absence of dangerous diseases threatening residents’ health;
• Receipt for fee payment of 53 EUR.

Additional Documents

Depending on the immigration option, the file is supplemented with corresponding documents.

For workers:

• Contract with employer;
• Confirmation from employee registry containing employment contract data;
• Income certificate.

For students:

• Certificate from educational institution confirming enrollment in full-time education;
• University admission letter;
• Statement of funds for subsistence.

For exchange students:

• Documents evidencing program participation;
• Certificate from educational institution;
• Certificate from exchange organization;
• Confirmation of organization’s compliance with local legislation requirements.

For entrepreneurial activity:

• Company details;
• Conclusion from Ministry of Business, Trade and Entrepreneurship;
• Accounting reports;
• Certificate from territorial labor inspectorate confirming number of workers;
• Property rights documents for office premises;
• Certificate of having 500 EUR for associated persons or 700 EUR for shareholders;
• Proof of having place of residence in Romania.

For individual employment:

• Documents evidencing legality of conducted activity;
• Certificate of financial means availability.

For moving to relatives:

• Identity document of inviting person;
• Kinship documents (marriage certificate, child’s birth certificate, or other) with translation and apostille;
• Statement that foreign national is not married to anyone else (when spouses relocate);
• Written statement from resident or citizen that family member, relative, or spouse will live together with them (if relevant);
• Statement from Romanian citizen that partners live together and have a common child (for unmarried union).

For religious figures:

• Approval from State Secretariat for Religious Affairs.

For scientists:

• Decision from National Authority for Scientific Research;
• Agreement concluded between applicant and scientific subdivision;
• Documents on financial means availability.

For treatment:

• Letter from private or public medical institution indicating diagnosis and therapy duration;
• Bank statement on savings availability — no lower than average salary level in the state for requested period;
• Document on place of residence availability for treatment period.

How Much Does a Residence Permit in Romania Cost?

The cost of obtaining temporary residency in this country varies and depends on several factors:

• Type of requested residence permit;
• Applicant’s nationality;
• Processing method.

The last point concerns whether the applicant handles document preparation and submission independently or with lawyer support. Immigration company services are paid separately.

What is Required for Immigration to Romania?

Moving to the country is impossible without grounds and documents confirming them. This is a requirement established by immigration legislation. Based on supporting documents, a long-term national visa is processed, which gives the right to apply for temporary residency.

Is it Possible to Move to Romania Without a Residence Permit?

Repatriates have the right to obtain a passport, skipping the residence permit and permanent residence stages. Relocation without requesting a residence permit under simplified procedure is carried out in accordance with Articles 10 and 11 of the Citizenship Law. Applicants whose ancestors up to the fourth generation inclusive lived or were born on Romanian territory between 1918 and 1940 may become citizens through repatriation.

How Long Must One Live in Romania to Obtain Citizenship?

According to local legislation, a foreign national must live in the country for at least 8 years on legal grounds before obtaining the right to apply for a passport. For spouses of citizens of this state, the required term is reduced to 5 years from the date of marriage. The residence period is halved for refugees, European Union citizens, international figures, and persons investing in the country’s economy from 1 million EUR.