Romania · skilled migration · Leads to settlement
EU Blue Card (Romania)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
If you are a highly-qualified non-EU professional with a Romanian job offer above the salary threshold, the EU Blue Card gives you residence plus EU-wide mobility benefits.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - IGI works to published timelines for complete files; confirm current processing on the official page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - permit and residence fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Issued for a fixed validity tied to your contract and renewable - confirm current validity on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
The EU Blue Card is Romania's route for highly-qualified employment by non-EU nationals. You need higher-education qualifications (or recognised equivalent experience for some roles) and a job paying at or above Romania's Blue Card salary threshold. As an EU instrument it brings mobility and family-reunification advantages and counts toward EU long-term residence. Your employer is involved in securing the underlying work approval, and you apply to IGI for the residence side. Romania became a full Schengen member in January 2025.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓You have a qualifying job offer for highly-qualified work with an employer in Romania.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- ✓You hold the relevant higher-education qualification, or recognised equivalent experience where the rules allow it.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- ✓Your salary is at or above Romania's EU Blue Card threshold, which is indexed annually.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- ✓You hold a valid passport and meet the general conditions for residence.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
Common blockers
- !A salary below the Blue Card threshold for the relevant period.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- !Qualifications that cannot be recognised, where experience-based recognition does not apply.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- !Grounds for refusal of residence under Romanian rules.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport and recent photographs.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- ·Highly-qualified employment contract and the underlying work approval.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- ·Diploma or recognised proof of higher qualifications, or evidence of qualifying experience.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- ·Proof of health insurance and accommodation as required.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the role is highly-qualified, your qualifications fit, and the salary meets Romania's Blue Card threshold.
Build the evidence pack
Assemble the contract, qualification proof, passport, and health-insurance and accommodation evidence.
Submit through the official channel
Enter on the long-stay visa and apply to IGI for the Blue Card residence document, paying the fees.
After approval
Collect your Blue Card, renew on time, and track your time toward EU long-term residence.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official EU Blue Card (Romania) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for EU Blue Card (Romania).
General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) · verified
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Related routes
Single Permit for Work and Residence
If you are a non-EU national with a Romanian job offer, the single permit is the main route - one document covering both your work and your residence.
Family Reunification (Romania)
If a close family member already lives lawfully in Romania, this route lets you join them and build toward settlement together.
EU Long-Term Residence (Romania)
If you have lived in Romania continuously for five years, this is your settlement status - a long-term right to stay with EU-wide mobility benefits.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Blue Card different from the single permit?+
The Blue Card is for highly-qualified roles above a salary threshold and brings EU-wide mobility, while the single permit covers most other employment. Confirm which fits your job on the official IGI page.
Can my family join me?+
Yes - EU Blue Card holders have family-reunification advantages. Confirm who qualifies and how on the official IGI page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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