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Romania · work sponsored · Leads to settlement

Single Permit for Work and Residence

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 10 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

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.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyTied to your employment and typically renewable; renew at least 30 days before it expires - confirm current validity on the official page.
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
Tied to your employment and typically renewable; renew at least 30 days before it expires - confirm current validity on the official page.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗

In short

As of 10 July 2026, the Single Permit for Work and Residence for Romania is a sponsor-led Romania immigration route. Sources: official Romania government pages, reviewed 10 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/romania/single-permit#answer

What is the Single Permit for Work and Residence in Romania?

Single Permit for Work and Residence is a sponsor-led Romania route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - permit and residence fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - IGI works to published timelines for complete files; confirm current processing on the official page; typical duration is Tied to your employment and typically renewable; renew at least 30 days before it expires - confirm current validity on the official page. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

Romania's single permit combines work authorisation and residence in one document for non-EU nationals employed in Romania. Your employer normally secures a work permit (aviz de angajare) first, you enter on a long-stay (type D) employment visa, and then you apply to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) for the residence side. You must show means of support at least at the level of the guaranteed minimum salary. It is the standard sponsored-employment route, and lawful time on it counts toward EU long-term residence. Romania became a full Schengen member in January 2025.

Recent changes to this route

  • Romania becomes a full Schengen member1 January 2025

    Romania lifted land-border checks and became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025, following the lifting of air and sea checks in 2024.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm your job offer and that your employer can obtain the work permit (aviz de angajare) for the role.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Gather your passport, employment contract, the work permit, and proof of means and accommodation.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Enter on the type D employment visa, then apply to IGI in person or via the IGI online portal and pay the fees.

  4. After approval

    Collect your residence permit, renew at least 30 days before expiry, and track time toward EU long-term residence.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Single Permit for Work and Residence, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Single Permit for Work and Residence instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Romania

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Romania. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

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.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use official Single Permit for Work and Residence route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Single Permit for Work and Residence.

    General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Does my employer need a work permit before I apply?+

Yes - in most cases your employer first obtains a work permit (aviz de angajare), which underpins your long-stay visa and single permit. Confirm the current process on the official IGI page.

When should I renew?+

You should apply to renew the single permit at least 30 days before it expires. Confirm the current rule on the official IGI page.

Can I get a work and residence permit in Romania without a job offer?+

No - the single permit requires a genuine job offer from a Romanian employer who has first obtained the required work permit (aviz de angajare); having no such employer is a common blocker. Confirm the current process on the official IGI page.

Does time spent on the single permit count toward permanent residence in Romania?+

Yes - the single permit is settlement-capable, and lawful time spent on it counts toward EU long-term residence. Confirm the current rules on the official IGI page.

Is Romania part of the Schengen area now?+

Yes - Romania became a full Schengen member in January 2025. Confirm any travel specifics 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.

Find a regulated advisor in Romania

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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