Employment Work Visa and Single Permit in Romania in 2026

Romania changed its foreign-worker procedure in 2026. The current official system distinguishes D/AM1 and D/AM2 long-stay work visas and uses an electronic single application before the worker applies at a Romanian mission.

D/AM1 and D/AM2

D/AM1 is used mainly for highly qualified workers employed for at least 6 months and for several specified categories such as certain public-interest, higher-education, artistic and professional-sport cases.

D/AM2 covers permanent, seasonal and cross-border workers who do not meet the D/AM1 criteria. Under the current Work in Romania framework, the occupation must fall within the applicable shortage-occupation rules. Recruitment is generally handled through an authorized placement agency, although the official platform describes an authorized-employer direct-hiring exception.

The foreign worker does not submit the employer-side single application alone. It is submitted through the official WorkinRomania platform by the authorized employer or placement actor applicable to the category.

Visa and residence

After the single application is approved, the worker applies for the relevant D/AM visa. The official 2026 guidance describes the initial work visa as normally valid for 90 days.

After entry, a third-country national staying for more than 90 days applies for the residence document. Under current IGI rules, ordinary temporary work residence is extended for the employment-contract period but for no more than 2 years at a time.

Do not use pre-2026 guides that describe only the old work-permit sequence without the D/AM1/D/AM2 and single-application changes.

Official starting points: Work in Romania — 2026 visas and residence, IGI — Single permit / EU Blue Card, Romanian legislation — OUG 32/2026.

Related: Romania immigration hub, methodology, and the legal disclaimer.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Romania