From Intention to Contract: How to Obtain the Work Authorization for Foreign Workers
A practical guide explaining the steps Romanian employers must follow to legally obtain a work authorization for non-EU employees.
From Intention to Contract: How to Obtain the Work Authorization for Foreign Workers
1. Introduction
Employees represent the most valuable resource of any company, being essential for efficient operations and sustainable growth. In today’s context, more and more employers in Romania – whether multinationals or local businesses – are facing a significant labor shortage. Recruiting workers from outside the European Union has therefore become an increasingly common solution.
At first glance, the recruitment process for foreign workers may seem overwhelming due to the paperwork and bureaucratic steps. However, once the correct procedure is understood, it can be managed efficiently. This article explains, in clear language, how to obtain the work authorization (aviz de angajare) for non-EU citizens while avoiding administrative delays and complications.
According to Art. 36 of the Romanian Labor Code, foreign citizens and stateless persons can be employed in Romania under an individual employment contract only if they hold a valid work authorization or a residence permit for work purposes.
Foreign citizens, in this context, are defined as individuals who do not hold the citizenship of an EU Member State, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.
Currently, most foreign workers in Romania come from Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh. Recruitment can be carried out directly by employers or through specialized agencies that handle workforce selection and placement from outside the EU. The process requires clear administrative steps, where the employer plays a central role in initiating the procedure for obtaining the work authorization.
2. What is a Work Authorization?
The work authorization is an official document issued by the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), confirming the employer’s right to hire a foreign citizen in a specific position.
Obtaining the work authorization is the first step in the process of hiring foreign workers and is regulated by Government Emergency Ordinance no. 25/2014, which outlines the conditions, criteria, and procedure for its issuance.
Depending on the type of employment, there are several categories of work authorizations, such as:
- Permanent workers
- Seconded (posted) workers
- Highly skilled workers
- Au pair workers
- Seasonal workers
- Trainees
- Cross-border workers
- Intra-corporate transferees (ICT)
However, the most common type of authorization requested in Romania is for permanent workers, employed under a fixed-term or indefinite contract.
3. Obtaining the Work Authorization
To obtain the work authorization for permanent workers, the employer must submit an application to any territorial office of the General Inspectorate for Immigration, along with the required documents.
Key documents include:
- A firm job offer (employment contract proposal)
- Proof of payment of the processing fee (the equivalent of 100 EUR in RON)
- A certificate issued by the Territorial Employment Agency, confirming the availability of local labor for the vacant position (issued no more than 90 days prior to the application)
The IGI processes the application within 30 calendar days from submission at the competent office. This period may be extended by up to 15 additional days if further documents or clarifications are requested during the review.
3.4. Obtaining the Long-Stay Visa for Employment
Once the work authorization is approved, the employer must provide the foreign worker with the necessary documents (authorization, guarantee letter, employment contract, and personal identification documents).
The worker must then apply for a long-stay employment visa (D/AM) at the Romanian diplomatic mission or consulate in their home country or legal residence country.
3.5. Obtaining the Residence Permit
After entering Romania with the long-stay visa, the next step is to apply for the residence permit for employment purposes.
The application must be submitted to the local IGI office no later than 30 days before the visa expires.
The residence permit allows the foreign worker to carry out employment activities in Romania for up to 2 years, with the possibility of successive extensions for equal periods.
4. Conclusion
Recruiting and hiring non-EU workers has become not only a viable but also a practical and increasingly accessible solution for Romanian employers. With proper planning and compliance with legal steps, the process can be handled smoothly, allowing companies to integrate skilled or unskilled workers from abroad.
For 2025, the Romanian Government has approved a quota of 100,000 newly admitted foreign workers, reflecting the country’s openness to integrating non-EU labor, particularly in critical sectors such as construction, HoReCa, and manufacturing.
Before starting the procedure, it is crucial that employers understand the legal, administrative, and operational implications. Access to accurate information and guidance from specialists in labor immigration law can make the difference between a fast, successful process and one delayed by bureaucratic errors.
The Muncitorești Team is available to provide legal consultancy, procedural support, and step-by-step assistance for obtaining work authorizations, long-stay visas, and residence permits for your foreign employees.
