How to Move to Romania
Romania actively recruits non-EU workers to fill labour shortages, issuing around 90,000 work permits a year under its national quota. Your employer starts the process by requesting an employment permit from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI); once approved, you apply for a long-stay (D) visa at a Romanian consulate, then register in Romania. A digital platform (WorkinRomania.gov.ro) was expected to modernise this process from August 2026.
How to use this guide
Pick the visa type below that matches your plan (work, study, etc.).
Tap it to open and read the simple steps and the papers you need.
Apply yourself on the official website. It's free — no agent needed.
Stay safe: never pay anyone who promises a "guaranteed" visa. Real applications are made on official government sites. Rules can change, so always double-check on the official website before you apply.
Romania embassies in Africa — addresses & directions
Romania has embassies in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa — a rare full spread across Africa's major hubs for a smaller EU country.
Tap “Open in Google Maps” to see the exact location, get directions, and confirm the current address & opening hours.
76 Nelson Mandela Street, Plot 498, Asokoro, Abuja
+234 908 723 4024 Open in Google MapsEagle Park Estate, Pan-African Insurance Avenue, Block 7785/1284, Runda, Nairobi
Open in Google Maps877 Justice Mahomed Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria 0181
+27 12 460 6941 Open in Google MapsDon’t see your country? Romania has more missions across Africa — find the nearest one on the official locator.
Work permit: 30 days (extendable by 15) + D-visa: several weeks.
Work permit fee ~€100 (standard) or ~€25 (seasonal) + long-stay visa ~€120.
Tied to the employment contract, typically 1 year, renewable.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- A job offer from a Romanian employer that has operated for at least 1 year.
- The role cannot be filled by a Romanian or EU/EEA citizen.
- You meet the training/experience requirements for the role and pass a medical exam.
- Within Romania's annual quota (90,000 for 2026).
What to do, step by step
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1
Get a job offer
Secure an offer from a Romanian employer who is prepared to sponsor your work permit.
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2
Employer applies to IGI
Your employer submits the work permit request to their local General Inspectorate for Immigration office.
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3
Receive the employment notice
IGI issues the employment/secondment notice within 30 days (up to 45 with extension).
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4
Apply for your D-visa
Within 60 days of the permit, apply for the long-stay employment visa at a Romanian consulate.
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5
Travel & register
Enter Romania and register with IGI for your residence permit.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Romania's quota is large but finite — apply as early in the year as possible.
- Construction, manufacturing and hospitality have the highest demand for non-EU workers.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your IGI online document upload (Portal IGI) first
Your Romanian employer applies for your work permit at the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) first. Once approved, you can upload supporting documents in advance through Portal IGI to speed up your in-person appointment. A major digital overhaul (WorkinRomania.gov.ro) was scheduled to launch in August 2026 — check IGI's site for the latest process.
Create accountStart your Work permit (long-term employment) application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationSeveral weeks at the consulate.
Long-stay visa ~€120 + residence permit ~259 RON (~€60) after arrival.
Course length, renewable.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Acceptance letter from a recognised Romanian institution.
- Proof of funds and accommodation.
- Health insurance.
What to do, step by step
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1
Get admitted
Apply directly to a Romanian university and receive your acceptance letter.
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2
Apply for your D-visa
Book an appointment at your nearest Romanian embassy and submit your student visa application.
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3
Travel & register
Enter Romania and register your residence permit with IGI.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Romania has some of the lowest tuition fees in the EU, especially for medicine and engineering — popular with African students.
- Many Romanian universities offer English-taught programmes.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your IGI online document upload (Portal IGI) first
Your Romanian employer applies for your work permit at the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) first. Once approved, you can upload supporting documents in advance through Portal IGI to speed up your in-person appointment. A major digital overhaul (WorkinRomania.gov.ro) was scheduled to launch in August 2026 — check IGI's site for the latest process.
Create accountStart your Student visa application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationDecision within 3 months of submission.
Long-stay family visa (D/VF) ~€120 + residence permit ~259 RON (~€60).
Tied to the sponsor's status; renewable.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Sponsor holds a qualifying Romanian residence permit.
- Sponsor has suitable housing and income to support the family.
- Marriage predates the sponsor's stay right (for spouses).
What to do, step by step
-
1
Confirm sponsor eligibility
Your sponsor needs a qualifying residence permit and sufficient housing/income.
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2
Get IGI endorsement
Your sponsor obtains an endorsement letter from the Romanian Immigration Office.
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3
Apply at the Romanian consulate
Submit your family reunification visa application with the endorsement letter.
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4
Travel & register
Enter Romania and register your residence permit.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Get the IGI endorsement letter before booking your visa appointment — it's a required document.
- Sponsor's housing must meet Romanian space-per-person standards — factor this into planning.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your IGI online document upload (Portal IGI) first
Your Romanian employer applies for your work permit at the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) first. Once approved, you can upload supporting documents in advance through Portal IGI to speed up your in-person appointment. A major digital overhaul (WorkinRomania.gov.ro) was scheduled to launch in August 2026 — check IGI's site for the latest process.
Create accountStart your Family reunification application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationMost Romania work visas need a job offer first
Browse visa-sponsored and remote jobs open to Africans, then build a CV tailored to Romania — both completely free.
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Questions about Romania visas
How much does the Romania Work permit (long-term employment) cost?
The Romania Work permit (long-term employment) costs: Work permit fee ~€100 (standard) or ~€25 (seasonal) + long-stay visa ~€120. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Romania Work permit (long-term employment) take?
Processing for the Romania Work permit (long-term employment) takes work permit: 30 days (extendable by 15) + D-visa: several weeks. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Romania Work permit (long-term employment) valid for?
The Romania Work permit (long-term employment) is valid for tied to the employment contract, typically 1 year, renewable. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Romania Student visa cost?
The Romania Student visa costs: Long-stay visa ~€120 + residence permit ~259 RON (~€60) after arrival. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Romania Student visa take?
Processing for the Romania Student visa takes several weeks at the consulate. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Romania Student visa valid for?
The Romania Student visa is valid for course length, renewable. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Romania Family reunification cost?
The Romania Family reunification costs: Long-stay family visa (D/VF) ~€120 + residence permit ~259 RON (~€60). These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Romania Family reunification take?
Processing for the Romania Family reunification takes decision within 3 months of submission. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Romania Family reunification valid for?
The Romania Family reunification is valid for tied to the sponsor's status; renewable. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
Fees and processing times last checked against official government sources on 1 June 2026. Always confirm on the official portal before paying anything.