Romania pauses work permit appointments until October 2025
In April 2025, Romania’s Immigration Department suspended all online appointments for work permits until October due to detected fraudulent activity.
The system was taken offline to protect the integrity of the application process. Although details of the fraud haven’t been disclosed, the decision follows Romania’s recent tightening of immigration rules.
This decision affects all non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who must obtain a work permit before applying for long-stay work visas, from seasonal staff to highly skilled professionals. Employers in high-demand sectors like IT, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and construction may face hiring delays.
Practical advices:
- Check for exemptions: Some foreign nationals, such as spouses of Romanian citizens, may be eligible to bypass delays.
- Hire EU/EEA workers: Nationals from these are not affected by this delay.
- Consider hiring local talent: Romanian nationals are available to begin work immediately, without the need for additional permit processing.
- Get documents ready: Prepare contracts, diplomas, and medical certificates in advance and be ready for the filing as soon as appointments become available.
Romania remains a key destination for skilled talent, and though this suspension presents a temporary challenge, it also highlights the need for secure and efficient immigration systems. Early planning and adaptability of the employers are key during this phase.