Romania Makes Work Visa Filings Online-Only via New Employer Portal

As of August 8, 2026, Romania requires employers to submit new work authorization and long-stay employment visa cases entirely online through a new government portal, WorkinRomania.gov.ro. Paper filings and in-person submissions at the Immigration Inspectorate are no longer an option for new applications.

What changed

Under Government Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026, two visa tracks now run through the digital system. D/AM1 covers highly qualified workers and certain specialist categories, while D/AM2 applies to permanent, seasonal and cross-border workers in shortage occupations such as construction, agriculture, logistics and hospitality.

The new portal combines what used to be separate steps into a single electronic file. That file bundles the worker's job offer, personal documents and the work authorization request together. Romanian employment authorities review the case online and, if approved, issue a digitally signed authorization that is then used to process the employment visa.

Before filing for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss workers, Romanian employers and licensed placement agencies must register on the portal. The system also lets authorities run compliance checks on the employer, including business activity, tax standing, labor-law record and sector licenses. The ordinance took effect April 27, with a testing and registration window running through August 7 before the full filing mandate began.

What it means for nomads

Most location-independent remote workers won't be directly affected. Romania's separate digital nomad route remains distinct and is not covered by this change, and the same goes for tourists and EU citizens. If you are in Romania on the digital nomad visa or a tourist stay, nothing here requires action from you.

The change matters mainly if you plan to move from remote work into a local Romanian job. In that case, you'll need a sponsoring employer, and that employer will have to register and file your case through WorkinRomania.gov.ro rather than pursue a standalone work permit. It's worth confirming your prospective employer is set up on the portal, since the process now depends entirely on their digital registration and compliance standing.

Existing permits issued before August 8 remain valid under their original terms. Current holders do not need to refile simply because the system has changed.

The bigger picture

Romania's shift mirrors a broader European trend toward centralized, online immigration processing with tighter employer vetting built in. For remote workers weighing a longer-term base in Romania, the practical takeaway is to keep the digital nomad and residency routes clearly separated from local employment routes, and to factor in that any switch to a Romanian employer now hinges on that company navigating the new portal correctly.

Originally reported by Stamped Nomad.