Work permit vs work visa - similarities and differences

• What is the role of these documents?

Both documents are required in the process of hiring a non-EU foreign citizen by a company in Romania if the individual is not already legally present in the country. In short, the work permit is an authorization given to the employer, confirming that they meet the legal requirements to hire non-EU foreign citizens. Meanwhile, the work visa is a document that allows the foreign citizen to legally enter Romania for the declared purpose of performing paid work for a Romanian employer.

• Who can apply for them?

The work permit is requested by the employer (an individual or a legal entity) who wishes to hire a foreign (non-EU) citizen.

The work visa is requested by the foreign citizen who wishes to enter Romania to work for a Romanian individual or legal entity.

• Where can these documents be requested or who issues them?

The work permit is requested from the Territorial Immigration Service in the county where the employer is based or resides.

The work visa must be requested from the Romanian Embassy or Consulate in the foreign citizen's home country who intends to work in Romania.

• When should these documents be requested?

Once there is an agreement between a Romanian employer and a non-EU foreign worker, both documents must be requested to formalize the employment agreement and legally conclude an employment contract.

The work permit is requested first, as it is mandatory for the issuance of the work visa.

• Is there an online procedure for requesting these documents?

Both documents can be requested online, but the procedure is not fully online as it includes offline components.

For the work permit, an online appointment must be made on the General Inspectorate for Immigration’s portal, but the file must be physically submitted to the competent Territorial Immigration Service. For the work visa, an online appointment can be made through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ portal, but the foreign citizen must attend an in-person interview at the selected Embassy/Consulate.

• What is the validity period of these two documents?

The work permit is valid for 180 days, during which the foreign worker can apply for a work visa. The work visa is valid for 90 days and can be extended once the foreign citizen arrives in Romania by applying for a residence permit.