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Romania | Schengen Visa |

Romania Has Issued Over 77,000 Work Permits This Year

by DD Staff

November 01, 2024

Romania

key takeaways

Over 70,000 work permits were granted to migrant workers, who are expected to reduce Romania’s labour shortages.

Romania received some of the highest rates of foreign workers ever, issuing 77,426 work licenses for non-EU nationals between January and September.

The General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) reports that 76,713 permits, or 99 percent, of the total permits issued during this time were given to permanent workers, setting a new record.

The remainder were given out for various jobs, such as skilled worker (310), seasonal worker (214), poster worker (151), and employee transfer within the same organisation (37).

Romania Turns to Foreign Countries to Help With Immigrant Workers

As the labour shortage in Romania is increasing, the authorities have turned to non-EU countries to import labour from, with Vietnam being one of these countries.

According to Evenimentul Zilei, Argeș County wants to bring many workers from Vietnam who could help fill in market gaps. There are over 4,000 Vietnamese students and post-graduates in Romania, which proves that the integration of Vietnamese into the Romanian workforce could be more natural compared to other nationalities.

However, Romania has another issue when it comes to immigrant workers. Romanian authorities have reported that non-EU citizens arriving on work visas are attempting to cross the border into the Schengen zone.

According to Filimon Pitea, Head of the Accommodation Centre for Foreigners Taken in Public Custody in Arad, most of these migrants come from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Consequently, their right of residence was revoked, and decisions to return them under escort were issued on behalf of the foreigners. Also, pending the completion of the formalities of removal from Romania, they were placed in the public custody centre.
--Filimon Pitea, Head of the Arad Center

Up to 300,000 Workers Needed in 2025 for Romania to Maintain Its Economy

The local market in Romania is estimated to be in need of 200,000 to 250,000 foreign workers in 2025, many of whom are needed in construction and hospitality areas.

Melania Pop, Business Development Manager at International Work Finder (IWF), commented that up to 300,000 workers could help Romania’s economy to maintain its levels.

The process of bringing foreign workers to Romania in 2024 has become more complex compared to last year due to stricter regulations and bureaucracy. In addition, the language, skills and experience requirements are more rigorous, and the authorities are more attentive to selecting foreign workers to ensure an efficient integration into Romanian society.
--Melania Pop, Business Development Manager International Work Finder (IWF)

Some of the sectors that are facing labour shortages in Romania include postal and courier services, staff contracting, restaurants, road freight transport, and protection and guard services.