The Romanian Government has announced that 5,500 spots will be available for foreign workers in 2017, the same number that was available in 2016. The General Immigration Inspectorate will start issuing work authorizations as this information has been published in the Official Gazette of Romania.

The quota numbers will be allocated as follows:

• 3,000 spots for permanent workers (down from 3,500 available in 2016);
• 100 spots for trainees (down from 200 available in 2016);
• 400 spots for seasonal workers (up from 200 available in 2016);
• 700 spots for seconded workers (the same number available in 2016);
• 700 spots for intracompany transferees (newly introduced);
• 500 spots for highly-skilled workers (down from 800 available in 2016); and
• 100 spots for cross-border workers (the same as in 2016).

If the number of work permit applications exceeds 5,500, the number can be increased by a proposal from the Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Protection.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

Employers seeking to send foreign workers to Romania should contact their immigration professional to start gathering documents for work permit applications for 2017, as the quota numbers have already been announced, and therefore work permits can be issued.

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