Under Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026, certain categories of foreign nationals already in Romania can apply to extend their right of residence for employment purposes until December 31, 2026.
This measure applies to individuals who remained in Romania after their previous right of residence, obtained through a long-stay employment visa or a single permit, expired, provided that no obligation to return has been imposed on them.
For foreign workers, this provision may offer an opportunity to regularize their legal status. For employers, it may provide a solution allowing certain individuals already in Romania to continue the employment process legally, provided they meet the requirements established by law.
The procedure does not apply automatically and does not cover every person with irregular immigration status. Each case must be assessed based on previously held documents, the individual's legal status, the existence of an employer, and the steps required by the General Inspectorate for Immigration.
In this article, we explain what Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026, provides, who can apply for an extension, the role of address registration, the applicable deadline, and what employers need to verify before proceeding.
What Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026 Says About Extending the Right of Residence for Employment Purposes
Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026 introduces a temporary opportunity to regularize the status of certain foreign nationals who have remained in Romania after their right of residence for employment purposes expired.
According to announcements from the General Inspectorate for Immigration, the measure applies to foreign nationals who previously held a right of residence based on:
- a long-stay visa for employment;
- a single permit.
To apply for an extension of the right of residence for employment purposesthe individual must not be subject to a return obligation.
This distinction is important. The measure is not a general solution for all forms of illegal residence. It applies to individuals who previously had a legal basis for residing in Romania for employment purposes, but whose right of residence has expired.
The purpose of this provision is to regularize their legal status and allow them to remain in the labor market, provided that the legal requirements are met.
Who Can Apply for an Extension of the Right of Residence for Employment Purposes
Foreign nationals who meet the requirements established under the applicable legal framework can apply for this extension.
This mainly concerns individuals who:
- previously held a right of residence in Romania for employment purposes;
- remained in Romania after that right expired;
- held a right of residence based on a long-stay employment visa or a single permit;
- have not been issued a return order;
- wish to regularize their status in order to continue working legally.
Individuals who entered Romania illegally or who have never held a right of residence for employment purposes should not automatically be considered eligible under this measure.
Each case must be assessed individually with the General Inspectorate for Immigration or with specialists experienced in immigration procedures and documentation for foreign workers.
Declaring Your Residential Address to the General Inspectorate for Immigration
An important step communicated by the General Inspectorate for Immigration is declaring the address where the individual actually resides in Romania.
The General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) has stated that the individuals concerned must visit one of its territorial offices to declare the address where they actually live. This requirement had to be completed within 60 days from April 27, 2026..
This step is important because it allows the authorities to identify the individual, verify their circumstances, and continue assessing their eligibility for regularizing their residence status.
At the time of this article's update, the initial 60-day deadline calculated from April 27, 2026, must be considered carefully. Individuals who did not declare their address within the specified period should check directly with IGI whether they can still proceed with the procedure and under what conditions.
Information about the territorial offices of the General Inspectorate for Immigration can be found here.
Until When Can an Extension of the Right of Residence Be Requested?
The deadline for requesting an extension of the temporary right of residence for employment purposes is December 31, 2026.
This date is important for both foreign workers and employers. The procedure should be started well in advance, as documents need to be verified, the individual's circumstances must be assessed, and any uncertainties must be resolved before submitting the application.
The December 31, 2026 deadline should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every application will be approved. It indicates the period during which eligible individuals can request an extension, provided they meet the requirements established by law.
For employers, the practical recommendation is to verify the status of foreign workers as soon as possible, especially if they have expired employment-related residence documents or unresolved administrative issues.
Is It Necessary to Obtain a New Work Visa?
According to announcements from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), eligible individuals can apply for an extension of their temporary right of residence for employment purposes until December 31, 2026, without being required to obtain a new long-stay employment visa.
This is one of the most important provisions for individuals already residing in Romania.
However, not being required to obtain a new visa does not mean that the procedure is automatic. Applicants must meet the applicable requirements, have their circumstances assessed by the authorities, and submit the documents necessary to extend their right of residence.
In practice, the difference is as follows: individuals do not need to restart the process from scratch by obtaining a new visa from outside Romania, but they must complete the regularization and extension procedure with the competent authorities.
What Is the Employer's Role in This Procedure?
Employers must approach this measure carefully. An individual with an irregular immigration status should not be employed or allowed to continue working without verifying their documents and right to work.
The company must assess the worker's circumstances and ensure that all legal procedures are followed.
The aspects that need to be checked include:
- whether the worker previously held a right of residence for employment purposes
- whether the right of residence was granted based on a long-stay employment visa or a single permit
- whether a return obligation has been imposed
- whether the address where the worker actually resides has been declared to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI)
- whether the procedural deadline still applies to the specific case
- whether the identity and travel documents are valid
- whether an employment relationship exists that can support the application
- whether the documents are consistent and compliant with legal requirements
Employers should not assume that simply having an available worker resolves the situation. To avoid risks, the documents and applicable procedure must be verified before the worker continues working.
Employment Contract and Continuation of Work
When extending the right of residence for employment purposes, having an employment relationship with an employer is essential.
Employers must prepare the employment contract in accordance with legal requirements and the worker's actual circumstances. Documents relating to the position, salary, working hours, contract duration, and employment conditions must all be consistent.
It is important that work is not carried out outside the legal framework. Even if there is an opportunity to regularize the worker's status, the company must ensure that the worker has the necessary right to work and reside in Romania before starting or continuing employment.
Where the documentation is unclear, it is advisable to verify the situation directly with IGI or consult specialists in international recruitment and documentation for foreign workers.
What Documents May Be Required?
The required documents may vary depending on each individual's circumstances and the requirements of the authorities.
In general, the following may be relevant:
- travel document
- previous residence documents
- proof of the previous right of residence for employment purposes
- employer information
- individual employment contract or documents relating to the employment relationship
- proof of the address where the individual actually resides
- documents regarding the applicant's legal status
- proof of payment of applicable fees, if required
- other documents requested by the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), depending on the case
The exact list must be verified for each application. This article should not be interpreted as a complete list of required documents, as the authorities may request different documents depending on the individual's circumstances and the applicable procedure.
What Employers Should Do If They Have Workers in This Situation
Employers who have foreign workers with expired residence permits or unclear immigration status must address each case promptly and systematically.
The first step is to verify the existing documents. The company must check what type of document the worker previously held, when it expired, the purpose of their residence, and whether the individual had a right of residence for employment purposes.
The second step is to verify the individual's legal status. If a return obligation or other administrative issues exist, the procedure may be different.
The third step is to check the address declared to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI). Since declaring the address was communicated as a mandatory step, this information must be reviewed before proceeding.
The fourth step is to prepare the documents required to apply for an extension, provided the individual is eligible.
For companies, this procedure is more than just an administrative matter. It can affect business continuity, the prevention of legal risks, and the retention of workers who are already integrated or undergoing integration.
Mistakes to Avoid
Most problems arise when employers or workers treat the procedure as a mere formality.
Common mistakes to avoid include:
- assuming that the measure applies to all foreign nationals residing illegally in Romania
- overlooking the requirement to have previously held a right of residence for employment purposes
- ignoring the existence of a return obligation
- delaying document verification until shortly before December 31, 2026
- allowing work to continue without verifying the right to work
- failing to keep accurate records of workers' documents
- relying on unverified information from unofficial sources
- assuming that not needing a new visa means automatic approval of the application
- failing to clarify the situation with IGI if the address declaration deadline was missed
A well-managed process begins with document verification and continues with identifying the appropriate procedural route.
How GlobalWorker Can Help
GlobalWorker contact page supports companies working with foreign employees that need guidance on recruitment, verification, documentation, and integration processes.
In more sensitive situations, such as cases involving foreign workers with expired residence permits or unclear immigration status, each step must be carefully assessed.
The GlobalWorker team can support employers through:
- verifying the candidate's administrative status;
- reviewing existing documents;
- explaining the necessary steps for both the employer and the worker;
- assistance with document preparation;
- coordination throughout the recruitment and integration process;
- guidance on the appropriate steps based on applicable legislation.
Each case must be assessed individually. A solution suitable for one worker may not apply to another, depending on the documents they hold, their country of origin, residence history, and legal status.
For companies, support from a specialized team can reduce the risk of errors and make the process easier to manage.
Frequently asked questions
Who Can Apply for an Extension of the Right of Residence for Employment Purposes?
Foreign nationals who remained in Romania after their right of residence granted through a long-stay employment visa or a single permit expired may apply for this extension, provided that no return obligation has been imposed on them.
Each case must be assessed individually.
Does This Measure Apply to All Foreign Nationals Residing Illegally in Romania?
The measure does not automatically apply to everyone residing illegally in Romania.
It applies to individuals who previously held a right of residence for employment purposes in Romania and meet the requirements established by Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026.
Until When Can an Extension of the Right of Residence Be Requested?
The deadline is December 31, 2026.
The application should be prepared in advance, as the authorities must verify the documents, the individual's legal status, and the applicable requirements.
Is a New Work Visa Still Required?
According to announcements from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), eligible individuals can apply for an extension of their temporary right of residence for employment purposes without obtaining a new long-stay employment visa.
This provision does not mean that the procedure is automatic. Documents and eligibility requirements must be verified in each case.
What Role Does Declaring the Address to IGI Play?
Declaring the address where the individual actually resides is an important step in the regularization process.
IGI announced that this declaration had to be completed within 60 days from April 27, 2026. Individuals who missed this deadline must check directly with IGI whether they can still proceed with the procedure and under what conditions.
What Happens If a Return Obligation Has Been Imposed?
If a return obligation has been imposed on the individual, their situation must be assessed separately.
The provision regarding the extension of the right of residence for employment purposes applies to individuals who have not been subject to a return obligation.
Can the Employer Continue Working with the Employee?
The employer must first verify the individual's documents and right to work
Work must not be carried out outside the legal framework. If the situation is unclear, the applicable procedure must be verified before starting or continuing employment.
How Long Does the Regularization Process Take?
The timeframe may vary from case to case.
The process depends on the available documents, the individual's legal status, checks carried out by the authorities, and how quickly the necessary documents are completed.
What Documents Are Required?
The required documents may vary depending on the individual's circumstances
In general, relevant documents may include the travel document, previous residence documents, employer information, employment-related documents, proof of address, and other documents requested by IGI.
The exact list must be verified for each application.
Extension of the Right of Residence for Employment Purposes in 2026
Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026 provides a temporary opportunity for certain foreign nationals already in Romania to regularize their status and apply for an extension of the right of residence for employment purposes until December 31, 2026.
For foreign workers, this measure may provide an opportunity to remain legally in Romania and continue working under the conditions established by law.
For employers, it may offer a solution for retaining workers who are already in Romania, but only if the documents and legal requirements are properly verified.
The procedure is not automatic. The address, documents, legal status, employment relationship, and deadlines must all be carefully assessed.
We have prepared this guide to provide employers and foreign workers with a structured overview of the current steps, deadlines, and aspects that need to be verified before applying for an extension of the right of residence for employment purposes.
At GlobalWorker contact page, we are committed to supporting companies with useful information and practical assistance in the recruitment, documentation, and integration of foreign workers.
If you have foreign workers with an unclear immigration status or are considering an extension of the right of residence for employment purposes, contact the GlobalWorker team for more information.
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