If you are planning to live or work in Romania, one of the first institutions you will deal with is the Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări (I.G.I.) — the General Inspectorate for Immigration. Any expat who needs an IGI Romania residence permit or work authorization must go through this authority.
Whether you are an EU citizen registering your stay or a non-EU national applying for a residence permit or work authorization, the process can feel bureaucratic, unclear, and sometimes intimidating.
This guide explains:
- What I.G.I. actually does
- The difference between registration, residence permits, and work permits
- What documents are typically required
- How appointments work
- Common mistakes that delay applications
- What to expect during your visit
Romanian immigration procedures are rule-based but not always intuitive. Understanding the legal logic behind the documents — and the practical reality of how offices operate — can save you weeks of delays and unnecessary stress.
In this article, you’ll find a structured, experience-based explanation of how to obtain your IGI Romania residence permit, register your stay correctly, and avoid the most common mistakes that delay immigration applications.nce or work documents from I.G.I., whether you are an EU citizen, a non-EU national, an employee, a freelancer, or a company owner.
What I.G.I. actually does (and why expats deal with it)
I.G.I. (Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări) is the Romanian state authority (under the Ministry of Internal Affairs) that administers immigration and legal stay for foreigners in Romania — and, for non-EU citizens, it also manages the employment authorization track (work permits / “aviz de angajare” and related statuses). (igi.mai.gov.ro)
In practical expat terms, I.G.I. is the institution that issues (or handles) most of the documents that prove you are allowed to stay and/or work legally in Romania.
1) Legal stay documents (residence side)
Depending on your nationality and situation, I.G.I. is the office that you’ll approach for things like:
- Residence permits for non-EU citizens (“permis de ședere”) and renewals/extensions (igi.mai.gov.ro)
- Long-term residence procedures (when applicable) (igi.mai.gov.ro)
- Handling applications via PortalIGI for certain processes (online submission exists, but rules still apply) (portaligi.mai.gov.ro)
For EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: the “residence” document is usually registration/registration certificate rather than a “permit” in the non-EU sense, and it’s still handled through the territorial immigration structures. (studyinromania.gov.ro)
2) Work authorization (employment side) — mainly for non-EU citizens
For non-EU employment, the employer typically initiates the work authorization process (work permit / employment permit), and I.G.I. is the authority involved in that workflow. (igi.mai.gov.ro)
I.G.I. also publishes guidance for categories such as employment/posting, “single permit / EU Blue Card” routes, and related timelines/logic. (igi.mai.gov.ro)
3) Territorial offices: the place you actually interact with
Even when policies are national, most expats experience I.G.I. through the local (territorial) immigration unit — for example, Bucharest has its own structure and program with public-facing counters for specific problem areas (including work-related residence). (igi.mai.gov.ro)
“From here, the process splits into two big tracks: EU citizens registering their stay, and non-EU citizens applying for permits (often tied to work, studies, family, or business).”
Key Documents I.G.I. Issues
The Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări (I.G.I.) does not issue the same type of document to everyone.
The system is structured around a fundamental legal distinction:
- EU / EEA / Swiss citizens → right of free movement (registration system)
- Non-EU citizens → visa + permit system (authorization system)
Understanding which category you fall into determines everything that follows.
EU / EEA / Swiss Citizens
If you are an EU citizen (for example Italian, German, French, etc.), you do not need a work permit to work in Romania. You already have the right to work.
However, if you stay more than 90 days, you must register your residence.
Here are the key documents:
1. Registration Certificate (Certificat de Înregistrare)
This is the most common document EU citizens receive.
What it is:
A document confirming your legal residence in Romania for more than 90 days.
Who needs it:
- Employees
- Self-employed persons
- Company owners
- Students
- Economically self-sufficient individuals
Validity:
Usually 5 years.
It is not a “residence permit” in the non-EU sense. It is a confirmation of an already existing EU right.
2. Residence Card for Family Members of EU Citizens
If you are a non-EU family member of an EU citizen living in Romania, you receive a residence card.
Example:
An Italian citizen living in Bucharest with a non-EU spouse.
This card confirms derivative residence rights based on EU law.
3. Permanent Residence Right (after 5 years)
After 5 years of continuous legal residence, EU citizens may obtain a document confirming permanent residence.
This provides stronger legal stability and fewer documentary requirements for renewals.
Non-EU Citizens
For non-EU nationals, the system is completely different.
Residence in Romania is based on a combination of:
- Visa (if required)
- Work authorization (if working)
- Residence permit
Here are the key documents:
1. Work Authorization (Aviz de Angajare)
This is issued before the residence permit.
Important:
The employer usually applies for this document.
Without it, a non-EU citizen cannot legally work in Romania (with limited exceptions like EU Blue Card scenarios).
2. Long-Stay Visa (Visa D)
If you are outside Romania, you generally need a long-stay visa issued by a Romanian consulate before entering for work, studies, or family reunification.
This visa allows entry for the purpose of applying for residence.
3. Temporary Residence Permit (Permis de Ședere Temporară)
This is the core document non-EU nationals hold.
It confirms:
- Legal stay
- Purpose of stay (work, studies, family reunification, business, etc.)
- Duration of stay
It must be renewed periodically (usually yearly, sometimes longer depending on category).
4. EU Blue Card
For highly qualified employment.
This is a specific residence permit category with:
- Salary threshold requirements
- Higher qualification requirements
- Certain mobility rights within the EU
5. Long-Term Residence Permit
After several years of legal stay (typically 5 years), non-EU citizens may apply for long-term residence.
This status offers:
- Greater stability
- Longer validity
- Fewer renewal obligations
The Core Difference (Simplified)
| EU Citizen | Non-EU Citizen |
|---|---|
| Registers residence | Applies for authorization |
| No work permit required | Work permit required (usually) |
| 5-year registration certificate | Annual or multi-year residence permits |
| Based on EU freedom of movement | Based on Romanian immigration law |
Step-by-Step: How the Process Works in Practice
This is how procedures at the Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări (I.G.I.) typically unfold in real life.
The legal framework is structured — but the operational sequence differs depending on whether you are an EU citizen or a non-EU citizen.
Below is the practical workflow, stripped of legal jargon.
EU Citizens – Residence Registration Process
If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen staying more than 90 days, you must register your residence.
Step 1 – Identify Your Legal Basis
You must prove one of the following:
- Employment contract in Romania
- Self-employment / company ownership
- Studies
- Sufficient financial resources + health insurance
This determines which documents you prepare.
Step 2 – Gather Required Documents
Typically:
- Passport or national ID
- Proof of address (rental contract, ownership contract)
- Proof of activity (work contract, company documents, university letter, etc.)
- Health insurance (if not employed)
The key is internal consistency:
Your address, employment documents, and declared purpose must align.
Step 3 – Book an Appointment (if required locally)
In many cities, appointments are booked online via the IGI portal. In smaller cities, procedures may be more flexible.
Do not underestimate appointment lead times in large cities like Bucharest.
Step 4 – Attend the Appointment
At the territorial immigration office:
- Documents are checked
- Copies may be retained
- You may receive clarification questions
- Biometrics are sometimes collected
For EU citizens, the process is usually administrative rather than investigative.
Step 5 – Receive the Registration Certificate
If documents are complete, the Registration Certificate is issued — often the same day or shortly after.
This document is generally valid for 5 years.
Non-EU Citizens – Work & Residence Process
For non-EU nationals, the procedure is sequential and more controlled.
There are two typical tracks:
- Applying from abroad
- Changing status or extending while already in Romania
Below is the most common employment-based scenario.
A. If You Are Outside Romania
Step 1 – Employer Obtains Work Authorization
Your Romanian employer applies for:
Aviz de angajare (work authorization)
Without this document, the rest of the process cannot start.
Processing time depends on category and documentation completeness.
Step 2 – Apply for Long-Stay Visa (Visa D)
Once work authorization is issued:
- You apply at a Romanian consulate
- Submit work authorization + employment contract
- Wait for visa approval
The visa allows entry into Romania for the declared purpose.
Step 3 – Enter Romania
After entry, the visa does not equal residence.
It allows you to apply for the residence permit.
Step 4 – Apply for Temporary Residence Permit
Within the legal timeframe (typically before visa expiry):
- Book appointment with local IGI office
- Submit employment documents
- Provide proof of address
- Provide health insurance (if required)
- Biometrics collected
Step 5 – Residence Card Issuance
After approval:
- You receive a residence permit card
- Validity usually 1 year (renewable)
B. If You Are Already in Romania (Renewal or Change of Status)
The sequence is similar but without the consulate phase:
- Ensure legal basis remains valid
- Prepare updated employment and housing documents
- Apply before expiration
- Attend biometric appointment
- Receive renewed permit
Late applications create complications.
Practical Realities Most Expats Discover Late
1. Address documentation is critical
Many delays occur because housing contracts are inconsistent or not properly registered.
Under Romanian civil law, a rental agreement is a consensual contract. This means it becomes legally valid the moment landlord and tenant agree — not when it is registered with the tax authorities.
Registration with the tax office is a fiscal obligation of the landlord, not a condition for the contract’s validity. The tenant has no legal responsibility for whether the landlord declares rental income.
However, immigration authorities do not assess only theoretical validity. In practice, they expect:
- A written contract
- A contract with a legally certain date (“data certă”)
- Proof that the address is formally recognized
A contract obtains a legally certain date when it is recorded through one of several mechanisms, such as:
- Registration with the tax authorities
- Notarial certification
- Lawyer attestation
- Registration in a public registry (e.g., Trade Registry for company headquarters)
This should not be confused with tax registration — fiscal registration is only one way of obtaining legal certainty.
For I.G.I., what matters is not simply that you rent an apartment, but that your housing situation is coherent, documentable, and enforceable.
2. Timing matters more than people expect
Applying too late can lead to penalties or temporary irregular status.
3. Offices differ slightly by city
National law is uniform, but administrative interpretation may vary.
4. Work authorization and residence are legally separate
Having one does not automatically grant the other.
Simplified Overview
EU citizen:
Register → Receive 5-year certificate
Non-EU citizen:
Employer authorization → Visa → Entry → Residence permit → Annual renewal