Working in Romania from Ghana: Visa, Permit, Costs (2026)

Romania is actively bringing in foreign workers to fill labor gaps in construction, logistics, manufacturing, and hospitality. Every year, the Romanian government approves a large quota for workers from outside the European Union. If you are a Ghanaian welder, driver, caregiver, mason, or warehouse worker looking to work legally in Europe, Romania offers a clear pathway. You do not need to pay thousands of dollars to an illegal agent to secure a genuine job.

The work permit and visa route from Ghana to Romania

Moving from Ghana to Romania for work involves two main steps. The Romanian employer must start the application process before you can apply for your visa in Ghana.

• Step 1: The Employment Permit (Aviz de muncă) - Your prospective Romanian employer applies for an employment permit called an Aviz de muncă through the General Inspectorate for Immigration (Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări - IGI) in Romania. The employer must prove that they cannot fill the position with a local or EU worker, show a clean tax record, and offer a valid contract meeting minimum wage rules. You cannot apply for this permit yourself; the employer handles the entire process inside Romania.
• Step 2: The Long-Stay Visa for Employment (Type D/AM) - Once IGI approves the Aviz de muncă, your employer sends you the approved permit. Only after receiving this document can you submit your application for a Long-Stay Visa for Employment (Type D/AM).

Applying in Ghana: Documents, fees, and timeline

As a Ghanaian national, you submit your visa application directly through the Romanian diplomatic representation in Ghana.

• Where to apply - You submit your application at the Embassy of Romania in Accra, Ghana. Before visiting the embassy, you must upload your documents and schedule an interview on the official Romanian e-Visa online portal (evisa.mae.ro).
• Required documents - You will need a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned stay, the official Aviz de muncă work permit from your employer, a signed employment contract, passport photos, travel health insurance covering at least 30,000 EUR, proof of accommodation in Romania, a medical fitness certificate from a recognized Ghanaian health center, and a official police clearance certificate.
• Legalization requirement - Your Ghanaian Police Clearance Certificate (issued by the CID Headquarters in Accra) and vocational certificates must be legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in Accra before your embassy appointment. Romania requires this step to verify that your Ghanaian documents are authentic.
• Official fees - The employer pays the work permit fee of approximately 100 EUR in Romania. The Long-Stay Visa fee paid by the worker at the embassy in Accra is approximately 120 EUR (payable in local currency as directed by the embassy).
• Processing timeline - The work permit in Romania takes approximately 30 to 60 days to process. The visa processing at the Embassy in Accra takes approximately 30 to 45 days. The entire journey from signing a job offer to arriving in Romania usually takes approximately 3 to 5 months.

Costs the worker carries on the Ghana side

While European employers handle recruitment costs, you should plan for personal document preparation and travel preparation expenses in Ghana. Here is a realistic list of expenses you will pay directly:

• Ghana CID Police Clearance Certificate - Approximately 150 GHS to 350 GHS (approx 10 EUR to 25 EUR).
• Medical examination and tests - Approximately 800 GHS to 1,500 GHS (approx 50 EUR to 100 EUR) at a certified medical clinic.
• Document legalisation in Accra - Approximately 200 GHS to 500 GHS (approx 15 EUR to 35 EUR) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Travel medical insurance - Approximately 600 GHS to 1,200 GHS (approx 40 EUR to 80 EUR) for mandatory coverage during travel.
• Flight ticket from Accra to Bucharest - Approximately 8,000 GHS to 15,000 GHS (approx 500 EUR to 1,000 EUR). Many reputable employers cover or reimburse your flight ticket upon arrival, but you must read your contract to confirm who pays.

Placement fees and avoiding recruitment scams in Ghana

Recruitment scams targeting Ghanaian workers are common. It is vital to understand international labor rules before handing over your hard-earned money.

Under EU and international regulations, no employer or agency may legally charge a worker a fee simply to give them a job. The employer must carry recruitment costs and official Romanian permit processing fees. You should check the exact rules for Romania, but legitimate Romanian companies do not ask jobseekers to pay thousands of dollars for a job offer.

Be extremely cautious of agents in Accra, Kumasi, or on social media demanding high fees for guaranteed work visas. Fake agents often issue fraudulent appointment letters or forged work permits. Never pay money into a personal Mobile Money account or pay cash upfront to an unverified broker. If an agency claims they can grant you a Romanian work visa without an approved Aviz de muncă from the IGI, it is a scam.

Trades in demand in Romania

Romania regularly recruits Ghanaian workers to fill specific labor shortages across several key sectors:

• Construction trades - Romanian building contractors actively hire qualified masons, welders, steel fixers, carpenters, and heavy machine operators for commercial and housing projects.
• Logistics and warehousing - Major transport hubs and retail distribution centers across Romania hire warehouse operatives, forklift operators, and packers to maintain inventory flow.
• Hospitality and cleaning services - Hotels, restaurants, and facility management companies recruit room attendants, kitchen stewards, line cooks, and general cleaners.

Myths vs facts

• Myth: You can travel to Romania on a tourist visa and convert it to a work permit after landing.
  Fact: You cannot convert a short-term visitor visa into a work permit inside Romania; you must obtain your Aviz de muncă first and apply for your Type D/AM visa in Ghana.
• Myth: You must pay thousands of dollars to an agent in Accra to get a legal job offer in Europe.
  Fact: Legitimate European employers pay for recruitment and work authorization, making high agency placement fees illegal and unnecessary.
• Myth: You must speak fluent Romanian before you can work in a skilled trade in Romania.
  Fact: While learning basic Romanian words helps with daily life, many international construction and logistics companies operate with English-speaking supervisors.
• Myth: A Romanian work permit allows you to freely work in Germany or France immediately.
  Fact: Your work permit grants you legal rights to reside and work specifically for your sponsoring employer in Romania.

Before you sign

Before you sign a contract or transfer money for document processing, complete this safety check:

• Verify that your job contract clearly states your job title, net monthly salary, working hours, and overtime conditions.
• Confirm whether accommodation, work clothing, and daily workplace transportation are provided free by the employer or deducted from your salary.
• Ensure you receive a full copy of your signed contract before the employer submits your application for the Aviz de muncă permit.
• Verify that your Police Clearance Certificate from the Ghana CID is properly legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra.
• Keep digital and paper copies of every official receipt, contract page, and approval document issued by the Romanian government.

Build your Workuro profile today

If you want to work legally in Romania, make sure employers can easily find your details. On Workuro, you can set up a personal profile that displays your trade skills, work experience in Ghana or abroad, language abilities, and passport availability. Add your trade certifications, driver licenses, and document readiness so verified employers in Romania can evaluate your profile and contact you directly for open roles.

Workuro is free for workers - employers pay to search the register, and nobody may charge you for a job.