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

Moving from Uzbekistan to Romania for work is one of the most reliable legal pathways into the European Union today. Romania sets a large annual work quota for non-EU citizens, and Uzbek nationals are widely recruited across the country. If you are a welder, driver, builder, warehouse worker, or hospitality staff member, you can secure a legal job with a formal employment contract in Romania.

This guide explains the step-by-step process of getting your work visa, the actual costs you will face in Uzbekistan, the required paperwork, and how to avoid recruitment scams. Everything here is tailored specifically for Uzbek citizens moving to Romania for skilled or manual trades.

Work Permits and Application Steps in Uzbekistan

To work legally in Romania, you cannot apply for a work visa completely on your own. The process requires two separate steps, and your employer in Romania must start the process first.

• Step 1: Work Permit (Aviz de Angajare) - Your future employer in Romania must apply for this official authorization from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări - IGI). They must prove that the position cannot be filled by a Romanian or EU citizen and that you meet the skill requirements. You cannot apply for this document yourself.
• Step 2: Long-Stay Work Visa (Viza de lungă ședere pentru angajare în muncă - Type D/AM) - Once the IGI issues the Aviz de Angajare, your employer sends the original or digital copy to you in Uzbekistan. Only after receiving this document can you submit your application for the Type D/AM visa.

Once you hold your approved work permit and a signed employment contract, you must apply for your Type D visa before traveling. Uzbek citizens submit their applications at the Embassy of Romania in Tashkent or the nearest Romania embassy or visa centre serving Uzbekistan.

You must schedule an appointment through the official Romanian eVisa online portal before visiting in person. When attending your appointment in Tashkent, bring original documents along with full photocopies. Embassy staff will review your file, take your passport, and collect your biometrics, including fingerprints and a digital photo.

Documents, Legalization, and Consular Fees

Preparing your paperwork correctly is critical. Missing an apostille or submitting an uncertified translation will cause delays or visa refusals. As a citizen of Uzbekistan, you need the following documents:

• Valid Passport - Your Uzbek international passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your visa expiry date and contain at least two blank visa pages.
• Approved Work Permit - The original or official electronic copy of the Aviz de Angajare issued by IGI in Romania.
• Signed Employment Contract - A complete labor contract or binding offer letter stating your salary, working hours, job duties, and housing details.
• Police Clearance Certificate - An official criminal record certificate issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan, showing you have no criminal record.
• Proof of Qualifications - Trade certificates, diplomas, or official work record books (Trudovaya Knizhka) showing relevant experience in your trade.
• Medical Clearance - A medical health certificate from a recognized Uzbek clinic confirming you are fit for physical work and free from contagious diseases.
• Health Insurance - Travel medical insurance covering your journey and initial stay until your official Romanian state health coverage begins.

Apostille and Translation Rules: Because Uzbekistan and Romania are both members of the Hague Convention, your official Uzbek documents (police clearance and qualification certificates) must receive an Apostille stamp in Uzbekistan. Once apostilled, these documents must be translated into Romanian by a certified translator and officially notarized. Consular officials in Tashkent do not accept un-translated Uzbek or Russian documents.

Processing Times and Official Fees: Work permit processing at IGI in Romania takes approximately 30 to 60 days. Once submitted at the embassy in Tashkent, visa processing takes approximately 14 to 30 days. The official consular fee for a long-stay work visa is set by Romania at approximately 120 EUR, payable during your embassy appointment.

Real Costs in Uzbekistan and In-Demand Trades

While employers pay immigration fees inside Romania, you will have personal expenses in Uzbekistan to prepare your application. Here are rough ranges of what you should expect to spend out of pocket:

• Police Certificate and Apostille - Approximately 150,000 to 350,000 UZS (around 10 to 25 EUR).
• Document Translations and Notarization - Approximately 400,000 to 900,000 UZS (around 30 to 65 EUR) for Romanian translations.
• Medical Examination - Approximately 250,000 to 600,000 UZS (around 18 to 45 EUR) depending on the clinic.
• Travel Medical Insurance - Approximately 300,000 to 600,000 UZS (around 20 to 45 EUR) for initial coverage.
• One-Way Flight Ticket - Approximately 3,500,000 to 7,500,000 UZS (around 250 to 550 EUR) from Tashkent to Bucharest.

Under European regulations and Romanian labor standards, employers carry the primary recruitment costs. No agency or employer may legally charge you money simply to give you a job. Check the exact rules for Romania before paying anyone. Be very careful of illegal agents in Uzbekistan charging thousands of euros in upfront processing fees. Fake agencies often target Uzbek workers with promises of guaranteed visas. Always check that an employer is legitimate before paying for translations or flights.

Romania actively hires non-EU workers in several core industries right now:

• Construction Trades - Masons, carpenters, welders, and heavy equipment operators are widely hired for major commercial and road construction projects.
• Warehouse and Logistics - Order pickers, packers, and forklift drivers are in constant demand across supply hubs in major cities.
• Hospitality and Catering - Line cooks, kitchen helpers, and hotel maintenance staff are regularly recruited for urban hotels and seasonal resorts.

Myths vs facts

Knowing the reality of Romanian immigration helps you avoid expensive mistakes and scam agencies.

• Myth: You can apply for a Romanian work visa by yourself without an employer.
• Fact: You cannot apply for a work visa until a registered Romanian employer gets an approved Aviz de Angajare for you first.
• Myth: A Romanian work visa lets you move and work in Germany or France immediately.
• Fact: A Romanian work visa and residence permit only allow you to work legally for your registered employer inside Romania.
• Myth: Paying an agency a large cash fee in Tashkent guarantees your visa will be approved.
• Fact: Visa approval is decided only by Romanian consular officials, and no private agency can guarantee a positive outcome.
• Myth: You can enter Romania on a tourist visa and start working legally right away.
• Fact: You must enter Romania on a Type D work visa issued by the embassy outside Romania to work legally.

Before you sign

Use this safety checklist before signing any contract or handing over money:

• Verify company details - Confirm the employer lists a real registered company name, address, and tax registration code in Romania.
• Check salary and working hours - Ensure your contract clearly states your basic monthly wage, work schedule, and overtime payment rules.
• Review housing conditions - Check whether your employer provides free housing or deducts accommodation costs directly from your wage.
• Clarify travel costs - Confirm in writing whether you or your employer will pay for your flight ticket to Romania.
• Keep your passport - Never hand over your original passport to a recruitment agent or intermediary as a hold or security deposit.

Build Your Profile on Workuro

Starting your search for legal employment in Romania begins with presenting your real skills clearly to legitimate European employers. Create a complete profile detailing your trade experience, current Uzbek documentation status, medical history, and basic language skills. Direct visibility allows employers to find you directly without costly intermediaries.

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