Romania Work Visa for Pakistanis 2026: Work Permit, D/AM Visa, Fees & Process
Romania has become one of the most popular European work destinations for Pakistani labourers and skilled staff, thanks to steady demand in construction, hospitality, manufacturing and transport. But it is a strictly employer-led route with several stages — and the long-stay visa fee is set to rise sharply in 2026. Here is the honest picture.
What kind of visa is it?
Romania hires non-EU workers through a two-part system: a work permit plus a long-stay employment visa (type D/AM). Your Romanian employer must first obtain the work permit for you from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI). Only then can you apply for the D/AM visa at the Romanian Embassy in Islamabad and, after you arrive, a residence permit to live and work legally.
Who starts it — and who can apply
Unlike a tourist visa, you cannot begin this on your own. A registered Romanian employer initiates the process by filing your documents and paying the permit tax at IGI. You will typically need a valid passport, a genuine job offer or contract, relevant qualifications or experience, a clean police record and proof of medical fitness.
The 2026 process, step by step
- Job offer. Secure a real offer from a Romanian employer.
- Work permit. The employer applies to IGI, which usually decides within about 30 days (extendable by up to 15 more days for extra checks).
- D/AM visa. With the approved permit, you apply for the long-stay work visa at the Romanian Embassy in Islamabad; the mission usually processes applications within roughly 15 days.
- Travel & residence permit. After entering Romania, apply for your residence permit to stay and work legally.
Fees you should budget for
The employer pays roughly €100 for the work permit. The bigger change is the visa fee: from 27 April 2026 the Romanian long-stay visa fee rises to €300 (it was €120 before). On top of that, budget for VFS/service charges, document attestation and translation, medical checks and travel. Be very wary of “agents” quoting lump sums of several thousand euros — a legitimate job should never require you to buy the permit.
Watch out for fraud
Romania work-visa scams are common in Pakistan. No one can sell you a guaranteed permit, and it is the employer — not you — who files it at IGI. Verify the company is real, never pay large cash sums to middlemen, and get your degree and experience documents properly attested and translated. A clean Police Character Certificate is usually required too.
Planning a move to Europe?
Hijrat’s team in Islamabad and Rawalpindi can help you check a Romanian job offer, prepare a clean, correctly attested file, and compare other routes on our visa services page.
Visa rules and fees change frequently, and every decision rests with the Romanian authorities (IGI and the embassy) — not with Hijrat. The figures here, including the €300 long-stay visa fee effective 27 April 2026 and the processing times quoted, are based on 2026 information and can change without notice. Always confirm the latest requirements and costs with the Romanian Embassy in Islamabad and the IGI before you pay anything.