Working After Graduation in Romania: Staying to Find a Job

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Romania does not have a separate post-study visa. Instead, the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) can extend your student residence after graduation, and if you find a job the employer starts a work-permit procedure. This guide reflects the IGI pages checked in October 2026. IGI's English pages are not always consistent, so confirm the current rules with your county IGI office before you rely on a date.

EU, EEA and Swiss graduates

Citizens of these countries do not need a visa or a work permit. If you stay more than three months, register your residence with the IGI office of your county: see student visa for Romania. The rest of this guide is for non-EU graduates.

Extending your student residence after graduation

IGI says the right of temporary residence for studies may be extended for nine months after graduation for job search and for the formalities of starting work or a business. You must submit documents proving that you completed your studies. IGI's page also states, in another section, a shorter extension of up to six months after graduation, so ask your local office which period it applies in your case.

Submit the renewal at least 30 days before your current permit expires. IGI decides within 30 days, extendable by 15 if it needs extra checks. If you have not finished your degree on time, a separate extension of up to one year to complete your studies is possible.

IGI notes that students aged 26 or over need social health insurance to extend their stay: see health insurance for students in Romania.

What you can do during the extension

While you hold a residence permit for studies, IGI allows you to work without a work permit only under an individual part-time employment contract of up to six hours a day. The pages we used do not say that this limit is lifted once you graduate, so assume that a full-time job needs a work authorisation until IGI confirms otherwise. See scholarships and student jobs in Romania for rules on pay and tax.

How a job becomes a permit

The route starts with the employer, not with you.

The employer applies. For highly qualified workers, IGI says the employer files a single application on the WorkinRomania.gov.ro platform. For this category the job must be covered by a full-time individual employment contract, either open-ended or fixed for at least six months, with a salary at least at the level of the average gross salary.
The employer shows a local search. IGI says the employer must show steps to fill the job with a local or EU/EEA/Swiss candidate or a long-term resident, through a workforce certificate issued within 90 days before filing.
Your residence changes purpose. IGI says foreigners who already hold residence for another purpose can apply for an extension for work after obtaining a work permit, without a long-stay employment visa. File at the IGI office of your county, or online, at least 30 days before your current right of residence ends.

Other occupations, such as shortage occupations, have different conditions and are filed by a foreign employment agency or an authorised employer. If you have a degree, ask your future employer which category the job belongs to.

How long the work permit lasts

According to IGI, the extension of a standard work permit is granted for the validity of the employment contract, but not more than two years. For highly qualified workers it is the contract validity plus three months, but not more than three years. IGI also lists a Single Permit and an EU Blue Card as work-based options. The Blue Card salary threshold is not given on the IGI page we used, so ask your employer or IGI before relying on it.

Practical tips

Start the job search before graduation. The extension is limited, and the employer's procedure takes time.
Keep your diploma, transcript and the university's certificate of completion ready, because IGI asks for proof that you finished.
Do not let your permit expire while a work application is pending. Apply for the extension on time.
Ask the employer for a written timetable of the work-permit steps before you accept an offer.

Where to look next

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.