Foreign workers for manufacturing and factories
Factories in the processing, food, textile, plastics and furniture industries are looking for operators and workers for production lines that run in shifts. The core occupations, welders, fitters, machine operators, packers, unskilled assembly workers, are on the Lista ocupațiilor deficitare (List of shortage occupations) approved by MMFTSS Order no. 1.073/2026. We recruit workers used to repetitive work, at line pace, and to 2–3 shift schedules.
Eligible occupations (with COR code)
From the What does it mean?Lista ocupațiilor deficitare (List of shortage occupations), the official list of trades (with COR code) for which workers from outside the EU can be brought in on a D/AM2 visa; approved by order of the Minister of Labour (289 occupations in Order 1,073/2026). Read the guide → approved by MMFTSS Order 1.073/2026. The employment contract must use the exact Romanian occupation name and COR code.
| Occupation | COR code |
|---|---|
| sudor (welder) | 721208 |
| sudor manual cu arc electric (manual arc welder) | 721203 |
| sudor cu arc electric cu electrod fuzibil în mediu de gaz protector (gas metal arc welder, MIG/MAG) | 721206 |
| lăcătuș mecanic (mechanical fitter) | 721410 |
| lăcătuș construcții metalice și navale (metal and naval structures fitter) | 721407 |
| strungar universal (lathe operator) | 722413 |
| frezor universal (milling machine operator) | 722408 |
| operator la mașini-unelte cu comandă numerică (CNC machine operator) | 722323 |
| operator la prelucrarea maselor plastice (plastics processing operator) | 814203 |
| operator mase plastice (plastics operator) | 814209 |
| confecționer, prelucrător în industria textilă (textile industry garment maker) | 753113 |
| confecționer-asamblor articole din lemn (wood products assembler) | 821906 |
| tâmplar universal (joiner) | 752201 |
| operator la fabricarea mezelurilor (sausage and cold cuts production operator) | 816007 |
| ciontolitor-tranșator carne (meat cutter / butcher) | 751102 |
| mașinist la mașini de ambalat (packaging machine operator) | 818301 |
| ambalator manual (manual packer) | 932101 |
| controlor calitate (quality inspector) | 754301 |
| muncitor necalificat la asamblarea, montarea pieselor (unskilled assembly worker) | 932906 |
| muncitor necalificat la ambalarea produselor solide și semisolide (unskilled packer of solid and semi-solid products) | 932904 |
What employers in manufacturing and factories usually ask for
- Groups of 10–50 operators for production lines, often in waves, as capacity expands.
- 2 or 3 shift schedules, including nights and weekends, with the allowances provided by law and by the collective agreement.
- Indefinite-term contracts; employers aim for staff stability over at least 2 years.
- Accommodation near the factory (own dormitory or rented housing), with organised transport for night shifts.
- Unskilled workers for packing and assembly, plus a core of skilled tradespeople (welders, fitters, CNC operators).
- In the food industry: higher seasonal demand before holidays and during the harvest season.
Specific employer obligations
- For welders, fitters, lathe and CNC operators: proof of qualification and experience (CV, certificates, practical testing); welders are tested on the process required by the employer.
- Occupational health and safety (SSM) training in a language the worker understands, including for work with machinery, presses and hazardous substances; protective equipment provided by the employer.
- In the food industry: medical check and fitness certificate, hygiene training and compliance with the plant's HACCP rules.
- Medical clearance for night shift work and for manual handling of loads.
- Training on specific equipment (labelling, packaging, automated lines) done by the employer at the workplace, with translated sheets.
Which countries we recruit from for manufacturing and factories
The main markets below and many other countries in Asia, Africa and other regions, depending on your request. All countries →
Can't find the country you're looking for?
Can't find the country you are looking for? Tell us the country, the number of workers and the trades you need, and our team will assess whether the recruitment process can be organised, depending on your request and the legal possibilities.
Frequently asked questions, Manufacturing and factories
Yes. The List of shortage occupations includes unskilled occupations such as "muncitor necalificat la asamblarea, montarea pieselor" (unskilled assembly worker, 932906) or "ambalator manual" (manual packer, 932101). The condition is that the occupation in the contract matches exactly the activity performed; otherwise the employer risks a fine (10,000–20,000 lei).
The shift schedule is specified in the firm job offer and in the employment contract, and candidates are informed before accepting. We select people who have already worked in shifts. Night work is paid with the legal allowance and requires medical clearance.
At least the national gross minimum base salary guaranteed in payment: 4,325 lei gross from 1 July 2026 (GD 146/2026), for a full-time contract. The salary must be paid into the worker's bank account, not in cash. Allowances, overtime and any bonuses apply in the same way as for Romanian employees.
A full-time individual employment contract, for an indefinite or fixed term, registered in REGES-ONLINE before the cerere unică (single application) is filed. The contract is bilingual: in Romanian and in the language of the country of origin or in an international language the worker understands (usually English). The contract must contain the elements of the ofertă fermă (firm job offer): salary, working hours, accommodation, transport.
Yes. The registered employer has a legal obligation to provide Romanian language courses, with elements of cultural and social integration, for at least 6 months from the start of the activity, with at least 6 hours per week (art. 7 para. (1) letter g) of GEO 32/2026). The courses can be organised in-house or with an external provider; we can help you organise them.
The law provides a maximum of 30 days for checking the cerere unică (single application) in the WorkinRomania.gov.ro platform and a maximum of 30 days for deciding on the visa at the consulate, to which you add recruitment, preparation of documents in the country of origin (legalised criminal record, medical insurance) and organising the journey. We do not guarantee fixed deadlines; we present an estimated timeline at the start of the collaboration.
Update of 17 September 2026
Following the decision of the Bucharest Court of Appeal admitting the application, filed by the Employers' Association of Labour Importers (Patronatul Importatorilor de Forță de Muncă) in case no. 5633/2/2026, to suspend the enforcement of Order no. 1073/2026 of the Minister of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity approving the List of shortage occupations provided for in art. 1 para. (2) of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 32/2026 on the access of foreign nationals to the labour market in Romania, and amending and supplementing certain legal acts (Order no. 1073/2026), the WorkinRomania platform flows for employer registration, employer authorisation and filing the single application for D/AM2 long-stay visas are deactivated.
This information explains the law in plain language and is indicative only. Your specific situation must be checked against the legislation in force on the filing date.
Official sources: Ordinul MMFTSS nr. 1.073/2026 pentru aprobarea Listei ocupațiilor deficitare (289 ocupații) · OUG nr. 32/2026 privind accesul străinilor pe piața muncii din România, precum și pentru modificarea și completarea unor acte normative · OUG nr. 194/2002 privind regimul străinilor în România (forma consolidată)
Do you need people in manufacturing and factories?
Tell us how many and for which positions. We check the occupations against the list and send you the offer on the same working day.