Quota, legal deadlines and how long it takes in practice
The 90,000 quota for 2026, all the legal deadlines in the procedure for hiring foreign nationals and a realistic estimate of the total duration.
Updated on 17 September 2026 · 7 min read
Two questions come up in every conversation with an employer: "Are there still places in the quota?" and "How long until the worker arrives?". This article answers both, clearly separating what the law says from what happens in practice.
What the quota is
The quota (contingent) is the maximum annual number of foreign workers newly admitted to the Romanian labour market, set by Government Decision (art. 1 para. (5) OUG 32/2026 – Emergency Ordinance no. 32/2026 on the access of foreign nationals to the labour market). For 2026, HG no. 1,169/2025 (Official Gazette (M. Of.) no. 1221/31.12.2025) set 90,000 workers. Art. 53 OUG 32/2026 provides that, until a new decision is adopted, the quota check refers to this number; as of 4 September 2026 we found no new decision. The quota may be increased by Government Decision (art. 1 para. (6)).
Art. 44 para. (6) OUG 194/2002 (the law on the status of foreign nationals) makes only the issuance of D/AM2 visas (permanent, seasonal, cross-border workers) conditional on the quota. D/AM1 visas (highly skilled workers, citizens of Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia, etc.) are not limited by the quota. Historically: 100,000 in 2022–2025, 50,000 in 2021, 30,000 in 2019.
What happens when it is exhausted
If the number of D/AM2 visas issued reaches the quota, consulates stop issuing D/AM2 visas until the quota is increased by Government Decision or until the following year's quota. Single applications can still be filed, but the visa is not granted. HG 602/2026 (art. 9) provides for publication in the platform of the number of applications, which should make it possible to track how much of the quota has been used; as of 4 September 2026 the platform was not yet publishing these figures.
Legal deadlines, step by step
| Stage | Legal deadline | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Employer registration (ANOFM) | max. 30 working days | art. 5 para. (6) OUG 32/2026 |
| Authorisation of the authorised employer (ANOFM) | max. 15 working days | art. 16 OUG 32/2026 |
| Authorisation of the placement agency (ANOFM) | max. 30 working days; valid for 2 years | art. 28–29 OUG 32/2026 |
| Single application – IGI/Ministry of Education checks in the platform | at most 30 days from filing | art. 44 para. (10) OUG 194/2002 |
| Visa – decision at the consulate | at most 30 days from the personal appearance | art. 44 para. (14) OUG 194/2002 |
| Visa application – inadmissible if filed | more than 3 months before arrival | art. 29 para. (4) OUG 194/2002 |
| Validity of the D/AM visa | 90 days (seasonal workers: contract + 5 days, max. 90) | art. 24 para. (1), 44 para. (7) |
| Filing the single permit application with IGI | at least 30 days before the visa expires | art. 51 para. (1) |
| Processing of the permit | 30 days (+15; +30 in exceptional cases) | art. 51 para. (4) |
| IGI appointment after approval of the single application for extension | 10 days | art. 56 para. (11) |
| Validity of the single permit | as long as the CIM, max. 2 years; highly skilled 3 years; seasonal 180 days/365 | art. 56 para. (2)–(4) |
| Residence after the CIM ends | 90 days | art. 56 para. (6) |
| Notification of IGI by the employer (absences, termination) | 5 working days | art. 7 para. (1) letter e) OUG 32/2026 |
The deadlines above are the maximum limits set by law for the authorities. They do not include the time needed for recruitment, preparing documents in the country of origin (criminal record, legalisations, insurance), booking the consulate appointment or obtaining the plane ticket. No one can guarantee an arrival date.
How long it takes in practice (estimate, not guaranteed)
- Registering the company in the platform and the contract with the agency: a few days of preparation, then up to 30 working days for the ANOFM reply (one time only; this step is skipped for subsequent projects).
- Selecting the workers in the country of origin (Nepal, Sri Lanka, India and other countries in Asia, Africa and other regions), testing, preparing the documents (criminal record, translations, legalisations, insurance, financial proof): usually 3–6 weeks.
- Signing the contracts (placement, bilingual CIM), registration in REGES-ONLINE and filing the single application: a few days.
- IGI checks in the platform: up to 30 days.
- Booking and appearing at the consulate, visa decision: up to 30 days from the appearance; the booking itself may take time, depending on the consulate.
- Plane ticket, arrival, transport to the workplace (organised by the agency), start of work.
- After arrival: medical certificate, proof of living space, single permit application with IGI within the first 60 days; the permit is issued within 30–75 days.
In CADIMA's experience, from signing the contract with the employer to the worker's arrival it usually takes 3–5 months. This duration is indicative and not guaranteed: it depends on the workload of the authorities, the availability of consulate appointments, the accuracy of the documents and any platform bottlenecks, reported in the press in August 2026 and not officially confirmed.
How to reduce delays
- Register the company in the platform before you urgently need workers.
- Settle any debts to the budget and check the certificate of good standing (average number of employees) in advance.
- Declare the job vacancy to ANOFM with the exact occupation and COR code from the shortage list.
- Prepare the proof of living space and the medical certificate appointment before arrival.
- Plan the single application so that the visa is not requested more than 3 months before arrival.
The deadlines reflect OUG 32/2026, OUG 194/2002 and HG 1,169/2025 in force on 4 September 2026. The quota and deadlines may change; practical durations are estimates from experience, not commitments. Check the situation on the filing date. This article is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
The quota is 90,000. As of 4 September 2026 the platform was not publishing how much had been used, so we cannot confirm figures. Check the statistics section of WorkinRomania.gov.ro on the filing date.
No. No reputable agency can guarantee the authorities' timelines. Our estimate from experience is 3–5 months, but the actual duration may differ.
No. The quota concerns newly admitted workers, i.e. the issuance of D/AM2 visas. A change of employer is made through a single application for extension, without a new visa.
If the permit application was filed on time, the right of residence is maintained until a decision is issued (art. 51 para. (4^2) OUG 194/2002). If it was not filed, the foreign national is left residing illegally, with risks for them and for the employer.
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: HG nr. 1.169/2025, contingentul de lucrători străini nou-admiși pentru 2026 (90.000) · 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) · HG nr. 602/2026 privind platforma electronică WorkinRomania.gov.ro · Platforma WorkinRomania.gov.ro, informații pentru angajatori, vize și ședere, registre · Tipuri de vize de lungă ședere (D/AM1, D/AM2), portalul eViza