Legalization of foreign nationals on the labor market

Cojocariu Eugen, 07.05.2026, 18:17

The General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) has announced the adoption of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 32/2026, which allows foreign nationals on the labor market to legalize their status.

The new legal provisions allow the regularization of the legal situation of foreign nationals who remained on the territory of Romania after the expiration of the right of residence established by the long-stay visa for employment or by the single permit, and against whom a return measure was not ordered.

Thus, the persons concerned have the right to contact the territorial units of the General Inspectorate for Immigration to regularize their right of residence. An important step is to contact any of the territorial units of the Inspectorate to declare the address where they actually live, an action that must be completed within a maximum of 60 days from April 27, 2026.

Subsequently, they can request, by December 31, 2026, the extension of the temporary right of residence for work purposes without the need to obtain a new long-stay visa for employment, subject to the procedure provided for in art. 56 para. (10) and (11) of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 194/2002, republished, with subsequent amendments and completions.

The main objective of the General Inspectorate for Immigration is to support foreign nationals in regularizing their right of residence. Provided that they present themselves  to regularize their legal situation, they will not be subject to fines for minor offences or return measures to their country of origin, the purpose being to allow them to regularize their status.

We encourage you to contact the territorial units of the General Inspectorate for Immigration and to consult only official information channels in order to benefit from all the facilities offered by the current legislation, the IGI urges foreign nationals in difficulty.