Romania's Digital-Nomad and Work Visas: A Chinese-Passport Guide

The nomad visa: ten papers, two doors

The visa stage (OUG 194 Art. 49(2^1), Legea 22/2022): a) the work contract with the non-Romanian company, original + authenticated translation, proving remote IT&C work, or proof of remotely running your own foreign company for 3+ years at request date; b) the company paper, original + translation: company ID, contact, field, your role, legal representatives; c) the letter of intent, original + translation: purpose and planned activities; d) the tax-clearance paper (apostilled/superlegalized + translation): taxes current, no evasion/fraud; e) the ticket booking (or driving papers + itinerary); f) medical insurance for the whole visa, valid in Romania, at least €30,000; g) means of at least 3× the average gross monthly wage, for each of the last 6 months + the whole visa; h) proof of accommodation; i) the criminal record (apostilled + translated, origin + residence/income state); j) whatever else the authorities ask. Every line paraphrases the statute; articles sit in the card footer.

Source: OUG 194 · art. 49(2^1)(a)–(j)

After entry: 6 months first, then the tax office

The residence stage (OUG 194 Art. 69): nomads jointly meet two rows: the foreign contract (original + translation) or the 3+ year foreign company run remotely (same bar as the visa), plus the company paper. The income line as at the visa: 3× the average gross monthly wage, for the requested period. First extension: 6 months; later ones need the bar still met + the income certificate from the tax authority. Online filings go through the IGI portal (portaligi, open 18.09.2026, 200).

Source: OUG 194 · art. 69(1)(i), 69(3), 69(7)

The work visa: the employer runs first

For new applications, OUG 32/2026 distinguishes D/AM1 and D/AM2. The employer completes the single D/AM1 application through WorkinRomania for the statutory categories, including highly qualified workers. D/AM2 covers permanent, seasonal and cross-border workers, normally through an authorised agency, subject to the legal exceptions. As checked on 23 October 2026, the platform reports that employer registration, employer authorisation and submission of single D/AM2 applications are disabled following the court-ordered suspension of Order 1073/2026; confirm the procedure before signing or paying. The 180-day period from the work authorisation remains for transitional cases under OUG 32/2026 Article 49(3), not as a universal step for new applications. Follow the employer, IGI and consulate instructions for the work visa; the IGI residence portal is used at the appropriate stage after entry.

Source: OUG 194 · OUG 32/2026: art. 27¹–27²; art. 49(3)

What income must you prove?

Monthly income must be at least three times Romania’s average gross monthly wage for each of the preceding six months and throughout the visa period. The INS monthly series, checked on 23 October 2026 and current through August, reported an average gross monthly wage of 9,497 lei for August 2026; three times the gross figure is 28,491 lei. This is a dated arithmetic illustration, not a current lei threshold confirmed by IGI. Confirm which wage reference IGI applies and what evidence it requires.

Source: OUG 194 + IGI · formula: art. 49(2^1)(g) + art. 69(3)

Related guides

For a short visit, see the Schengen visa guide; for work in Romania, see the English-language work guide. This page covers digital-nomad and work-residence routes for Chinese passport holders.