The Nepali, Bangla and Sinhala editions were translated and checked by AI models. No native speaker has reviewed them. The English edition is the reference version. If in doubt, compare the translation with the English edition and the official sources. Most facts were last checked against the official sources on 2 October 2026; the source ledger shows the check date of each claim.

Questions workers ask

My employer or recruiter has kept my passport.

Romania’s own worker guidance lists passport retention as a warning sign. The precise legal and safety response depends on what happened and whether you are free to leave, but you should not dismiss this as routine recruitment practice.

Urgent safety issue If you are in immediate danger, use emergency help. Do not confront someone if doing so could put you at greater risk.

What to do next

If you are in immediate danger, use emergency services.
Record who holds the passport, when it was taken and what happens when you ask for it back.
Keep copies/photos of identity and immigration documents somewhere you control.
For coercion, threats or exploitation, use the appropriate police/anti-trafficking route; for immigration documents/status, also contact IGI as relevant.

What the source says

RO-WARN-001 · Warning signs · verified 2 October 2026

Current official guidance lists warning signs including a requested placement commission, no contract before departure, no contract in an understood language, changing claims about salary/hours/accommodation/transport, passport retention, and a job different from the contract.

Date and context: 8 August 2026

Sources

WorkinRomania — information for foreign workersRomanian Government / WorkinRomania · Government guidance
Romanian PolicePoliția Română · Government authority
National Agency against Trafficking in PersonsANITP · Government authority
General Inspectorate for ImmigrationIGI · Government authority

What this answer does not decide This page cannot decide whether your employer, recruiter or legal status is safe or lawful. Check the linked authority for your situation.

Situations

I arrived and the job is different from the job in my contract.I owe recruitment debt and I am being threatened not to leave.An agent says I can enter Romania first and the work papers will be fixed later.

Situations → · Guide