Long-Stay Visa for Commercial Activities

Romania's Long-Stay Visa for Commercial Activities (D/AC) enables non-EU nationals to enter and reside in Romania as shareholders or associates with management responsibilities in Romanian companies. Established under Government Emergency Ordinance No. 194/2002 and administered jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Inspectorate for Immigration, and the Ministry of Economy, the program targets foreign entrepreneurs who intend to establish or manage companies in Romania through capital investment and job creation. It provides a pathway to long-term residence after five continuous years.

• Be a third-country national intending to become a shareholder in a joint-stock company (SA) or associate in a limited liability company (SRL) in Romania
• Hold a management or administrative position in the Romanian company
• Obtain a specialized technical endorsement (aviz tehnic de specialitate) on your business plan from the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism
• Investment thresholds for residence permit extensions: EUR 100,000 in capital or technology and at least 10 full-time jobs for SRL associates; EUR 150,000 and at least 15 jobs for SA shareholders, within 12 months
• Demonstrate monthly income from Romanian business operations: EUR 500/month for SRL associates or EUR 700/month for SA shareholders
• Valid passport with at least 3 months validity beyond the estimated exit date
• Health insurance covering the entire visa and residence permit period
• Clean criminal record from country of domicile or residence
• The company must have no outstanding debts to the state budget and must not be in dissolution, liquidation, or insolvency proceedings
• Citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan, and Switzerland are exempt from the business plan and minimum investment requirements for the initial visa under bilateral agreements

For the long-stay visa:

• Specialized technical endorsement from the Ministry of Economy on the business plan
• Criminal record certificate from country of domicile or residence
• Valid medical insurance for the visa period
• Valid passport (minimum 3 months beyond estimated exit date)

For the residence permit extension:

• Valid passport or travel document
• Endorsement from the Romanian Centre for Trade and Investment
• Company registration certificate and articles of incorporation
• Proof of financial means (EUR 500-700/month from business operations)
• Proof of legal possession of registered office and residence address
• Social insurance documentation
• Medical certificate
• All foreign documents must be apostilled or legalized

The D/AC long-stay visa is valid for 90 days with single or multiple entries. After arriving in Romania, holders apply for a temporary residence permit at the General Inspectorate for Immigration within 30 days before the visa expires. Residence permits are extended for up to 1 year at a time. For investments of at least EUR 500,000 or creation of more than 50 full-time jobs, extensions of up to 3 years are available.

Renewal requires demonstrating continued compliance with the approved business plan, maintaining investment and job creation commitments, active shareholder or associate status with management duties, and proof of financial means. The Ministry of Economy conducts annual on-site verifications for 3 years after the business plan endorsement.

Spouses and dependent children may apply for family reunification through a separate long-stay visa application. Family members receive residence permits with validity aligned to the main applicant's permit. Each dependant must provide their own criminal record certificate, medical insurance, and proof of accommodation.

Individuals spending 183 or more days per year in Romania become tax residents and are liable on worldwide income. The personal income tax rate is 10%. Corporate income tax is 16%. Microenterprises with annual turnover up to EUR 100,000 pay a simplified 1% turnover tax (as of 2026). Social contributions apply to employment income.

Stage 1 — Business Plan Endorsement: Submit a detailed business plan to the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (Department for Foreign Investment) for the specialized technical endorsement. The Ministry evaluates the technical, economic, and utility feasibility of the proposed investment. Initial analysis takes approximately 15 working days, with the commission decision communicated within 30 days. The endorsement is valid for 6 months.

Stage 2 — Long-Stay Visa: Apply at a Romanian embassy or consulate abroad, submitting the endorsement along with a criminal record certificate, medical insurance, and passport. The National Visa Center forwards the request to the General Inspectorate for Immigration, which issues its opinion within 30-45 days. The visa application fee is EUR 120.

Stage 3 — Residence Permit: After entering Romania, register with the territorial unit of the General Inspectorate for Immigration and apply for the temporary residence permit before the visa expires. The company must be registered with the Trade Registry, and the applicant must hold a formal management position within the company.

After 5 continuous years of legal temporary residence (with absences not exceeding 6 consecutive months or 10 months total), holders may apply for long-term residence. Those who have actively contributed to Romania's economy may qualify for permanent residence after 4 years. Long-term residents receive equal treatment to Romanian citizens regarding employment, education, and social security.