Business Visa and Residence in Romania for a Company Owner
Updated 23 October 2026
This page is for a non-EU/EEA owner of a Romanian SRL. It covers the D/AC long-stay visa (searched as a business visa), the ARICE opinion and the IGI permit.
- For citizens of states outside the EU and the EEA
- Opinion from ARICE, permit from IGI
- Long-stay visa fee EUR 300 from 27 April 2026
- You appear in person; we prepare the file
The visa and the permit are the applicant's own files.
Business visa and residence permit, in two stages
This page covers the long-stay visa for commercial activity, D/AC (activități comerciale). It also covers the temporary residence permit (permis de ședere temporară) that IGI issues after it. A company gives its owner no right to reside by itself. The D/AC visa requires the role of member or shareholder with management powers. It also requires a technical opinion from ARICE.
A short business trip needs another visa: type C, up to 90 days in any 180, fee EUR 90. With no company yet, you start with forming a Romanian SRL from scratch and what it costs in time. A buyer of an existing SRL starts with our ready-made companies service.
Routes for a company owner, side by side
Five routes, each with the conditions the law sets. Which one fits your case is for us to discuss with you. Instead of a golden visa, there is the residence route for a company investor.
| Route | Who it covers | What the text sets | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| D/AC visa, then the permit for commercial activity | Citizens of states outside the EU and the EEA who are or will become members or shareholders with management powers; a buyer becomes a member by the share transfer | The ARICE technical opinion, then the long-stay visa, then the IGI residence permit | e-Visa visa types; IGI; art. 43 OUG 194/2002; art. 202(2) Law 31/1990 |
| D/AS visa for a hired administrator | An administrator who is not, and for 2 years has not been, a member or shareholder of any Romanian legal person | No other foreigner holds a stay on this ground at the company; a company contribution of at least EUR 50,000. A buyer who is a member is outside it (our reading) | art. 49(1)(c) OUG 194/2002; e-Visa visa types |
| Long-term residence shortcut | A foreigner who already holds a temporary right of stay | EUR 1,000,000 invested on the own stake, or more than 100 full-time jobs, "may" earn long-term residence without the 5-year and means conditions; the other conditions remain | art. 70(1), 71(4) OUG 194/2002 |
| Short business trip, type C visa | Short stays; some nationals need no visa for them | Up to 90 days in any 180; fee EUR 90; not a residence route | e-Visa visa types and fees |
| Golden visa, residency by investment, start-up visa | No such category | The long-stay visa types of art. 20 list none (our reading); residence runs through a company role | art. 20 OUG 194/2002 |
What's included
What we prepare, and what stays with the authorities.
The order of the two files
We put the steps for your company in order, with the dates that matter. The opinion is valid 6 months. The permit is filed at least 30 days before the visa's stay ends. Renewal is due at least 30 days before expiry.
The company side
This covers the share transfer, administrator, seat, object and capital increase. A Bar-registered lawyer drafts the acts (art. 3 Law 51/1995). The company, seller or buyer notifies ANAF. We file at ONRC under a notarised power of attorney (or a lawyer's mandate).
One checklist for both files
The documents of the visa file and the permit file in one list, with the translation and legalisation each foreign document needs.
The business-plan outline
An outline you fill in, with the items art. 43(2)(a) lists for the plan. It includes a financial projection of at least 3 years.
The hand-offs
A Bar-registered lawyer handles the company's legal acts. A CECCAR member or the company's own accounting staff keeps the books and runs payroll. We sell neither.
What stays with the authorities and with you
ARICE gives the opinion. The Foreign Ministry grants the visa after IGI's opinion. IGI decides the permit. You appear for the visa and file the permit. We promise no outcome or time.
Who decides what
The applicant
- Appears in person at the mission for the visa
- Files the permit in person or online
ARICE
- The technical opinion on the business planvalid 6 months
The Foreign Ministry, its mission and the National Visa Centre
- The visaapproved only after IGI's opinion
IGI
- Opinion on the visa within 30 days, extendable by 15
- Then the permit, decided within 30 days, extendable by at most 15
ITM, the labour inspectorate
- Certificate of full-time staff for renewals
ONRC
- Company filings within 15 days of the act
ANAF
- The share-transfer notice within 15 days, made by the company, the seller or the buyer
A Bar-registered lawyer
- The company's legal acts
RomaniaShelf Solutions
- Prepares and sequences the filedecides nothing
How the D/AC route works
Steps 2 to 6 follow a working order; the law does not set it. Every duration below is a statutory or official term.
Take over the SRL
A transfer to an outsider needs the approval of at least three quarters of the capital, unless the articles differ (art. 202(2) Law 31/1990). A lawyer drafts the deed. The ANAF notice and the ONRC filing are due within 15 days.
Fit the company to the plan
You become administrator. The company holds its seat lawfully for a term, through our registered office service or a lease. Any change of object is filed within 15 days.
Show the funds
You need one statement from a bank in Romania, in your name. It shows at least EUR 100,000 for an SRL member or EUR 150,000 for an SA shareholder (art. 43(2)(b)). No text we read covers opening the account.
Plan and opinion
You write a business plan with the art. 43(2)(a) items and a 3-year projection. ARICE then gives its technical opinion, valid 6 months (art. 43(7)). Its processing term is not in the texts we read.
The visa
You apply on e-Visa, appear in person at the mission of your district and pay the EUR 300 fee. IGI gives its opinion within 30 days, extendable by 15. The visa runs 90 days.
The first permit
You file in person at IGI or online, at least 30 days before the visa's stay ends. IGI decides within 30 days, extendable by at most 15. More on a temporary residence permit in Romania.
The first 12 months
Within 12 months of the permit, you contribute at least EUR 100,000 in capital or technology. You also create at least 10 new jobs, shown in the employee register (art. 43(2)(c)-(d)).
Renew and look ahead
Renew at least 30 days before expiry. From the second permit, you show EUR 50,000 and at least 10 full-time jobs on your stake (art. 55(2)(e), 55(6)). Each permit runs a year, or 3 years from EUR 500,000 invested or more than 50 full-time jobs.
law a term or threshold set by law fee a state charge
visa stage
- 1
Statement of funds
- law at least EUR 100,000 from a bank in Romania
- 2
Business plan
- law with a 3-year projection
- 3
ARICE opinion
- law valid 6 months
- 4
IGI's opinion
- law 30 days, extendable by 15
- 5
The visa fee
- fee EUR 300
- 6
The visa
- law 90 days
permit stage
- 7
Filing the permit
- law at least 30 days before the visa's stay ends
- law decided in 30 days, extendable by at most 15
- 8
Means and card
- law means of EUR 500 a month
- fee the 265 lei card
- 9
Within 12 months of the permit
- law EUR 100,000 contributed and 10 new jobs
- 10
From the second permit
- law EUR 50,000 and 10 full-time jobs on the own stake, with means from activity in Romania
- 11
The length of a permit
- law one year, 3 years from EUR 500,000 invested or more than 50 full-time jobs
- 12
Long-term residence
- law after 5 years of continuous temporary stay
Order and labels, not a scale.
Want the company steps put in order before the visa file?
Send us the company you hold or plan to buy. The checklist shows what must be in place in it before each filing, with the dates.
Documents you will need
Items 1 to 6 follow the e-Visa supporting documents and IGI's route page. Item 7 is the art. 43(2)(b) condition for the ARICE opinion (OUG 194/2002, consolidation valid 27 to 30 April 2026). Every foreign official document filed at ONRC also needs a legalised Romanian translation (art. 76 Law 265/2022).
- Passport valid at least 3 months beyond the visa, issued within the last 10 years.
- Two recent colour photographs, 3 x 4.
- The ARICE technical opinion on the business plan.
- Criminal record certificate, translated into Romanian, English or French and legalised.
- Travel medical insurance valid in all member states, cover of at least EUR 30,000.
- Proof of accommodation.
- The statement of a bank in Romania, in your own name.
- Permit: the company's registration certificate, constitutive act and proof of the seat.
- Permit: proof of the home, social insurance and a medical certificate.
- Permit: means for its whole validity, EUR 500 a month for an SRL member.
- ONRC: apostille or superlegalisation, unless a treaty or EU rule removes the formality.
- Hired administrator (D/AS): the mandate contract and proof of the EUR 50,000 contribution.
Romanian requirements at each stage
State charges: the long-stay visa fee is EUR 300 for e-Visa applications from 27 April 2026 (e-Visa visa fees). For a residence permit, you pay a EUR 120 consular fee in lei. The card costs 265 lei including VAT (IGI fee sheet of 21 August 2025). Thresholds come from OUG 194/2002, art. 43 and 55.
| Condition | SRL member (asociat) | SA shareholder (acționar) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa stage: funds in one statement of a bank in Romania, in the applicant's name | EUR 100,000 | EUR 150,000 | art. 43(2)(b) |
| Visa stage: capital or technology contribution within 12 months of the permit | EUR 100,000 | EUR 150,000 | art. 43(2)(c) |
| Visa stage: new jobs within 12 months of the permit | 10 | 15 | art. 43(2)(d) |
| Monthly means for the whole validity of the permit | EUR 500 | EUR 700 | art. 55(1)(d); IGI |
| From the second permit: contribution | EUR 50,000 | EUR 70,000 | art. 55(2)(e) |
| From the second permit: full-time jobs | 10 | 15 | art. 55(2)(e) |
Problems we solve
Five problems that come up on this route, and how the file handles each. The authorities decide.
Owning the company is taken for residence
The law asks for the member or shareholder role with management powers. It also asks for the ARICE opinion before the visa. We build the file in that order, and the authorities decide.
Two stages, two sets of figures
The plan commits at least EUR 100,000 and 10 jobs. From the second permit, IGI checks EUR 50,000 and at least 10 full-time jobs on your own stake. We show both on one timeline, and neither replaces the other.
EUR 700 quoted to an SRL owner
EUR 700 a month is the SA shareholder's figure. An SRL member shows at least EUR 500 a month (art. 55(1)(d)). The file uses the figure for your company form.
A dormant shelf at renewal
From the second permit, the activity must follow the plan. The object must stay the original one, or its continuation or result (art. 55(2)(a)-(b)). On our reading, a dormant company would not meet that.
Documents from abroad
The criminal record certificate is translated and legalised. Foreign documents filed at ONRC need an apostille or superlegalisation, unless a treaty or EU rule removes it. They also need a legalised Romanian translation.
Need the company's object and seat lined up with the plan?
Send us the company's object, seat and payment-account details. The checklist compares each with what the filings will ask.
Frequently asked questions
Does owning a Romanian company give me the right to live in Romania?
No. A citizen of a state outside the EU and the EEA needs the long-stay visa for commercial activity (D/AC). This visa requires the role of member or shareholder with management powers and the ARICE technical opinion. Then IGI issues a temporary residence permit. A ready-made SRL gives its buyer no right to reside by itself.
Can the buyer of a ready-made SRL use the D/AC route?
The visa text covers foreigners who are or will become members with management powers. It does not ask for a new company. The buyer becomes a member by the share transfer and is in practice appointed administrator. No text we have read says how ARICE treats an existing company, so we promise no outcome.
How much money must I show, and what must the company invest?
The opinion needs one statement from a bank in Romania, in your name. It shows at least EUR 100,000 as an SRL member (EUR 150,000 for an SA shareholder). The plan commits at least EUR 100,000 and 10 new jobs within 12 months of the permit. From the second permit, IGI checks EUR 50,000 and at least 10 full-time jobs, counted on your stake.
Do you apply for the visa and the permit for me?
No. You apply for the visa on the e-Visa portal and appear in person at the Romanian mission of your district. You file the permit in person at IGI or online. We prepare and sequence the file and the company-side steps. We represent no one before the authorities. ARICE, the Foreign Ministry and IGI decide.
What does the state charge, and what do you charge?
The long-stay visa fee is EUR 300 for applications through e-Visa from 27 April 2026. For a residence permit, you pay a consular fee of EUR 120, in the lei equivalent. The permit card costs 265 lei including VAT, per IGI's fee sheet of 21 August 2025. Our own pricing is on request.
How long does it take?
We promise no overall time. IGI gives its opinion on the visa within 30 days, extendable by 15. It decides a permit within 30 days, extendable by at most 15. You file the permit at least 30 days before the visa's stay ends. The ARICE opinion is valid 6 months. Its processing term is unpublished in what we read.
Is there a Romanian golden visa, residency by investment or start-up visa?
Not in the text we read. The long-stay visa types of art. 20 OUG 194/2002 include no investor or start-up category. Residence runs through a company role. The one investment shortcut, art. 71(4), gives long-term residence at the authority's discretion. It needs EUR 1,000,000 invested or more than 100 full-time jobs, and a temporary right of stay already held.
Do I need a work permit to run the company or to hire the 10 staff?
Since 27 April 2026, there is no separate work permit. OUG 32/2026 repealed Title I of OG 25/2014. The long-stay visa for employment (D/AM) now attests the right to work. The owner's own route is the D/AC visa and permit on this page. An employer's conditions for hiring non-EU staff directly are not covered here.
Can I hire a foreign director instead of moving myself?
Through the D/AS visa, if the director is the administrator. The director is not, and for 2 years has not been, a member or shareholder of any Romanian legal person. No other foreigner holds a stay on this ground at the company, which has contributed at least EUR 50,000. A buyer who is a member cannot use it for themselves.
Is a business visa for a short trip the same thing?
No. A short-stay (type C) visa costs EUR 90, and covers up to 90 days in any 180. Some nationals need no visa for such stays. The D/AC visa is a long-stay visa for those who will run a Romanian company. The Foreign Ministry's e-Visa pages list the documents of a business-trip visa; they are not summarised here.
Which documents does the owner's visa file need?
The D/AC visa file needs the ARICE opinion, a criminal record certificate translated and legalised, and travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 cover. Add proof of accommodation, two photographs and a passport valid at least 3 months beyond the visa, issued within the last 10 years. An employment (D/AM) visa has its own list, not covered here.
How long is the permit valid, and can it lead to long-term residence?
One year at a time, or 3 years from EUR 500,000 invested or more than 50 full-time jobs. After 5 years of continuous temporary stay, you can apply for long-term residence, valid 5 years, as IGI states. The A2 Romanian certificate applies to applications filed from 1 January 2027. Earlier ones follow the previous law (art. 52(6) OUG 32/2026).
Planning to live in Romania as the owner of an SRL?
Tell us the company you hold or plan to buy. The checklist sets out both files and the company steps in order.