IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The quota on work permits for non-EEA nationals will remain at 5,500 this year, the Romanian government has confirmed in the Official Gazette.

What does the change mean? While the total quota has not changed from last year, the quota on seconded workers has been reduced by 200 and added to the quota for local hires.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Work permits.
  • Who is affected: Employers and foreign nationals applying for work permits.
  • Business impact: Fewer quota numbers are available for seconded workers and more quota numbers are available for local hires, but the number of work permits for high-skilled workers will remain the same as last year.
  • Next steps: Work permit applications must be supported by a quota slot and will not be issued once the quotas are reached.

The 2016 quotas published in the Official Gazette are as follows:

Category 2015 2016
Local hire/permanent 3,300 3,500
Assignee/seconded 900 700
EU Blue Card 800 800
Interns 200 200
Seasonal 200 200
Cross-border workers 100 100
Total 5,500 5,500

BAL Analysis: Employers should factor in the adjustments to the quota numbers for seconded workers and local hires when planning for hiring and recruitment in the coming year.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Romania. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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