If a Romanian employer is sponsoring a foreign worker, the work permit will fall into one of two broad visa categories under the new system. For most blue-collar roles, that is the D/AM2 visa. But D/AM2 is not a single, uniform category — it covers three distinct types of worker, each with its own rules.
Here's what each means for an Indian candidate.
The two visa tracks (quick recap)
- D/AM1 — for highly qualified professionals.
- D/AM2 — for general/blue-collar labour, and the one that applies to most Indian candidates seeking work in trades like construction, welding, driving, hospitality, and production.
Within D/AM2, there are three sub-categories. Knowing which one you fit is essential, because it changes the type of contract and the situation you are placed into.
1. Permanent workers (the most common route)
This is the standard D/AM2 visa for a permanent, year-round job. If you are placed as a permanent worker with a Romanian employer, you fall here.
Examples: a cook in a hotel, a driver for a logistics company, a carpenter or electrician on a construction site, a production operator in a factory.
Key points for a permanent worker:
- You are employed on a regular, ongoing contract.
- Your trade generally needs to be on Romania's shortage-occupation list (or the employer must meet the quota requirements).
- The employer drives the application.
2. Seasonal workers
Seasonal D/AM2 applies to work that is tied to a specific season — most commonly in agriculture.
Examples: a farmer, a vegetable grower, or a seasonal agricultural labourer hired for the harvest period.
Key points:
- The contract is time-bound to the season.
- The shortage-list requirement still applies in the relevant category.
- The work is genuinely seasonal, not a year-round role mislabelled.
3. Cross-border workers
Cross-border D/AM2 applies to workers resident near the border who cross into Romania for work while living in a neighbouring country. This is a niche category and is not the route for the vast majority of Indian candidates, who travel to and remain in Romania.
Which one applies to you?
For an Indian candidate, the relevant D/AM2 category is almost always permanent (or occasionally seasonal for agricultural roles). Cross-border is a border-residence situation that does not fit most Indian applicants.
The trade-off is simple: the clearer your trade matches a genuine, in-demand role, the more straightforward the route. Seasonal work is time-boxed; permanent work is the more stable, long-term path for most blue-collar candidates.
What to verify
- ✅ Confirm your specific trade and whether it's in demand.
- ✅ Confirm whether the offer is permanent or seasonal — this changes everything.
- ✅ Confirm the employer is real and verified.
- ✅ Confirm the agency is on the official authorized list.
- ✅ Never pay cash for placement; never be promised a guaranteed visa.
The honest bottom line
Understanding the difference between permanent, seasonal, and cross-border D/AM2 workers helps you ask the right questions — and spot offers that are vague or misrepresented. The correct category for your situation should be clear from the job offer itself.
Green Outdoors Global Pvt Ltd is an MEA-licensed recruiting agency. Contact: [email protected] | WhatsApp +91 77789 78988
Visas and placement are subject to the decision of the relevant authorities — no outcomes are guaranteed.