Romania offers undocumented Bangladeshi workers to regularise status

Romania has introduced a new opportunity for Bangladeshi workers who became undocumented after legally entering the country to regularise their status under specific conditions, the Bangladesh Embassy in Bucharest said in an urgent notice.

The announcement, issued on Tuesday (April 28), said the provision comes under Romanian Emergency Ordinance No. 32, published in Official Gazette No. 335, which allows non-EU nationals who have lost legal status to apply for regularisation if they meet eligibility requirements.

The embassy welcomed the move, saying it could benefit a significant number of Bangladeshi workers currently living in irregular situations.

According to the notice, workers who entered Romania legally but later became undocumented due to various circumstances — such as failing to secure employment within 90 days or not finding a new employer after leaving a job — may be eligible to apply.

It also noted cases where employers deduct taxes from salaries but fail to remit them to authorities or do not complete required documentation, leaving workers unintentionally out of status.

Affected workers have been advised to contact Romanian immigration authorities within 60 days of the new law coming into effect and must secure a valid employer to qualify for work and residence permits.

The embassy cautioned that applicants may initially face procedural complexities and encouraged workers to seek consular assistance if needed.

However, the provision will not apply to individuals who have been ordered to leave the country or those who entered Romania illegally, authorities said, adding that final approval will rest with Romanian immigration officials.

The scheme will remain in effect until December 31, 2026.