Foreigners who have entered Romania on the basis of a long-stay visa, as well as those who are exempted from the requirement to obtain a long-stay visa, may have their temporary residence right extended by the Romanian Immigration Office or its territorial units, under the conditions provided for by law.
The right of temporary residence in Romania may be extended successively for periods of up to one year, only if:
a) the conditions for entry into Romania are still met;
b) they are not reported by the competent authorities as presenting a danger to national defence and security or public health;
c) during their stay in Romania, none of the grounds for refusal of entry has occurred;
d) they possess a valid travel document;
e) applies for an extension of the right of residence for the same purpose for which he/she was granted a long-stay visa or the right of residence on the basis of which he/she is on the territory of Romania was extended;
f) has previously fulfilled the purpose for which he/she was granted permission to stay in Romania;
g) provides proof of legal ownership of the living space and actually lives at the address at which he/she declares that he/she is residing in Romania.
In the case of foreigners benefiting from a right of residence for family reunification, the proof of legal ownership of the living space may be provided by the sponsor or the Romanian citizen whose family members they are and with whom they actually live.
h) provide proof of social health insurance. At the first extension of the right of residence, foreigners may present health insurance for all the risks normally covered for Romanian citizens;
i) present the proof of payment of the fees related to the extension of the right of residence and the cost of the document issued for this purpose;
j) the general conditions as well as the special conditions for the extension of the right of residence are met, depending on the purpose for which the extension is requested.
Foreigners are also obliged to take the necessary steps to extend or renew the validity of their documents when they expire.
However, the extension of the right of temporary residence may also be granted for periods longer than one year.
It should also be mentioned that foreigners whose residence on the territory of Romania is in the interest of the Romanian State are granted an extension of the right of temporary residence at the express request of the Parliament, the Presidential Administration, the Government or the central public administration authorities addressed to the General Inspectorate for Immigration, if they do not pose a threat to public order or national security.
Cristian Badea – Attorney at law
