Requirements & Costs

Everything you need to know: documents, timeline, costs, and how to prepare for Romania work opportunities

Eligibility

Basic requirements for Romania work opportunities

General Requirements

Age: 18-50 years (some roles up to 55)
Education: Minimum high school certificate
Health: Medically fit for physical work
Criminal record: Clean police clearance
Passport: Valid for at least 6 months
Work history: Some experience (even informal)

Role-Specific May Require

Specific certifications (e.g., welding, caregiving)
Language: Basic English or willingness to learn Romanian
Physical fitness for construction/manufacturing
Experience in hospitality or customer service
Technical skills for specialized roles
Trade certificates (electrician, plumber, etc.)

Documents Checklist

Required documents for Romania work permit applications

Valid Passport

Kenyan passport valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival date. Multiple blank pages required.

Where: eCitizen Kenya

Time: 2-4 weeks (new) / 1-2 weeks (renewal)

Cost: KSh 4,500 (32 pages) / 7,500 (48 pages)

Certificate of Good Conduct

Kenya Police clearance showing no criminal record. Valid for 6 months from issue date.

Where: Kenya Police via eCitizen

Time: 5-14 days

Cost: KSh 1,000

Education Certificates

KCSE certificate, diploma, or degree. Must be original or certified true copies.

Where: Your school/institution

Time: If lost: 2-4 weeks for replacement

Cost: KSh 500-2,000 (certified copies)

Birth Certificate

Original or certified copy. Required for some applications.

Where: Huduma Centre / eCitizen

Time: If lost: 2-4 weeks

Cost: KSh 50 (replacement)

Professional CV

Detailed work history with dates, responsibilities, and references. Must be sworn before a commissioner of oaths.

Where: Your creation + Commissioner

Time: 1-2 days

Cost: KSh 200-500 (affidavit)

Medical Certificate

Health examination including chest X-ray, blood tests (HIV, Hepatitis), general fitness assessment.

Where: Approved medical facility

Time: 1-3 days

Cost: KSh 10,000-15,000

Passport Photos

Biometric passport photos, white background. Usually need 6-8 copies.

Where: Professional photo studio

Time: Same day

Cost: KSh 300-500

Marriage Certificate

If married and spouse is joining you. Original or certified copy.

Where: Registrar of Marriages

Time: If lost: 2-4 weeks

Cost: KSh 50 (replacement)

Police Clearance Letter

From local police station confirming no pending cases.

Where: Your local police station

Time: 1-3 days

Cost: Free or small processing fee

Pro tip: Start with your passport and Good Conduct Certificate first. These take the longest and are absolute requirements. You can work on other documents while waiting.

Translation & Apostille Explained

What it is, when you need it, and why it matters

What is Document Translation?

Romanian authorities require all Kenyan documents to be translated into Romanian by certified translators. This ensures they can verify your credentials.

Documents that MUST be translated:

• Education certificates (KCSE, diploma, degree)
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Professional CV
• Good Conduct Certificate

Cost: KSh 2,000-3,000 per document
Time: 3-7 days per document

What is Apostille?

An apostille is an official certification from the Kenya Ministry of Foreign Affairs that verifies your documents are genuine. Think of it as a "seal of authenticity" recognized internationally.

How to get apostille in Kenya:

Get documents certified by issuing authority
Take to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nairobi)
Pay fee and submit for apostille
Collect apostilled documents (5-10 working days)

Cost: KSh 1,000-2,000 per document
Time: 5-10 working days
Location: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nairobi

Important:

Sequence matters: Documents must be apostilled BEFORE translation. The apostille certifies the original Kenyan document, then it gets translated.

Total cost for translations + apostille: Typically KSh 15,000-30,000 depending on number of documents.

Timeline (Step-by-Step)

Realistic time estimates for each stage

Phase 1: Document Collection

2-6 weeks

Apply for passport (if needed): 2-4 weeks
Good Conduct Certificate: 5-14 days
Medical examination: 1-3 days
Education certificates (if lost): 2-4 weeks
CV affidavit: 1-2 days

Phase 2: Translation & Apostille

2-4 weeks

Apostille at Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 5-10 days
Document translation to Romanian: 3-7 days per doc
Quality check and corrections: 2-3 days

Phase 3: Registration & Verification

1-2 weeks

Create account and upload documents: 1-2 days
Document verification by our team: 5-7 days
Profile completion and readiness assessment: 2-3 days

Phase 4: Employer Matching

Variable

Matching with Romanian employers: Depends on demand
Job offer and work permit invitation: 1-2 weeks
Prepare for next steps: Ongoing

Phase 5: Visa Application

4-8 weeks

Submit visa application to Romanian Embassy: 1-2 days
Embassy processing time: 3-6 weeks
Visa interview (if required): Schedule varies
Visa collection: 1-2 days after approval

Phase 6: Travel & Arrival

1-2 weeks

Book flight: Immediate
Final preparations: 1 week
Travel to Romania: Flight day
Initial settlement: First few weeks

Total Estimated Timeline

From document collection to arrival in Romania: 12-20+ weeks (3-5+ months)

*Timeline varies significantly based on: whether you already have a passport, how quickly you obtain documents, employer matching timeline, and embassy processing speed.

Cost Breakdown

Line-by-line transparent pricing (realistic ranges)

Complete Cost Breakdown

All costs from document preparation to arrival

Kenya-Based Costs:

Passport (if needed)KSh 4,500 - 7,500

Good Conduct CertificateKSh 1,000

Medical examination & testsKSh 10,000 - 15,000

Birth certificate / other docs (if needed)KSh 500 - 2,000

CV affidavit & passport photosKSh 500 - 1,000

Document translations (3-5 docs)KSh 8,000 - 15,000

Apostille services (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)KSh 5,000 - 10,000

Travel to Nairobi for apostille (if needed)KSh 2,000 - 5,000

Romania-Related Costs:

Romania D/AM visa fee€120 (≈KSh 16,800)

Flight ticket (one-way)KSh 60,000 - 100,000

Initial settlement funds (first month)€300-500 (KSh 42,000-70,000)

Typical Total (with passport)KSh 150,000 - 250,000

If you already have passportKSh 145,000 - 240,000

Ways to reduce costs:

• Already have a valid passport
• Use our document assistance package (bulk rates)
• Book flights during off-peak seasons
• Share accommodation initially

Hidden costs to watch for:

• Travel to Nairobi multiple times
• Document replacement if lost/expired
• Courier fees for urgent documents
• Exchange rate fluctuations (€ to KSh)

Common Delays + How to Avoid Them

Learn from others' mistakes

Expired or expiring passport

+4-6 weeks

Solution: Check passport validity NOW. If it expires in less than 12 months, renew it immediately.

Delayed Good Conduct Certificate

+2-4 weeks

Solution: Apply via eCitizen as soon as possible. Follow up if it takes longer than 14 days.

Lost education certificates

+3-6 weeks

Solution: Contact your school/institution immediately. Start replacement process early.

Incorrect translations

+1-2 weeks

Solution: Use certified, experienced translators. Verify translations before apostille.

Incomplete apostille documentation

+1-3 weeks

Solution: Ensure all documents are properly certified before going to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Medical certificate expires

+1 week + cost

Solution: Get medical exam closer to submission time. Most certificates valid for 3-6 months only.

Pro Tip: Start Early!

The biggest delay factor is starting too late. Begin your document collection NOW, even if you're not sure about timing. Having documents ready means you can move quickly when opportunities arise.

Ready to Start Preparing?

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