Romania is a country in southeastern Europe which you may know due to it being the home of the region of Transylvania. However, Romania is known for a lot more than that, though its gothic castles and medieval towns are certainly a large part of its charm.
If you are planning on visiting Romania, depending on your nationality and purpose of travel, you may have to apply for a Romania visa beforehand. Fortunately, Romania has made the process of Romania visa application smoother by digitizing part of it.
This article is a guide on how to apply for a Romania visa, what documents you will need, and other frequently asked questions.
Do I Need a Visa to Go to Romania?
You need a Romania visa if you are from one of the following countries:
- Afghanistan*
- Algeria*
- Angola*
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh*
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Myanmar
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cabo Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad*
- China
- Republic of the Congo
- Ivory Coast
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo*
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt*
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea*
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- India*
- Indonesia*
- Iran*
- Iraq*
- Jamaica
- Jordan*
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon*
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya*
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mali*
- Mauritania*
- Mongolia
- Morocco*
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Niger
- Nigeria*
- North Korea*
- Oman
- Pakistan*
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia*
- South Africa
- South Sudan*
- Sri Lanka*
- Sudan*
- Suriname
- Syria*
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Comoros
- Togo
- Tunisia*
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan*
- Vietnam
- Yemen*
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
*When applying for a short-stay visa, nationals from these countries must have an invitation letter, which is endorsed by the Inspectorate General for Immigration from the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Also, citizens of the following countries who do not hold biometric passports are subject to Romania visa requirements:
- Albania
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Georgia
- Moldova*
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
- Ukraine
Palestine and Kosovo are not recognized as states by Romania. To apply for a Romanian visa, they must also get a letter of invitation which is approved by the Inspectorate General for Immigration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Romania Visa Exemptions
Additionally, you do not need to apply for a Romania short-stay visa (up to 90 days) if you fall under one of the following categories:
- You have a valid short-stay visa, long-stay visa, or residence permit issued by a Schengen member state.*
- You have a valid long-term resident’s EC residence permit issued by an EU member country.
- You have a valid permanent residence permits issued by the UK or Ireland which is valid for at least five years.
- You are a non-EU family member of a Romanian, EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen. This only includes the spouse, children under 21, and parents who are dependent on the EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen.
*You are only allowed to stay in Romania for the remainder of the validity of your current Schengen visa. For example, if your visa was issued for 20 days, and you spend 10 of them elsewhere, you may only spend the remaining 10 in Romania.
What Are the Types of Romanian Visas?
- Short-term visa (C type). This is the most common visa, valid for travel throughout all Schengen Area member states for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It can be issued for various purposes, including:
- Tourism
- Business
- Visiting family or friends
- Cultural or sporting events
- Official visits
- Medical reasons
- Short-term studies
- Other specific reasons
- Airport transit visa (A type). This visa is required if you need to transit through the international transit area of a Romanian airport to wait for a connecting flight. This visa is valid for transit through international transit areas in one or more airports of the Schengen Area.
- Long-term visa (D type). This visa is required if you plan to stay in Romania for over 90 days. There are various subtypes depending on your reason for staying:
- Economic activities (D/AE). This visa caters to individuals engaging in economic activities in Romania, following specific regulations.
- Professional activities (D/AP). This category is for individuals coming to Romania to provide professional services regulated by Romanian law (e.g., doctors, lawyers).
- Commercial Activities (D/AC). Suitable for those intending to carry out commercial activities in Romania, potentially setting up a business.
- Employment (D/AM). The standard work visa for those seeking employment with a Romanian company.
- Secondment (D/DT). For temporary work assignments in Romania by employees of a foreign company.
- Studies (D/SD). This visa is required for students enrolling in a Romanian educational institution for studies exceeding 90 days.
- Family Reunification (D/VF). Allows family members of Romanian citizens or legal residents in Romania to join them in the country.
- Religious Activities (D/AR). This is for individuals traveling to Romania to participate in religious activities or work for a religious organization.
- Scientific Research (D/CS). Specific visa for researchers conducting scientific projects in Romania.
- Other Purposes (D/AS). This category might cover other long-term stays not mentioned above, such as remote work.
- The diplomatic and service visa (DS). This visa is strictly for non-Romanian citizens holding diplomatic or service passports on official business. They must be part of a diplomatic mission or consulate in Romania. The application process is handled by governments, not individuals, and the visa’s validity is tied to the mission’s duration or bilateral agreements between Romania and the applicant’s home country.
When Is the Best Time to Apply for a Romania Visa?
You should schedule an appointment to submit your visa application no more than six months before your intended trip and, ideally, no later than 15 calendar days before your departure.
How to Apply for a Romania Visa?
The application process for a Romanian visa is as follows:
- Gather the required documents.
- Complete the application form.
- Submit your application.
- Await for visa validation.
- Book an appointment with the embassy/consulate of Romania.
- Attend the appointment.
- Pay the visa fee.
- Collect your visa.
Gather the Required Documents
Gathering all the required documents before beginning your online application is important. This step is crucial because you must submit these documents during the online application process. Ensure that each file does not exceed 2 Megabytes (2 MB) and is in one of the accepted formats: jpeg, jpg, tif, png, bmp, txt, rtf, or pdf. Click here to see the detailed list of documents required for a Romania visa.
Complete the Application Form
Access the Ministry of Foreign Affairs E-Visa webpage to complete the application form. It’s crucial to provide truthful and accurate information during the application process. When completing the application form, you will be requested to submit the required documents. Please note that you have the option not to submit the documents online. Instead, you can check the box indicating you will bring the documents to the Romanian diplomatic mission or consular post.
Submit Your Application
After completing your visa application, review and update it to ensure all information is accurate and complete. Once you have conducted thorough checks, download the application form and submit it to the Romanian embassy or consulate.
Await for Visa Validation
After you submit your application, the consular staff will review it for validation. They may request additional information or confirm its validation. You will receive an email regarding the validation status within a few days. You can also check the status of your visa application on Eviza.ro under “Apply for a visa,” point 3 “Check.”
Book an Appointment With the Embassy/Consulate of Romania
After receiving notification that your application has been validated, you must schedule an appointment with the nearest Romanian embassy or consulate. You can book the appointment by email or phone, depending on your country of residence.
Attend the Appointment
During your appointment, you will sign the application form in front of the consular staff. Make sure to bring any additional documents requested after the visa application validation. The Romanian embassy or consulate will notify you via email about the decision on your submitted application. The application process typically takes around 15 days, but it may extend depending on various factors.
Pay the Visa Fee
During the appointment process, you must also pay the visa fee. The Romanian visa cost is €90. The payment methods depend on your country of residence.
Collect Your Visa
The Romanian embassy or consulate will email you to notify you of the decision on your submitted application. If your visa is approved, you are free to get it.
Can you Apply for a Romania Visa From Another Country?
Yes, you can. In some cases, you may have no other choice.
You can only submit a Romania visa application to the consulate or diplomatic mission of Romania. If there is no Romanian consulate/diplomatic mission in your country, you will have to travel to another, nearby country to do so.
However, you can only submit the Romania visa application in the Romanian consulate/mission that is in a country where you are a citizen or a legal resident. In case there’s no Romanian mission in the country you live in, submit the application to the Romanian diplomatic mission that has accreditation over your country of residence.
You cannot submit a Romania visa application in the Romania consulate or mission of a country for which you have a tourist visa, except in emergencies.
How Long Does it Take to Process a Romania Visa?
After you submit your application, it takes at least 15 working days to process. However, this may extend to 30 days or more. Processing times vary based on factors like the number of applications and the complexity of your case. Be patient and avoid making non-essential travel plans until you receive a decision.
How Long Can I Stay in Romania With a Schengen Visa?
You can stay in Romania for a maximum of 90 days within six months. It’s important to note that the Romanian consulate determines your permitted stay duration in Romania and the entire Schengen area. If your visa is multiple-entry and valid for over 90 days, you must follow the 90/180 rule when calculating your legal stay in Romania. Upon receiving your visa, check the visa sticker for the following details:
- Duration of stay: Indicates the total number of days you can stay in Romania and the Schengen area combined.
- Valid from – valid to: Specifies the start and end dates of the visa’s validity. Ensure you stay within the duration specified during these dates.
How Much Is the Romania Visa Fee?
When submitting your visa application at the Romanian consulate or diplomatic mission, a non-refundable Romania visa processing fee is required. The fees for a Romania visa are as follows:
| Type of visa | Consular fee |
| Short-term visa (C type) | €90 |
| Airport transit visa (A type) | €90 |
| Long-term visa (D type) | €120 |
| Children aged 6 to 12 | €45 |
Citizens from the following countries are eligible for a reduced Romania visa fee of €35:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Georgia
- Montenegro
- Ukraine
Citizens from the following countries are exempted from paying the visa fee:
- Moldova
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
Where Can I Apply for a Romania Schengen Visa?
You can apply for a Romania Schengen visa at the Romanian embassy or consulate in your home country or the country where you legally live. If there’s a Visa Application Center (VAC) in your area, you can also apply there. If your trip includes Romania and at least one more Schengen state, then submit your application at a Romanian embassy, consulate, or Visa Application Center (VAC) in your country if the following apply:
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- You plan to spend more time in Romania than in other Schengen countries.
- You plan to spend equal time in each country but are commencing your Schengen trip by entering through Romania.
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How Many Times Can I Enter Romania With a Schengen Visa?
With a Romania Schengen visa, the entry allowances are as follows:
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- Uniform visa. There are two types of visas:
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- Single Entry Visa. Permits one entry into Romania and the Schengen area.
- Multiple Entry Visa. Allows multiple entries into Romania and other Schengen countries during the visa’s validity period.
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- Limited Territorial Validity Visas (LTV). These visas restrict travel to Romania only and do not grant access to other Schengen countries unless issued explicitly by the French embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country.
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Have All Border Controls Been Lifted in Romania?
According to the Schengen Borders Code, controls on persons at internal sea and air borders have been lifted as of 31 March 2024, while rules regarding checks on goods remain unaffected. However, checks at the internal land borders (Romania-Bulgaria and Romania-Hungary) will continue until further decisions are made.
I Hold a Short-Term Visa Issued By Romania. Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Another Schengen Country?
If you hold a short-term issued by Romania before 31 March 2024 and plan to travel to another Schengen country, you must apply for a visa from the authorities of the country you intend to visit.
Do I Need Something Other Than a Visa to Enter Romania?
Yes, you need permission form immigration officers at border points.
A Romanian visa does not allow you to automatically enter the country. You will still have to go through immigration control at the border points. It is the immigration officers who ultimately decide whether you can enter, so you must have all the documents necessary to convince them.
They will want to see proof you will leave after your visa ends, how long you will stay, and what you are travelling for.
So, it is best that you carry copies of the documents you submitted for the visa application with you.
Is Romania Part of Schengen?
Yes, as of March 31 2024 Romania is part of the Schengen Area, which ecompasses 29 European countries that have established visa and border control-free travel between them.
However Romania, along with Bulgaria are said to be partial members of the Schengen zone, which means that there are still land border controls between Romania and the Schengen border. All other borderes are abolished.
What If I Want To Stay in Romania for More than 90 Days?
Anyone who wants to travel to Romania to stay for a period longer than 90 days, has to apply for a Romania long stay visa, except EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.