Guide on how to apply for a Romania Private Visit Visa
If you miss your family or a friend based in Romania and want to take a trip to see them, you need to get a Romania private visit visa.
Knowing the importance of family and loved ones, uniting with them should be a priority. Fortunately, if you already have a Romanian private visit visa, the procedures for processing your visa application will be hassle-free. However, not everyone whose family or friend resides in Romania has a Romanian personal visit visa.
So, if you plan to take a trip to Romania, you need to find out which Romania visa you should go for. In the case of a visit, you will go for a Romanian private visit visa.
Travel to Romania offers the best travel experience in the world. That is why you must follow through with the specifications and procedures.
This article, therefore, will furnish you with everything you need to know before obtaining a Romanian private visit visa, from visa eligibility criteria to applications and steps. And from requirements and documents to frequently asked questions.
Please read on!
Romania private visit visa
Now that you’re dreaming about Romania, you have an opportunity to obtain your private visit visa through a simple process. Romania’s visit visa allows foreign citizens of non-Eu member states to visit a friend or family in Romania territory. Therefore, this visa allows you to spend quality time with them in Romania for a maximum of 90 days.
This visa does not allow you to take a trip around the territory of Romania with them. However, it will enable you to enter Romania for purposes other than visiting.
Romania’s private visit visa can either be a single or double entry. But it is granted to the applicant based on an invitation from a family member or friend. And without the invitation letter, it is hard to issue the visa to the applicant.
Generally, the host (friend or family member) initiates the invitation application. And they also must either be a Russian citizen or a foreign citizen with a residence permit and live in Romania.
Who can obtain a Romanian private visit visa?
The Romania private visit visa is specifically available to family members or friends of foreign nationals.
The foreign citizens must be;
- A spouse to a Romania citizens
- A spouse of a foreign citizen who has a residency in Romania.
- Children of a Romanian citizen or foreign national holding a residence permit in Romania.
- A friend or extended family member of a Romanian citizen or foreign national holding a residence permit in Romania.
Exemptions to Romania private visit visa.
Additionally, you are exempted from applying for a Romania private visit visa if you fall under any of the following categories;
1. Have a valid short stay visa, long stay visa, or residence permit of a Schengen member country.
2. Have a valid short-stay visa, long-stay visa, or residence permit from either Bulgaria, Cyprus, or Croatia.
3. Hold a valid long-term resident’s EC residence permit of an EU member country.
4. Hold a valid permanent residence permit in the UK or Ireland. This permit is valid for at least five years.
5. Are a non-EU family member of a Romanian, EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen. However, this includes the spouse, children, and any dependents on the EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen.
6. Hold a Schengen, Bulgarian, Cyprus, or Croatia visa. However, this is only throughout the validity of the visa.
What documents do you need for a Romanian private visit visa?
You have a handful of knowledge of a Romanian private visit visa and the eligibility for acquiring one. Here are the documents you need to keep handy should you need to get yourself a Romanian private visit visa.
#1. An invitation letter:
For a Romanian private visit visa application, you need an invitation letter from the host. The invitation letter is also required in processing a Romania business visa as well as a tourist visa.
The host writes this letter stating the reason for the visit and confirming their citizenship or residency in Romania. In addition, they include their obligation to cover repatriation expenses if you do not leave the country after the visa expires.
The invitation letter must receive approval from the General Inspectorate for Immigration-Ministry of Internal Affairs (IGI-MAI). If the IGA does not approve the latter, you will be unable to apply for a Romanian private visit visa. Therefore, it is best if your host- to- be submitted the letter two months before you begin your visa application.
One original copy of the invitation letter will be sent back to the host, and the other original copy will be sent to you if approved.
When submitting your visa application documents, ensure to include the invitation letter.
#2. A copy of my international passport:
Your international passport must have a validity period that exceeds your stay in Romania. That is to say that your passport should be valid for at least six months after your visa application has been approved.
The travel document must be recognized by Romania and issued in the previous ten years. In addition, there should be at least two blank pages where your local consular staff can affix your visa.
#3. Romania private visa application form:
The visa form must be filled out, printed, and signed. In the case of a minor, the parents, local guardian, or anyone who has custody of the minor must sign the application form.
#4. Two copies of passport photographs:
The passport must be recently taken photos that follow the passport requirements for a Romania travel visa.
The photos must make the applicant’s facial features visible and taken on a white background.
#5. Proof of bond:
This is in the case of spouses or children. The provided document confirms family ties and bonds.
#6. Proof of financial means:
This can be the bank statement of the applicant or that of the sponsor. This proves that you can cover your day-to-day expenses throughout your stay in Romania.
The money should also cover the cost of your flight ticket and hotel accommodation. So you should have less than €500 overall (or its equivalent in your country’s currency).
The proof of financial means is presented through an official bank statement. If you are to travel as part of a family or amidst a group of friends and have prepaid accommodation, you can submit the receipt as proof of financial means.
#7. Proof of Accommodation:
You need to provide evidence that certifies where you will stay throughout the visit. For example, if you are going to stay with your host, you will have to provide the location address, name of the host, phone number, and city of accommodation.
Likewise, if you are to lodge in a hotel, you provide a receipt of payment for a hotel reservation. Mind you that the reservation must be valid throughout your visit to the country.
#8. Health travel insurance certificate:
This evidence of travel medical insurance must be valid for your stay in Romania and come from an Internationally recognized organization.
The coverage must be a minimum insured amount of at least €30,000 to cover unforeseen travel, medical risks, and emergencies.
#9. A proof of itinerary schedule:
This is a document indicating your visit schedule to Romania. It shows your Romania entry and exit dates and your flight reservation going and coming back.
The itinerary should contain your PNR and full detail of your information as they appear on your passport biodata page.
You will submit your driving license, vehicle registration, and green card if you are driving there.
#10. Proof of Residency:
This is a document that confirms the residency of your host. It is proof that your host is legally a citizen or permitted to live in Romania territory.
#11. Visa fee Payment Receipt:
This proves that you have paid for the visa application form. Without this document, your visa application processing will be on hold.
Guide on how to apply for a Romanian private visit visa.
How do you apply for a Romanian private visit visa in the most hassle-free way?
Below is a step to follow:
For a Romania private visit visa application, Get an invitation letter:
This is the first thing any applicant for a Romanian private visit visa should do. Your host (family member or a friend) writes this letter, takes it to the IGA for approval and stamping, then sends you a copy.
The copy that is sent to you must be an original copy.
Complete and download the visa application form:
Make sure to put down correct information about yourself on the visa application form to avoid rejection. Then, after submitting the form, print it out and sign it.
You will be submitting it together with other necessary documents.
Schedule an appointment with the embassy:
After filling out the visa form online, you will receive feedback from the embassy concerning your application. If the input is positive, You can go ahead and book a visa appointment with the embassy.
Pay the visa application fee:
Immediately after booking an appointment at your local consulate, proceed to assemble all the required documents as stated in the article.
When you get to the embassy, proceed to make your visa application fee payment. Also, attach the receipt to the documents you are to submit.
Submit Application:
Once the documents are complete and you have made the visa fee payment, you can submit your visa application with the necessary documents and fee payment receipt to the embassy.
After you are done, wait for a response from the embassy. The response from the embassy will determine your next line of action.
Collection of Passport:
If the embassy gives you a positive response, you can go and take your passport. However, if the response I’d negative, you need to find out why and reapply again.
Your visa application is fully assessed within two to fifteen days after the visa appointment. It might exceed the duration. But it depends on 5he embassy and other factors such as; bulk visa applications, incomplete documents, and difficulty in verifying supplied information.
Frequently Asked Question.
Can I work with a private visa in Romania?
The answer is No! An individual who enters Romania with a private visit visa cannot work in Romania nor accept employment.
If you get a job in Romania while still processing your visit visa, halt the process as fast as possible. Then, unfortunately, you have to restart the visa application for a different (work visa) visa.
There is no refund of payment, mind you.
Do I still need an entry visa to Romania besides holding a private visit visa?
Yes, you do! The Romania private visit visa allows you to enter the country for a visit. But without an entry visa, you cannot step foot in its territory nor be able to cross its borders.
But there is nothing to worry about; the application requirement is the same. So you don’t have to go through the rigorous process again.
Is Romania a Schengen country?
No, it is not. The Schengen Area currently has four non-EU countries and the majority of EU countries except Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Croatia.
To this effect, you cannot travel to any Schengen area with a Romanian visa.
Which countries can I enter with the Romania visa?
You can only enter and stay in Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Croatia with a Romanian visa. However, this is only for a minimum period.
Conclusion
The Romania private visit visa is an essential travel visa for family members or friends. So, you need to follow every guideline to acquiring it without stress.
Romania visa is that visa you need to travel and have a good time with your spouse or children and maybe a friend. With the Romania private visit visa, you can see your family and spend time with them for a period longer than 90 days.
