Romania Visa: Application, Types, Requirements and Fees

Are you planning a trip to Romania? If you are, undoubtedly, you will need many items to get started. However, the Romania Visa should be at the top of that list. If you don’t yet have your visa, have you started the application process?

Romania is a country in the Balkan region of Southeastern Europe. Romania is significantly larger in landmass than North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, and most Balkan countries. It is a member of the European Union but not yet part of the Schengen Area. Hence, the travel regulations in this country are a bit different from the standardized regulations across the Schengen Area.

This article will explore Romania’s travel regulations and visa exemptions. We’ll be discussing the different visa options they provide as well. Finally, you’ll get to find the steps to getting yourself a Romania visa.

Romania Visa

A Romania visa is authorization by the government (through their diplomatic missions) to let foreign nationals legally enter the country for a specified period. Some call it a document, but it’s more of a sticker attached to your national identity document and grants you entry.

Romania Visa Exemptions

Technically, every foreign national who wants to visit Romania has to get a visa. However, certain countries have visa-free travel agreements with Romania that allow their citizens to visit Romania without needing a visa. Certain conditions you might fulfill as a third-country national will qualify you for visa-free entry into Romania.

Here is a list of citizens and individual conditions included in the visa exemptions for Romania;

• Individuals that hold double- or multiple-entry short-stay visas, long-stay visas, or residence permits from Schengen member countries, Bulgaria, Cyprus, or Croatia.
• Third-country nationals from EU countries hold long-term residence permits (5 years or more).
• Family members of Romanian citizens, EU/EEA/EFTA citizens, and Swiss Federation citizens.
• Holders of biometric passports from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine: Citizens from these countries who don’t have a biometric passport will need to get a Romanian visa.

If you’re unsure what category you belong to, here are two lists of countries whose nationals need a Romania visa and countries whose nationals don’t need a Romania visa.

Categories of Romania Visa

Romania offers types of visas. However, we can categorize them into four major places by the validity length. They are;

• Air Transit visa (or Type A visa)
• Romania Transit visa (or Type B visa)
• Short-stay visa (or Type C visa)
• Long-stay visa (or Type D visa)

Air Transit Visa

The Romanian Air Transit visa is technically a short-stay visa, the shortest. However, we categorize it separately because of the unique conditions attached. The air transit visa allows holders to stop at Romania’s international airports and switch flights. Therefore, those who use this visa mostly want to stop over in Romania and take a flight to their final destination.

While on this visa, you are not allowed to leave the airport’s international area. In addition to the standard visa exemptions, the following groups are also exempt from the air transit visa;

• Third-country nationals who are flight crew members on duty and are part of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation
• Third-country nationals who hold a residence permit from Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America

In addition to the general requirements for applying for a Romania visa, air transit visa applicants will have to present;

• Documents showing that you intend to continue your journey; flight tickets from your connecting flight in Romania
• Work contract for flight attendants and proof that you are on duty.

Transit Visa

The Romania Type-B visa is also a form of transit visa. Except, in this case, it allows you to transit through Romanian territory for up to five days. Unlike its air counterpart, it also does not restrict you to the international area.

A Romania transit visa can be single or multiple-entry. Still, each time you enter, you cannot exceed five days. The visa exemptions remain the same as the general ones, but the additional requirements for a transit visa are;

• Visa for your destination country.
• Intended route; the states you’ll be transiting through.
• Drivers’ license and registration documents if you’ll be driving your car.
• If you intend to use someone else’s car, you should bring the green card containing the owner’s identification info.

Short-Stay Visa

The Romanian short-stay visa allows foreign nationals to stay come into and remain in Romania for 90 days in 180 days. There are two types of short-stay visas:

• The single-entry short-stay visa, which becomes invalid immediately after you leave Romania, and
• The multiple entry short-stay visas allow you to come and go during the long-term validity, as long as you don’t stay beyond 90 days of every 180

There are various kinds of Short-stay Romania visas based on the reason for entry. They include;

• tourist visa; for tourism
• business visa; for business reasons
• sports visa; for sporting activities
• cultural visa; for cultural, scientific, research, or academic events
• private visit; to visit Romanian citizens or residents
• diplomatic visa; for foreign nationals with diplomatic passports on political assignments
• transportation visa; for transport professionals who come to Romania on official duty

Some of the supporting documents required for short-stay visas include;

• A bank statement shows you have enough to fund your visit and stay
• Itinerary; to show why you’re going, how long you spend, and when you intend to return to your country. You may also need to provide a return ticket
• Hotel booking, Airbnb, or a letter from a Romanian citizen or resident willing to accommodate you

Long-Stay Visa

A Romania long-stay visa is a visa that permits you to enter and stay in Romania for an extended period, usually more than 90 days. However, to stay beyond 90 days, you must apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a temporary residency permit.

Types of long-stay visas based on the reason for travel include;

• student visa
• work/employment visa
• secondment visa
• family reunification visa
• economic visa
• professional visa
• commercial visa
• religious visa
• research/academic visa, etc.

Application Procedure for Romania Visa

The application process for a Romanian visa is not quite as difficult as in most other countries. They made it simple enough by ensuring some of the steps are online. Here are the things you need to do to get yourself a Romania visa;

#1. Fill out the Form Online

As we’ve already stated, the first part of the visa application is online. Because it’s online, you’ll need access to a computer and the internet. The good thing is, if you’re reading this, you most likely already have those down. It would be best if you also had a pdf reader for the document you’ll be using.

Begin here and fill out the form, answering every question factually. You will also need to provide several scanned documents online.

#2. Provide the Necessary Documents

While filling out the form online, you’ll need to provide scanned copies of the Romania visa requirements. All documents you provide must be no more than 2MB and be written in English or Romanian. If they are not, find a professional translator to help, you change them to the right languages.

When you finish the online part of the application, keep your documents together; you will need them again when you visit the embassy for your interview.

#3. Attend Your Interview

When you’re done with your application and submit it, the Romanian embassy will determine whether or not your application is valid. Sometimes, they need a few more documents to be sure, and they notify you via email to upload the necessary documents. When it is done, the application tracker on the portal either says “Valid” or “Invalid.”

When the former is the case, they will also schedule an appointment with you, where you will attend an application interview. Ensure to go with original copies of all the documents you uploaded and the money for your visa fee. You’ll make the payment at the embassy.

#4. Wait for the Verdict

After the interview comes the verdict, approved or denied. You can track the process with the online portal you used in #1 above. If your visa is approved, you can continue with the plans for your trip.

Romania Visa Fees

The Romania visa fees are as follows;

• Airport transit visa, transit visa, and short-stay visa: €80
• Airport transit visa, transit visa, and short-stay visa (for children under 12 years): €40
• Long-stay visa: €120

To EU travel agreements, the following countries’ citizens need only pay €40 to get a Romania visa.

• Albania
• Bosnia
• Russia
• Montenegro
• Ukraine
• Georgia
• Armenia
• Belarus
• Azerbaijan
• Green Cape (€60)

Romania Visa Processing Time

This visa usually takes ten days to two weeks to process. Therefore, while you cannot apply later than two (2) weeks to your intended travel date, you cannot also apply more than three (3) months before.

The usual advice is to apply a month or two before your intended travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. Can I enter the Schengen with Romania visa?

No, you can’t. Romania is not part of the Schengen free-travel agreement yet, so you cannot enter the Schengen with a Romania visa.

#2. Is it easy to get Romania visa?

Getting a Romania visa is a relatively straightforward process. This is true, especially when you can complete the first half of the application procedure online and also track the progress.

#3. Can I stay in Romania for more than 90 days?

If you wish to stay in Romania beyond 90 days, get a long-stay visa, except if you’re an EU/EEA/EFTA citizen. You’ll also need a temporary residency permit, regardless of nationality.

#4. Can I enter Romania with Schengen Visa?

Yes, you can. The Romanian authorities trust the Schengen visa application process. Hence, they allow holders of the Schengen visa to come into Romania.

#5. Can I work in Romania as a foreign national?

Foreign nationals are allowed to work in Romania. However, they must find work first, then apply for a Romania work visa.

Conclusion

You can enjoy the best of the Balkan by visiting or relocating to this beautiful country on the Peninsula. However, the first step to doing it all, working, studying, touring, or whatever it is you want, is to apply for a Romania visa.