Romania – Visas

Do I need a visa to move to Romania?

Your nationality and the length of your intended stay are the two key factors that determine whether you need a visa. Romania formally joined the Schengen Area on 31 March 2024, making it one of 29 countries in that zone. This shift has notable implications for visitors worldwide: nationals of countries that hold a visa-exemption agreement with the EU may travel to Romania without a visa, while others must obtain a Schengen visa for short-term visits.

Citizens of EU and EEA member states, along with Swiss nationals, do not require a visa to cross into Romania. They do, however, need to present a valid national passport or an identity document recognised by the Romanian state. Stays on Romanian territory cannot exceed three months without further action; after that threshold, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens must register their residence with the territorial offices of the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI).

American passport holders already benefit from visa-free access to Romania and may remain for up to 90 days for tourism or business, provided their passport is valid for at least three months beyond the date of arrival. Many other nationalities enjoy comparable short-stay access under EU bilateral agreements. A complete overview of which nationalities require a visa and which do not can be found on the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI).

Regardless of whether a short visit is visa-free, anyone who wishes to reside, work, study, or settle in Romania for more than 90 days must secure a long-stay visa (Type D) before travelling. Any foreign national intending to remain beyond 90 days must obtain either a residence permit or — in the case of EU citizens — register their residence. Entry requirements differ by nationality, so readers should verify their circumstances directly with Romania’s official immigration authorities.

What types of visa are available for people moving to Romania?

Romania issues two broad categories of visa: a short-stay uniform Schengen visa permitting a maximum of 90 days in the country, and a long-stay visa that opens the door to extended residence. For those planning a permanent relocation, the long-stay Type D visa is the indispensable starting point, and it is issued in several sub-categories reflecting the applicant’s specific reason for moving.

Work visa (D/AM or D/DT): The Romanian employer must first apply to the General Inspectorate for Immigration for a work permit on behalf of the foreign national; once this is approved, the applicant receives an official confirmation letter and may then apply for the long-stay work visa (D/AM) at a Romanian consulate. This structure — in which employer sponsorship must be established before any visa application can be lodged — is broadly comparable to employer-sponsored immigration systems in other countries. Foreign nationals may only engage in professional activity on Romanian territory if they hold a Work Notice or a Work Permit.

Digital nomad visa (D/ND): Introduced in January 2022 under Law 22/2022, the Romanian Digital Nomad Visa created a dedicated long-stay category for remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs whose income derives from businesses or clients located outside Romania. Non-EU/EEA nationals who work remotely for a foreign-registered company, or who own a business incorporated abroad, are eligible to apply, subject to meeting income thresholds, health insurance requirements, and proof of accommodation. The visa is initially valid for 12 months.

Family reunification visa (D/VF): This visa category enables non-EU nationals to join a family member who is already lawfully resident in Romania. It is one of the most frequently used long-stay routes for partners and children of people already established in the country. The sponsoring resident must hold qualifying immigration status and show adequate financial means to support each dependant.

Study visa (D/SD): Foreign nationals accepted by an accredited Romanian educational institution may apply for a long-stay study visa. The initial Type D student visa is typically issued for up to 90 days; after arriving in Romania, students must apply for a temporary residence permit for study purposes, which is ordinarily valid for one academic year and may be renewed annually for the duration of the course.

Investor/commercial activity visa (D/AC): This category is designed for third-country nationals who intend to operate as self-employed individuals or invest in a Romanian business entity. Obtaining the long-stay visa is only the first step; applicants must also comply with all other legal requirements governing the establishment and operation of a business in Romania.

Romania does not offer a dedicated retirement visa in the way that certain other countries do — Portugal’s D7 passive income visa, for example — but retirees with sufficient financial means may be able to apply under an appropriate long-stay category. The definitive and current list of Type D sub-categories and their eligibility criteria can be found on the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa page.

How do I apply for a visa for Romania?

Applying for a Romanian long-stay (Type D) visa involves both an online component and a mandatory in-person visit to a Romanian diplomatic mission. Applications cannot be submitted by post or through a third-party agency alone; the applicant must appear at a Romanian embassy or consulate in their country of residence. The general procedure is as follows:

1. Determine your visa category. Identify which Type D sub-category applies to your circumstances — work, family reunification, study, digital nomad, and so on. If you are applying for a work visa, your Romanian employer must first obtain a work permit from the IGI before you can proceed with the visa application.
2. Complete the online application form. Access the official Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-visa portal at evisa.mae.ro, create an account, enter all personal details precisely as they appear on your official documents, and upload scanned copies of all required supporting materials.
3. Print and sign your application. Once you have submitted the online form, print the confirmation page together with the generated application form. The signed hard copy must be brought to your consular appointment.
4. Book an appointment at your nearest Romanian embassy or consulate. Applicants based in the United States should contact the Romanian Embassy in Washington D.C. or the relevant consulate — for example, in New York or Los Angeles, depending on their jurisdictional area. Those in the United Kingdom should contact the Romanian Embassy in London. Applicants elsewhere should identify the nearest Romanian diplomatic mission through the full list available on the MAE website.
5. Attend your consulate appointment in person. Bring your signed application form, your original passport, all supporting documents, and evidence of fee payment. A formal interview is not always required, though consular staff may request one if further clarification is needed.
6. Await a decision. The National Visa Centre within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may seek an opinion from the General Inspectorate for Immigration when processing certain applications. For long-stay visa categories, inter-agency consultation may extend the processing timeline depending on the nature of the application.
7. Enter Romania and register with the IGI. Registration with the Romanian Immigration Office (IGI) is mandatory for all long-stay visa holders upon arrival. You must then apply for a residence permit — the document that formally authorises your stay beyond the initial 90-day visa entry period.

Contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) website or your nearest consulate to arrange an appointment and confirm the latest requirements before you begin.

What documents do I need to apply for a visa for Romania?

The precise documents required depend on which Type D sub-category you are applying for, but a standard set is demanded across almost all long-stay visa applications. The table below outlines the core requirements, followed by notes on category-specific additions.

Every document submitted with a Romanian visa application must either be in Romanian or be accompanied by a notarised translation into Romanian — this is a firm and non-negotiable requirement. Translations must be produced by an authorised or certified translator. Documents originating in countries that are party to the Hague Convention require an apostille, while documents from non-signatory states may need full legalisation. Collect all necessary documents well in advance, and confirm that apostilles and translations are complete before attending your consular appointment.

For a work visa, you will additionally need the work permit issued by the IGI on your behalf by your employer, your employment contract, and proof of accommodation in Romania. For a digital nomad visa, applicants must supply evidence of remote employment or business ownership outside Romania, proof of financial self-sufficiency, private health insurance, proof of accommodation, and a criminal record certificate. For a family reunification visa, the IGI approval letter from the sponsoring resident in Romania is essential — Romanian embassies are unable to process this visa category without it.

Always refer to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the IGI website for the authoritative and up-to-date document checklist applicable to your specific visa sub-category, as requirements can change.

How long does a visa application for Romania take to process?

How quickly a visa application is decided depends on the visa type, the specific consulate receiving it, whether the documents submitted are complete, and whether the case requires referral to the IGI for an inter-agency opinion. Applicants are strongly advised to begin the process well ahead of their intended travel date.

Short-stay (Schengen, Type C) visa applications are typically processed within 10 to 30 days (as of 2025). Long-stay Type D visa applications generally take several months to resolve, and additional documentation may be requested, particularly for roles in sectors considered sensitive (as of 2025). Under the updated digital visa application system, processing times have been reduced to 15–30 days for most visa types (as of 2025), though applications involving employer work permits or other multi-stage approvals may take considerably longer from start to finish.

Where the IGI must be consulted regarding a short-stay visa, that body is required to issue its opinion within seven working days of receiving the request; in well-justified circumstances, this deadline may be extended by a further seven working days (as of 2024).

Family reunification applications involve two distinct phases: the IGI is required to resolve the sponsor’s request within three months of the submission date (as of 2024). Once the sponsor receives approval and forwards it to the family member abroad, that person has 60 days to present the document to the relevant diplomatic mission and lodge their long-stay visa application. Following arrival in Romania, the application for a residence permit will be resolved within 30 days of submission (as of 2024).

For residence permit applications submitted after initial entry on a Type D visa, processing typically takes between 30 and 90 days (as of 2025). As a general guide, start your application at least two to three months before your planned departure — and for work-related routes that require prior employer permit applications, even earlier. Current processing time estimates are published on the IGI website.

How much does it cost to apply for a visa for Romania?

Romanian visa fees are set by the government and may be revised periodically. Always confirm the current applicable fees with the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country of residence before submitting your application.

Fees may differ from the standard rates in certain cases owing to bilateral agreements between Romania and other countries. It is worth checking whether any such arrangement between your home country and Romania affects what you will be charged before you apply.

In addition to the visa fee itself, applicants should anticipate a range of ancillary costs that are routinely associated with the application process:

• Document translation: All documents not already in Romanian must be translated by an authorised translator. Costs vary according to country, language, and document complexity.
• Apostille or legalisation fees: Depending on your country of origin, official documents must be apostilled or fully legalised before submission; the relevant issuing authority will charge a fee for this service.
• Medical/health insurance: Digital nomad visa applicants must hold valid private health insurance covering medical treatment and hospitalisation for their entire intended stay. A comparable level of comprehensive health cover is required across most Type D categories. Annual premiums vary considerably depending on the provider and level of coverage chosen.
• Legal or immigration adviser fees: Although not a mandatory expense, many applicants — particularly those navigating work or business visa routes — choose to engage an immigration lawyer or specialist adviser. These fees are entirely optional but can be substantial.
• Residence permit fee: A separate fee is payable to the IGI when applying for your residence permit card after arrival. The current amount is published on the IGI website.

Can my family members join me in Romania on a visa?

Romania operates a structured family reunification framework that allows close relatives to join a legally resident person in the country. The applicable rules vary slightly depending on whether the sponsoring resident is a Romanian citizen, an EU/EEA citizen, or a non-EU national with a residence permit.

Non-EU/EEA nationals can apply for family reunification only if they hold a temporary residence permit valid for at least one year, an EU Blue Card, an ICT permit, a Mobile ICT permit, or a long-term residence permit, or if they have been recognised as a refugee or beneficiary of subsidiary protection. This means that newly arrived expats ordinarily need to consolidate their own status in Romania — typically for at least one year — before they can initiate the process of bringing over family members.

As a sponsor, you may request family reunification for your spouse, your unmarried minor children, or those of your spouse — including adopted children in your or your spouse’s care. First-degree ascendants (parents) may also be included if they are unable to support themselves financially and cannot rely on adequate family support in their country of origin. Unmarried adult children who cannot support themselves for medical reasons may similarly be included.

The process unfolds in two stages. The sponsoring resident in Romania first applies to the IGI for a family reunification approval; once this has been granted, the family members abroad apply for the Type D visa at the relevant consulate. Financially, the sponsor must demonstrate proof of the family relationship, suitable accommodation in Romania, health coverage, and financial means at least equivalent to the national gross minimum wage for each family member (as of 2025). The required amount per family member corresponds to the minimum economic base salary (as of 2024). The current salary threshold is published on the IGI family reunification page.

Once approved, family members receive a residence permit entitling them to live in Romania on a long-term basis and to access everyday services including healthcare, education, and, in many cases, the labour market. Family members may enrol in any form of education by following the standard procedures and rules applicable to Romanian citizens. Residence permits for family members are extended individually for a maximum of up to five years at a time (as of 2024).

Where the sponsoring resident is an EU/EEA citizen, non-EU family members follow a somewhat different route: they must submit the required documentation to obtain a residence card, which can take up to 90 days to be issued, is valid for up to five years, and in any case cannot exceed the duration of the EU/EEA citizen’s own stay in Romania.

Can I extend my visa or apply for permanent residence in Romania?

The standard Romanian immigration pathway moves from a Type D long-stay visa through a series of temporary residence permit renewals and ultimately towards a long-term (permanent) residence permit — with the possibility of citizenship for those who meet additional requirements further down the line.

After entering Romania on a Type D visa, holders must register with the IGI and apply for a temporary residence permit before the initial 90-day visa entry period comes to an end. The long-stay Type D visa entitles its holder to reside in Romania for that initial 90-day period; this can be extended by lodging a request with the General Inspectorate for Immigration at least 30 days before the visa expires. The extension takes the form of a residence permit, issued by the Inspectorate General for Immigration and subject to the submission of various supporting documents.

Temporary residence permits are tied to the stated purpose of the stay — whether work, study, family reunification, or another qualifying category — and must be renewed on a periodic basis. To qualify for an extension, applicants must demonstrate a valid ongoing reason for remaining in Romania and provide evidence that they have sufficient financial means to sustain themselves throughout the extended period.

After sufficient lawful residence, it becomes possible to apply for long-term (permanent) residence. To qualify, an applicant must have resided continuously in Romania for the preceding five years; continuity is maintained provided absences from Romanian territory do not exceed six consecutive months and do not total more than ten months in the five-year period. The long-term residence permit is valid for ten years where the holder is a family member of a Romanian citizen, and for five years in all other qualifying circumstances.

A permanent residence permit does not require renewal but must be updated every five years (as of 2025). It is also possible, after the required period of lawful residence, to apply for Romanian citizenship, subject to additional conditions including language competency. Romania generally permits dual nationality, which distinguishes it from some other EU member states. For current rules on both long-term residence and naturalisation, consult the IGI long-term residence page.

What are the most common reasons visa applications for Romania are refused?

Knowing why applications are rejected is just as valuable as understanding how to submit them correctly. Romanian immigration authorities examine applications carefully, and certain grounds for refusal appear with notable frequency.

• Incomplete documentation. Missing paperwork is the single most common cause of delays and outright refusals. Submitting an incomplete file — whether due to an absent translation, an un-apostilled certificate, or an unsigned form — is one of the most frequent yet entirely avoidable reasons for a negative outcome.
• Insufficient proof of financial means. Applicants who cannot demonstrate adequate resources to cover their living costs during their stay are regularly turned down. Showing €500–1,000 per month as a baseline indication of financial stability is advisable (as of 2025). For the digital nomad visa, the income threshold is considerably higher.
• Untranslated or improperly certified documents. All documents must be translated into Romanian — notarised or apostilled depending on the country of issue — and files that are incomplete or contain untranslated materials remain the most frequent cause of visa processing delays (as of 2025).
• Failure to demonstrate a genuine qualifying purpose. Applicants who cannot clearly establish the lawful basis for their long stay will not succeed. A work visa applicant without a valid employer-obtained work permit, or a family reunification applicant without an IGI approval letter, does not meet the foundational requirements for the relevant category.
• Criminal record issues. Anyone applying for a residence permit who appears on a list of persons subject to a ban on entering Romania, who has been declared undesirable, or who represents a threat to national defence, security, public order, health, or public morals will have their application refused.
• Marriage of convenience. A long-stay family reunification visa may be denied if the application is based on a marriage of convenience as determined under Romanian legal provisions, or if a situation of bigamy or polygamy is established.

If your application is refused, the Romanian authorities are obliged to inform you of their reasons in writing. For long-stay visa refusals, the applicant must be notified in writing of the grounds for rejection. Depending on the specific reasons given, it may be possible to reapply with a more complete file, to address the particular deficiency identified, or to seek advice from a qualified immigration lawyer. Note that a refusal to extend the period of validity of a short-stay visa cannot be challenged by way of appeal. For long-stay refusals, a legal adviser can advise whether an administrative challenge is available in your particular situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do EU citizens need to do anything special to live in Romania long term?

If your stay in Romania exceeds three months, residence registration is required at the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) in the county where you live. As an EU/EEA citizen, you submit a request for a registration certificate, which is issued on the same day of your request and is valid between one and five years. This is a straightforward administrative process rather than a complex visa application, but it is legally required.

Does Romania now issue Schengen visas?

Romania issues uniform (Schengen) visas from 31 March 2024; these visas allow travel to the Schengen area for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This means a Romanian short-stay visa now gives access to the wider Schengen zone, not just Romania. Long-stay Type D visas remain national visas governed by Romanian law.

Can I work in Romania on a tourist or short-stay visa?

No. Short-stay or visa-free entry does not grant the right to work. The professional activity of foreign citizens on Romanian territory can only be carried out with a Work Notice or a Work Permit, and foreign citizens who wish to conduct professional activities in Romania must request a long-term visa. Working without the correct authorisation can result in fines, deportation, and future entry bans.

What is the income requirement for the Romania digital nomad visa?

Applicants must prove they have a steady income from outside Romania sufficient to support themselves; the monthly income must be at least three times the average gross salary in Romania. As of 2025, this means applicants should show a minimum monthly income of approximately €3,700. This threshold is updated annually, so always verify the current figure with the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before applying.

How long does it take to become a permanent resident in Romania?

In order to obtain the long-term right to stay, you must have had a continuous stay in Romania during the last five years. Certain periods — such as time spent on a seasonal worker visa or short-stay visa — may not count towards this total, and study periods count at half their actual duration. Consult the IGI long-term residence page for the full list of qualifying and excluded periods.

Can I bring my parents to Romania under family reunification?

First-degree relatives in the ascending line (parents) can come on the basis of family reunification if they cannot provide for themselves and do not enjoy proper family support in their home country. This is not automatic — the sponsor must meet the qualifying residence requirements and demonstrate sufficient financial means, and the IGI must approve the application before the parent can apply for a visa. For the full eligibility conditions, consult the IGI family reunification page.

Do documents need to be translated into Romanian for a visa application?

All documents submitted for the visa application must be in Romanian or accompanied by a notarised translation into Romanian. Translations must generally be carried out by an authorised translator. Documents may also require apostilling or legalisation depending on the country of issue. This applies to all Type D visa applications, not just student visas. Budget time and cost for this step early in your preparation.

Where can I find the official information about visas and entry to Romania?

The two primary official sources are the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), which oversees visa issuance and publishes the full list of visa categories and consular offices, and the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), which manages residence permits, work authorisations, and family reunification. For country-specific application procedures, consult the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Visa rules are subject to change, and it is always advisable to consult a qualified immigration lawyer for complex or high-stakes applications.