Your Go-To Romania Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Are you planning a trip to Romania and unsure about the visa process? We’re here to help.

This guide will help you understand the essentials of obtaining a Romania visa, whether you're traveling for leisure, work, or as a digital nomad.

We'll walk you through the steps and give helpful tips to ensure your application is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Do I need a visa to go to Romania?

It depends on a few things: your nationality, the reason you’re visiting, and how long you plan to stay.

Citizens from visa-exempt countries do not need a visa, provided their stay is for tourism or business and does not exceed 90 days. If the trip does exceed 90 days, a Romania visa will be needed. Visa-exempt countries include the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and others.

Everyone else needs a visa. If you're not from a visa-exempt country, you will need a visa to go to Romania, regardless of the reason for your stay or the duration of your trip. This includes China, Russia, India, and more.

Do US citizens need a visa for Romania?

US citizens do not need a visa for short stays in Romania of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If you’re traveling for tourism, family visits, or short business trips, you’re all set. However, if you plan to stay longer or work in Romania, you'll need to apply for a Romania work visa.

How do I apply for a Romania visa?

Applying for a Romania visa is a fairly straightforward process.

• First, you need to determine what type of visa you need based on your reason for visiting (the vast majority of visas are Romania tourist visas, or visitor visas).
• Next, you must gather all of the necessary documents. Your visa center or consulate will provide you with a list of which documents you’ll need to include.
• Next, you will book an appointment at a Romanian consulate or visa center in your country of residence. Sometimes applying through a trusted visa processor is mandatory.
• Attend the visa appointment where you’ll submit your completed application and biometrics (fingerprints).
• Receive an answer!

Is a Romania visa difficult to get?

For most applicants, obtaining a Romania visa is a relatively straightforward process. When it comes to whether or not your visa application will be approved, it’s entirely in the hands of the Romanian Embassy.

What is the processing time for a Romania visa?

The processing time varies depending on the type of visa, but short-stay (Type C) visas are generally processed within 10–15 working days. Long-stay (Type D) visas may take longer (weeks, or even months). This is one of the reasons it’s so important to start your visa application process well ahead of your trip.

Romania visa application requirements

Understanding the required documents is crucial when applying for a Romanian visa. Requirements vary depending on the type of visa you’re applying for, but all Romania visa applications will require a few standard, essential documents.

Which documents are required when applying for a Romania visa?

The standard documents for all Romania visa applications include:

• A valid passport
• Completed Schengen visa application form
• Passport-sized photos
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or an invitation letter)
• Proof of financial means (bank statements or payslips)
• Travel medical insurance (that meets the minimum requirements laid out by the Schengen zone)
  

What are the Romania visa requirements for specific visas?

Romania visitor visa requirements

For tourists traveling to Romania, you’ll need to provide all of the standard documents listed above.

Type D (long-stay) Romania visa requirements

Long-stay visas, sometimes referred to as “national visas” require additional documentation that depends on which visa you’re applying for, like proof of employment for a work visa or university acceptance for a study visa.

Does Romania have a digital nomad visa?

Remote workers will be happy to learn that Romania offers a digital nomad visa! In order to qualify, you’ll need:

• To work for a company registered outside of Romania
• Make an income of at least three times the average gross monthly salary in Romania for each of the last six months preceding the date of submission of the visa application and for the entire period covered by the visa

According to the Romanian MOFA, you’ll be required to provide:

• An official translation of your work contract into Romanian alongside the original work contract.
• A letter of intent (with an official translation into Romanian).
• An official, original document proving you have paid your taxes up to the date of your visa application submission, as well as an official translation in Romanian.
• With proof that you have not committed tax fraud or evasion.
• An official criminal record certificate (with an official Romanian translation).
• Additional supporting documents as requested.
• The essential/standard documents listed above on this page.

Do I need to apply for ETIAS if I have a Romania visa?

No. If you have a valid Romania visa, you do not need to obtain ETIAS authorization. Additionally, if you hold a passport from a Schengen country, you also do not need ETIAS to travel to Romania.

Who needs ETIAS to visit Romania?

Any traveler who doesn’t have a valid Romania/Schengen visa must obtain ETIAS in order to enter the country from 2025 on.

Is Romania part of the Schengen zone?

Yes! Romania is a member of the Schengen area. Thanks to this, your Romania Schengen visa allows you to travel from Romania to Bulgaria, Hungary, or anywhere else in the Schengen zone.

Does my Romanian visa allow me to travel through the Schengen zone?

Yes! With your Romanian visa, you can travel freely through the Schengen area without needing to obtain additional visas.

Keep in mind that there may be some exceptions. Always check your specific visa’s validity before confirming travel plans.

Can I go anywhere in Europe with a Romanian visa?

No, a Romania visa only permits travel within the Schengen area. With that being said, the majority of European countries are Schengen area members.

Romania visas: Key takeaways

• There are different types of Romania visas depending on your travels.
• Each visa type has different requirements.
• Romania is a member of the Schengen area.
• To apply for a Romania visa, you must show proof of accommodation, flights, and funds to support yourself during your stay.
• To apply, you must provide proof of Schengen-compliant travel insurance at the time of your appointment.
• Processing times for Romania visas vary, but it’s typically around 15 business days for short-stay visas. However, appointments can book weeks to months in advance, so it’s best to start the process well ahead of your departure date.
• In the coming years, you’ll be able to apply for a Romania visa online with EU VAP.
• If you have a valid Romania visa, you do not need ETIAS.
• If you are a citizen of a Schengen country, you do not need ETIAS to travel to Romania.
• Some visas allow you to work on Romanian soil, others do not.
• Romania offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers.