Romania Visa Application Guide (2026)

Applying for a Romanian visa usually involves online file creation through the Romania e-Visa Portal and in-person submission or verification at the selected Romanian diplomatic mission, consular office or authorised visa application centre, where applicable.

Step 1: Determine Your Visa Type

Before applying, determine which Romanian visa category applies to your travel purpose and length of stay:

Type C (Short-Stay Schengen Visa): Tourism, business, medical treatment, family visits or other permitted short-stay purposes for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Type D (Long-Stay National Visa): Entry into Romania for purposes such as work, study, family reunification or research where the intended stay exceeds 90 days. The long-stay visa is generally granted for up to 90 days and may allow the holder to apply in Romania for an extension of the right of stay and a residence permit, where eligible.
Type A (Airport Transit Visa): Transit through the international transit area of a Romanian airport without entering the Schengen area, where an airport transit visa is required.

Check Visa Eligibility Requirements (2026) before submitting your application.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application Form

Romanian visa applications are generally initiated online via the official Romania e-Visa Portal, which allows applicants to create and send a visa application file to the selected Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office.
You will be required to:

Create a user account on the eVisa platform.
Select your visa category and purpose of travel.
Enter your personal, travel, and contact details accurately.
Upload digital copies of supporting documents (passport, photo, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, etc.).

Once the online file is complete, send it through the Romania e-Visa Portal to the selected Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office and follow the instructions received for appointment booking, in-person lodging and document verification.

Step 3: Book an Appointment

After submitting your online file, you may need to book an appointment for in-person lodging, biometric enrolment where required, and document verification. Follow the instructions of the selected Romanian diplomatic mission, consular office or authorised visa application centre.
Appointments can be scheduled through:

The Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office responsible for your place of legal residence, or
An authorised visa application centre, where available and instructed by the competent Romanian mission.

Bring printed copies of your online application confirmation and supporting documents to the appointment.

Step 4: Prepare and Submit Documents

Applicants must present the required original documents and copies that meet the requirements of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the selected Romanian mission and, for short-stay visas, the Schengen visa rules.
For a full checklist, refer to Visa Documents Required (2026).

Documents issued in another language may need to be translated into Romanian or another language accepted by the competent Romanian authority, and may need to be apostilled, legalised or notarised depending on the document type and country of issue.
Financial proof (bank statements, employment letters) should cover at least the previous three months.
All supporting documentation must be clear and legible.

Step 5: Attend Your Visa Appointment

During your appointment:

Provide biometric data, where required, including fingerprints and a photograph.
Submit your original documents and application form.
Pay the applicable visa fee (cash, card, or bank transfer, depending on location).
Receive any file reference, receipt or tracking information provided by the Romanian mission, consular office or authorised visa application centre.

Step 6: Wait for Processing

Visa processing times depend on your nationality and visa type:

Short-stay Schengen visas: normally 15 calendar days after an admissible application is lodged. This may be extended up to 45 calendar days if further examination or additional documents are required.
Long-stay national visas: processing times depend on the visa purpose and Romanian national procedure. Long-stay visa applications are commonly decided within 60 days, depending on the case; employment and secondment applications may be decided within 20 days from submission where the relevant conditions are met.

You can access or check your online visa application file through the Romania e-Visa Portal using the details provided by the system. If an authorised visa application centre is used, a separate tracking service may be available depending on the provider and location.

Step 7: Receive Your Decision

Once a decision has been made:

If approved: a visa sticker will be placed in your passport showing the visa type, validity dates, number of entries, territorial validity and permitted duration of stay.
If refused: you will receive a written decision stating the reasons for refusal and information on whether and how you can appeal or seek review under the applicable Schengen or Romanian national rules.

See Visa Refusal Reasons (2026) for more information.

Step 8: After Arrival in Romania

If you hold a long-stay (Type D) visa and need to remain in Romania beyond the stay granted by the visa, you must apply to the General Inspectorate for Immigration for an extension of the right of stay and a residence permit at least 30 days before the expiry of the right of stay granted by the visa.
Short-stay Schengen visa holders (Type C) must comply with the validity, number of entries and duration of stay shown on the visa sticker and must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area.

Application Tips for 2026

For short-stay Schengen visas, apply no earlier than 6 months before the intended visit and generally at least 15 calendar days before travel. Seafarers may apply up to 9 months before travel. For long-stay visas, check the Romanian national rules and the instructions of the competent Romanian mission.
Ensure your passport or travel document was issued within the last 10 years, is valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen area for short-stay visa applications, and has at least two blank pages.
Provide consistent and verifiable documentation, discrepancies can delay processing.
Always keep a copy of your submitted application and receipts.

Where to Apply

Romanian visa applications can be submitted through:

The Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office responsible for your place of legal residence.
Authorised visa application centres, where available and instructed by the competent Romanian mission.
Another diplomatic mission or consular office representing Romania, where official representation arrangements apply.

Related Guidance

About This Page

Author: Visa Applications Editorial Team.
Reviewed by: Michael Gibbons, Regulated Immigration Adviser.
Last Updated: 11 June 2026.

Posted: 16th September 2025