A Romania short-stay visitor visa, also known as a Schengen visa, grants non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals the right to enter Romania for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, for reasons such as tourism, business, visiting family or friends, cultural or sports events, and medical treatment, among others. The short-stay visa can be issued with one or multiple entries, depending on the needs of the visa holder.

It is important to note that the short-stay visa does not grant the holder the right to work in Romania or any other Schengen country. If you wish to work or study in Romania, you will need to apply for a different type of visa or residence permit that allows you to do so. Additionally, you must have a valid travel document, proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay, and travel medical insurance covering medical emergencies and repatriation.

What is a Short-stay visa?

If you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to enter Romania for a short period of time, you will need to apply for a Romania short-stay visa. This type of visa allows you to request entry into Romanian territory for purposes other than immigration, and it allows for a stay of up to 90 days within any period of 180 days.

To obtain a Romania short-stay visa, you will need to submit a visa application at the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Your application will need to include a valid travel document, such as a passport, proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay, and travel medical insurance covering medical emergencies and repatriation.

The purpose of your visit can vary and may include tourism, business, visiting family or friends, cultural or sports events, and medical treatment, among others.

Type of Short short-stay visa

• The short-stay visa for official missions (marked C/M)
• The short-stay visa for tourism (marked C/TU)
• The short-stay visa for private visits (marked C/VV)
• The short-stay visa for business trips (marked C/A)
• The short-stay visa for transport (marked C/TR)
• The short-stay visa for sports (marked C/SP)
• The short-stay visa for cultural, scientific and humanitarian activities, as well as short-term medical treatment or any other activities that do not breach Romanian laws (marked C/ZA)

The short-stay visa for official missions (marked C/M)

Romania issues a type of short-stay visa known as a visa for official purposes, which is intended for third-country nationals and their family members who need to travel to Romania for reasons related to their political, administrative, or public positions. This type of visa is also issued to individuals who have an interest in the relations between Romania and their state of origin.

Visa for official purposes is issued to third-country nationals who hold official positions in governments, public administrations, or international organizations. This may include diplomats, civil servants, and employees of international organizations. The visa may also be issued to individuals who have a business or professional interest in Romania, such as investors or entrepreneurs, as long as their visit is deemed to be of interest to the relations between Romania and their state of origin.

The application process for a visa for official purposes is similar to that of a regular short-stay visa. The applicant must submit their application to the Romanian embassy or consulate in their country of residence and provide the necessary documentation, including a valid travel document, proof of sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay, and a letter from their employer or the relevant authority explaining the purpose of their visit.

The short-stay visa for tourism (marked C/TU)

Romania issues a type of short-stay visa known as a tourist visa, which is intended for third-country nationals who wish to travel to Romania for tourism purposes. This type of visa allows the holder to stay in Romania for a period of up to 90 days within any period of 180 days.

To apply for a Romanian tourist visa, the applicant must submit their application to the Romanian embassy or consulate in their country of residence. The application must include a valid travel document, such as a passport, proof of sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay, and travel medical insurance covering medical emergencies and repatriation.

Additionally, the applicant must provide evidence of their intended tourist activities in Romania, such as accommodation reservations, itinerary, or invitation from a Romanian travel agency. It is also necessary to provide proof of paid return travel tickets or enough funds to purchase them.

It is important to note that a Romanian tourist visa does not allow the holder to work or engage in business activities while in Romania. If the purpose of the visit is for business or professional reasons, the applicant should apply for a different type of short-stay visa, such as a business visa.

The short-stay visa for private visits (marked C/VV)

Romania issues a type of short-stay visa known as a visitor visa, which is intended for third-country nationals who wish to travel to Romania for private visits upon invitations from Romanian citizens or third-country nationals who hold a valid Romanian residence permit. This type of visa allows the holder to stay in Romania for a period of up to 90 days within any period of 180 days.

To apply for a Romanian visitor visa, the applicant must submit their application to the Romanian embassy or consulate in their country of residence. The application must include a valid travel document, such as a passport, proof of sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay, and a letter of invitation from the Romanian citizen or the third-country national who holds a valid Romanian residence permit.

The letter of invitation must include the personal details of the inviting person, the purpose and duration of the visit, the relationship between the applicant and the inviting person, and the guarantee of financial support and accommodation during the applicant's stay in Romania.

It is also necessary to provide proof of paid return travel tickets or enough funds to purchase them. The applicant may be required to provide additional documents, depending on the specific circumstances of their visit.

It is important to note that a Romanian visitor visa does not allow the holder to work or engage in business activities while in Romania.

The short-stay visa for business trips (marked C/A)

Romania issues a type of short-stay visa known as a business visa, which is intended for third-country nationals who wish to travel to Romania for economic or commercial purposes, such as for contracts or negotiations, to install, make operational or check the use and functioning of goods acquired through commercial contracts and through contracts of industrial cooperation, for training of staff in view of the aforementioned actions, and for third-country nationals who are or are bound to become associates or shareholders within companies from Romania.

This type of visa allows the holder to stay in Romania for a period of up to 90 days within any period of 180 days.

To apply for a Romanian business visa, the applicant must submit their application to the Romanian embassy or consulate in their country of residence. The application must include a valid travel document, such as a passport, proof of sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay, and a letter from the inviting company or organization in Romania, explaining the purpose of the visit and the expected duration of stay.

The applicant may be required to provide additional documents, such as proof of employment, business registration documents, tax returns, or financial statements. It is also necessary to provide proof of paid return travel tickets or enough funds to purchase them.

It is important to note that a Romanian business visa does not allow the holder to work or engage in business activities other than those specified in the visa application while in Romania. If the purpose of the visit is for other reasons, such as tourism or private visits, the applicant should apply for a different type of short-stay visa, such as a tourist or visitor visa.

The short-stay visa for transport (marked C/TR)

Romania issues a type of short-stay visa known as a transport visa, which is intended for third-country nationals who wish to travel to Romania for short periods of time in order to carry out professional activities related to cargo and passenger transportation. This type of visa allows the holder to stay in Romania for a period of up to 90 days within any period of 180 days.

To apply for a Romanian transport visa, the applicant must submit their application to the Romanian embassy or consulate in their country of residence. The application must include a valid travel document, such as a passport, proof of sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay, and a letter from the inviting company or organization in Romania, explaining the purpose of the visit and the expected duration of stay.

The applicant may be required to provide additional documents, such as proof of employment, business registration documents, tax returns, or financial statements. It is also necessary to provide proof of paid return travel tickets or enough funds to purchase them.

It is important to note that a Romanian transport visa does not allow the holder to work or engage in business activities other than those related to cargo and passenger transportation while in Romania. If the purpose of the visit is for other reasons, such as tourism or private visits, the applicant should apply for a different type of short-stay visa.

The short-stay visa for sports (marked C/SP)

Romania issues a type of short-stay visa known as a sports visa, which is intended for third-country nationals who wish to travel to Romania for a limited period of time in order to participate in occasional sports events. This type of visa allows the holder to stay in Romania for a period of up to 90 days within any period of 180 days.

To apply for a Romanian sports visa, the applicant must submit their application to the Romanian embassy or consulate in their country of residence. The application must include a valid travel document, such as a passport, proof of sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay, and a letter from the inviting sports club or organization in Romania, explaining the purpose of the visit and the expected duration of stay.

The applicant may be required to provide additional documents, such as proof of participation in the sports event, proof of medical insurance, and a criminal record certificate. It is also necessary to provide proof of paid return travel tickets or enough funds to purchase them.

The short-stay visa for cultural, scientific and humanitarian activities, as well as short-term medical treatment or any other activities that do not breach Romanian laws (marked C/ZA)

Romania issues a type of short-stay visa known as a general visa, which is intended for third-country nationals who wish to travel to Romania for various reasons, as long as their presence on the territory of Romania is justified. This type of visa allows the holder to stay in Romania for a period of up to 90 days within any period of 180 days.

The general visa is issued to applicants who wish to travel to Romania for reasons that do not fall under the specific categories of visas, such as tourism, business, sports, or cultural events. This could include a wide range of purposes, such as attending a conference, visiting family or friends, or pursuing educational or research activities.

To apply for a Romanian general visa, the applicant must submit their application to the Romanian embassy or consulate in their country of residence. The application must include a valid travel document, such as a passport, proof of sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay, and any additional documents that are relevant to their purpose of travel.

The applicant may be required to provide additional documents, such as proof of accommodation, medical insurance, or a criminal record certificate. It is also necessary to provide proof of paid return travel tickets or enough funds to purchase them.

It is important to note that a Romanian general visa does not allow the holder to work or engage in business activities while in Romania, unless such activities are specifically authorized by the Romanian authorities.

Entry into Romanian territory may be authorized to foreigners who fulfill the these criteria:

Foreigners who wish to enter Romanian territory must fulfill certain criteria to be authorized for entry. These criteria include:

• Having a valid travel document (such as a passport) that allows them to enter Romanian territory;
• Having a visa, if required for their country of origin, or any other necessary document that permits them to enter Romanian territory;
• Having sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay in Romania;
• Not being a threat to public order, national security, public health, or international relations;
• Not having been previously expelled or banned from entering Romania, or any other EU member state;
• Not being in transit from a country where they are not authorized to enter or stay.
• Additionally, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there may be additional health requirements that need to be fulfilled before being allowed entry into Romania. These could include providing proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test result, or quarantine requirements.

It is important to note that fulfilling these criteria does not automatically grant entry into Romanian territory, as the final decision is up to the border authorities.

Visas for short-stays that are conditional on invitation

If you are a third-country national (not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen) and wish to travel to Romania for private visits, you can apply for a short-stay visa with an invitation from a Romanian citizen or legal person. This type of visa allows you to enter Romania for one or more entries, for a maximum stay of 90 days within any period of 180 days preceding each day of stay in Romania.

The invitation must be issued by an individual or legal entity in Romania and should contain certain information, such as the purpose of the visit, the planned dates of travel, and details about the host and the guest. The invitation must be signed by the host and notarized by a Romanian notary public. The host must also provide a copy of their ID or passport.

It's important to note that the invitation does not guarantee the issuance of the visa, as the visa application must still meet all the relevant criteria and requirements.

Just to clarify, there is no need for the General Inspectorate for Immigration's opinion in the following cases:

• Spouses and children of Romanian citizens
• Spouses and children of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, if they hold a valid residence card or a long-stay visa issued by another EU member state
• Holders of diplomatic and service passports, traveling to Romania on official purposes
• Participants in scientific, cultural, artistic or sports activities, as well as their family members and staff, if the organizer of the event has obtained the necessary permits and authorizations from the competent authorities
• Participants in international exchange programs, such as ERASMUS, and their family members
• Holders of UN Laissez-Passer
• Seafarers traveling to join or leave a vessel, who hold a seafarer's identity document
• Short-term visits by representatives of non-profit organizations, who travel to Romania to participate in meetings, seminars, workshops, training courses or similar events, organized by Romanian non-profit organizations
• Holders of valid Schengen visas, who have already entered the territory of a Schengen member state, as well as family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who hold a valid residence card or a long-stay visa issued by another EU member state, and who are transiting Romania to reach their destination.

Exceptions for short-stay visa

There are some exceptions to the short-stay visa requirement for entry into Romania. The following categories of individuals are exempt from the short-stay visa requirement:

• Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland.
• Holders of a residence permit or long-stay visa issued by an EU Member State, EEA country or Switzerland, who are entitled to free movement.
• Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, who are not themselves EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, but who hold a residence card or a visa for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
• Holders of diplomatic passports and their family members.
• Members of official delegations who are invited by Romanian authorities, as well as their family members and staff.
• Participants in scientific, cultural, and sporting events.
• Those who are traveling to Romania for humanitarian reasons, including medical emergencies.

It's important to note that even if you are exempt from the short-stay visa requirement, you may still be subject to other entry requirements and may need to provide documentation to support your entry into Romania.

Frequently asked questions about the Romanian eVisa