Visa Types — Romania

Major Visa Categories for Immigrating to Romania

Romania distinguishes between short-stay visas (Type C), long-stay visas (Type D), and subsequent residence permits. For immigration purposes (settling long-term), the Type D long-stay visas are the relevant category, as they serve as the gateway to residence permits. Below is a comprehensive breakdown.

*Note: Romania is a Schengen-associated EU member (fully joined Schengen for air/sea borders in March 2024, land borders January 2025), but visa/immigration rules are still largely set nationally through the Romanian Immigration Office (Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări - IGI) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE).*

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Long-Stay Visa for Employment (Type D/AM)

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA foreign nationals who have a job offer or employment contract with a Romanian company.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Valid job offer from a Romanian employer
• Employer must obtain a work authorization (Aviz de angajare) from IGI before visa application
• Labor market test may be required (proving no suitable EU/EEA/Romanian candidate available), though waived for certain professions/shortage occupations
• Valid passport (valid for 6+ months beyond stay)
• Clean criminal record
• Proof of accommodation in Romania
• Health insurance
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence (minimum wage level, currently around 3,700 RON/month gross, subject to change)

Processing time:

• Work authorization: 30-45 days
• Visa application after authorization: 10-30 days (can extend to 45 in complex cases)

Cost:

• Work authorization fee: ~200 RON (~$43 USD)
• Visa fee: 120 EUR (~660 RON / ~130 USD) — standard Type D fee
• Note: fees are typically quoted in EUR even at Romanian consulates

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Long-Stay Visa for Family Reunification (Type D/FR)

Who it's for: Family members (spouse, minor children, dependent parents in some cases) of Romanian citizens or of foreign residents already legally residing in Romania.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, apostilled/translated)
• Sponsor must demonstrate stable income and adequate housing
• Sponsor must have valid residence status (if non-citizen)
• Health insurance for applicant
• Clean criminal record (for adults)
• Minimum sponsor income thresholds (varies, generally tied to minimum wage multiplied by family size)

Processing time: 30-60 days (family reunification cases can take longer due to document verification)

Cost:

• Visa fee: 120 EUR (~660 RON / ~130 USD)
• Additional document legalization/translation costs vary (not included in visa fee)

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Long-Stay Visa for Studies (Type D/SD)

Who it's for: International students accepted into accredited Romanian universities or educational institutions.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Letter of acceptance from a Romanian accredited institution
• Proof of tuition payment (or partial payment/scholarship proof)
• Proof of sufficient funds (~2,300-3,000 RON/month equivalent, or a lump sum in a bank account, figures vary by consulate)
• Health insurance
• Clean criminal record
• Valid passport
• Accommodation proof (dormitory or rental agreement)

Processing time: 15-30 days typically, but can extend to 45 days

Cost:

• Visa fee: 120 EUR (~660 RON / ~130 USD)
• Some reductions/exemptions possible for EU-partnership scholarship students (e.g., Erasmus+)

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Long-Stay Visa for Business/Investment (Type D/AF)

Who it's for: Entrepreneurs, investors, or those establishing/participating in a commercial company in Romania.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of intent to start or invest in a Romanian business (business plan, incorporation documents)
• Minimum investment thresholds (no fixed universal minimum, but must show viability; historically informal benchmark around €10,000-€50,000 depending on business type, though not codified as strictly as "golden visa" programs)
• Proof of funds
• Clean criminal record
• Health insurance
• Proof of accommodation

Processing time: 30-45 days

Cost:

• Visa fee: 120 EUR (~660 RON / ~130 USD)
• Company registration costs separate (typically 200-500 RON / $43-108 USD via Trade Registry)

*Note: Romania does NOT currently operate a formal "Golden Visa" (investor residency-by-investment) program like Portugal or Greece. Business immigration is done via standard commercial visa/company formation route.*

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Long-Stay Visa for Freelancers/Independent Activities (Type D/AA)

Who it's for: Self-employed professionals, freelancers, or independent contractors planning to work independently in Romania.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of professional qualifications relevant to independent activity
• Registration intent with Romanian tax authorities (as PFA - Persoană Fizică Autorizată)
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Health insurance
• Clean criminal record
• Business/activity plan

Processing time: 30-45 days

Cost:

• Visa fee: 120 EUR (~660 RON / ~130 USD)

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Long-Stay Visa for Retirees/Persons of Independent Means (Type D/AS or similar administrative category)

Who it's for: Non-EU nationals wishing to reside in Romania without working, relying on pensions, savings, or passive income.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of stable passive income/pension (amount varies, generally must exceed Romanian minimum wage per month)
• Proof of accommodation
• Health insurance covering full stay
• Clean criminal record
• This category is less commonly used and processed case-by-case; not as formalized as "retirement visas" in countries like Portugal or Spain

Processing time: 30-45 days

Cost:

• Visa fee: 120 EUR (~660 RON / ~130 USD)

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Long-Stay Visa for Religious Activities (Type D/R)

Who it's for: Clergy, missionaries, or religious workers invited by religious organizations recognized in Romania.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Invitation/sponsorship from a religious organization registered in Romania
• Proof of religious credentials
• Health insurance
• Clean criminal record
• Proof of accommodation

Processing time: 30 days

Cost:

• Visa fee: 120 EUR (~660 RON / ~130 USD)

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EU Blue Card (Highly Skilled Workers)

Who it's for: Highly qualified non-EU professionals with a university degree and a qualifying job offer meeting salary thresholds.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Higher education degree (bachelor's or higher) or equivalent professional experience (5+ years in some tech fields)
• Job contract of at least 1 year duration
• Salary threshold: gross salary must be at least 1.5 to 2x the average gross national salary in Romania (roughly 8,000-9,000+ RON/month, figures adjusted annually — verify current threshold as it changes yearly)
• Employer-sponsored work authorization process similar to standard work visa

Processing time: 30-45 days for initial visa; Blue Card itself issued after arrival within 30 days at IGI

Cost:

• Visa fee: 120 EUR (~660 RON / ~130 USD)
• Blue Card residence permit fee: ~100-200 RON (~$21-43 USD)

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Residence Permits (Post-Visa Step)

*Not a visa per se, but critical to the immigration process:* Once in Romania on a Type D visa, applicants must apply for a residence permit (Permis de ședere) within the visa's validity period (usually within 30-90 days of arrival) at the local IGI office.

Cost:

• Standard fee: ~330 RON (~$71 USD) for a 1-year permit (varies by permit duration and category, e.g., students often pay reduced fees ~120 RON/~$26 USD)

Processing time: Typically 30 days, though can be same-day to a few weeks depending on local IGI office workload

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Important Notes & Recommendations

• All fees are approximate and subject to change based on exchange rates (EUR/RON/USD) and Romanian government fee schedule updates — RON to USD conversions used here assume approximately 1 EUR ≈ 5.5 RON and 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD (verify current rates).
• Processing times can vary significantly based on consulate location, applicant's home country, and case complexity — always confirm with the nearest Romanian embassy/consulate.
• Romania does not currently offer a citizenship/residency-by-investment ("golden visa") program.
• EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not need any visa and only need to register residence after 3 months' stay (simplified registration, minimal cost ~4-10 RON for registration certificate).
• Official sources to verify current information:
• Romanian Immigration Office (IGI): www.igi.mai.gov.ro
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) visa portal: www.mae.ro
• Nearest Romanian embassy/consulate for country-specific requirements

Given the frequency of regulatory updates (especially post-Schengen accession in 2024-2025), it is strongly recommended to verify all fees, income thresholds, and processing times directly with official Romanian government sources or a licensed immigration attorney before proceeding.

More about immigrating to Romania