Romania Residence Visas: Procedures by Stay

Published on May 3, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Navigating the maze of residence visa procedures can often seem daunting, especially when it comes to understanding the specifics of each type of stay in Romania. This article offers you a detailed guide to mastering the essential steps and specific requirements to follow.

Whether you are planning to settle there for professional reasons, studies, family reunification, or simply to discover the cultural richness of this fascinating country, it is crucial to grasp the subtleties of Romanian residence legislation.

Dive into an explanatory journey, where each section is designed to provide you with a clear and concise understanding, thus avoiding the administrative pitfalls often encountered by newcomers.

Steps to Obtain a D Visa in Romania

The D visa is a national long-stay visa allowing non-EU nationals to stay in Romania for more than 90 days, generally for the purpose of studying, working, investing, joining a family member, or carrying out other specific activities. This visa is required for anyone wishing to reside in Romania beyond the short stay permitted by the Schengen visa or visa exemption.

Main Reasons Requiring a D Visa:

• Studies (D/SD visa)
• Salaried work (D/AM) or self-employment (D/AP)
• Investment or business activity (D/AC)
• Family reunification (D/VF)
• Scientific research (D/CS)
• Religious activities (D/AR)
• Other specific reasons (D/AS)

List of Required Documents for the D Visa Application:

• Valid passport (valid for at least 3 months after the end of the intended stay)
• Completed and signed visa application form
• 2 recent passport-sized photos
• Official invitation letter or proof appropriate to the reason for stay (university acceptance letter, employment contract, proof of family reunification, etc.)
• Proof of accommodation in Romania (rental contract, hotel reservation, accommodation certificate)
• Proof of sufficient financial means for the duration of the stay
• Health insurance covering the entire stay
• Recent criminal record certificate from the country of residence
• Payment of processing fees (see below)
• Other specific documents depending on the category of D visa requested

Application Submission Procedure:

• Submit the application to the Romanian embassy or consulate competent for your country of residence.
• Addresses and contact details of Romanian representations are available on the website of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Appointment booking is mandatory at most consulates.
• Possible interview and biometric data collection.

Processing Fees and Payment Methods:

Visa Type	Indicative Fees	Accepted Payment Methods
D Visa	Approximately 120 EUR	Cash, bank card, bank transfer

Exact fees and payment methods may vary depending on the consular representation; check with the relevant consulate.

Average Processing Times:

• Generally between 10 and 30 working days.
• Times vary depending on the period and complexity of the file.

Tips to Avoid Delays:

• Submit a complete file from the first submission.
• Check the validity of all documents.
• Anticipate booking an appointment, especially during peak season.
• Translate and legalize foreign official documents if necessary.

Obligations After Obtaining the D Visa:

• Enter Romania within the visa’s validity period (maximum 90 days initial stay).
• Register with the Romanian Office for Immigration within 30 days of arrival to obtain a residence permit (mandatory for any extended stay).
• Comply with the visa conditions and renew the residence permit before it expires.

Specific Tips:

• Students: Provide the acceptance letter from the Romanian higher education institution, prove financial capacity to cover tuition and living expenses, and take out health insurance.
• Workers: Have an employment contract or work permit issued by the competent Romanian authority before applying for the visa; for posted workers, provide the posting letter.
• Dependents/Family: Attach proof of family ties (birth certificate, marriage certificate), parental authorization if necessary, and justify the main resident’s ability to support the dependent members.

Useful Resources for Updated Information:

• Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (visa section and consulate addresses)
• European Immigration Portal (Romania section)
• Official Romanian e-visa platforms
• Consular advice from your country of origin

Obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit in Romania

Eligibility Conditions for Obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit in Romania

To obtain a temporary residence permit, the applicant must meet the following conditions:

• Have entered Romania with a long-stay visa corresponding to the intended category of stay.
• Possess a valid passport.
• Provide proof of legal accommodation in Romania.
• Have valid national health insurance.
• Maintain the same reason for stay as indicated in the visa application.
• Submit the application at least 30 days before the visa or previous permit expires.

Admissible Categories of Stay

• Studies
• Salaried or self-employed work
• Family reunification
• Commercial or professional activities
• Scientific research
• Other specific reasons provided for by Romanian legislation

Required Documents to Submit

Document	Detail / Observations
Application form in Romanian	To be obtained from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI)
Valid passport	Original + copy
Proof of financial resources	Bank statements, employment contract, etc.
Health insurance contract	Must cover the duration of the stay
Criminal record certificate	From the country of origin and/or issued by Romanian authorities
Proof of accommodation	Rental contract, property deed, etc.
Confirmation of the reason for stay	Admission letter (studies), employment contract, etc.
Civil status certificates	If applicable (marriage, birth, etc.)
Sworn translations and apostilles if necessary	For documents not written in Romanian

All documents in a foreign language must be translated into Romanian, apostilled, and notarized.

Application Process and Deadlines

• Gather all required documents.
• Submit the application to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) of the place of residence.
• The application must be submitted at least 30 days before the visa or previous permit expires.
• Processing time: generally 30 to 120 days depending on the complexity of the file and the category of stay.
• Collect the permit from the IGI after receiving the acceptance notification.

Associated Fees

Processing fees are required upon submission of the application; the amount varies depending on the category of stay (e.g., scholarship students of the Romanian state may be exempt from fees).

For most categories, the fees range between 120 and 260 lei (amount to be verified according to the latest official fee schedules).

Practical Tips to Ensure a Successful Application

• Prepare the file well in advance and check the validity of each document.
• Ensure all documents are translated and apostilled if necessary.
• Anticipate obtaining the proof of resources and accommodation certificate.
• Use the IGI website to track the progress of the procedure and book appointments.
• Regularly check for any legislative or regulatory updates.

Legislative and Regulatory References (October 2023)

• Law No. 194/2002 on the regime of foreigners in Romania (amended)
• Implementing regulations of Law 194/2002 (Government Decision No. 102/2022)
• Information available on the website of the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI)

Resources and Government Websites for More Information or Assistance

• General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI):
  • Official information, procedures, forms: igi.mai.gov.ro
• Euraxess Romania:
  • Information for researchers, students, and professionals: euraxess.gov.ro/romania
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania:
  • Information on visas and legislation: mae.ro

For any procedure, it is strongly recommended to regularly consult official Romanian websites and, if necessary, contact consular services or a lawyer specialized in immigration law.

Steps Towards Permanent Residence in Romania

Steps to Obtain Permanent Residence in Romania

1. First Step: Visa or Temporary Residence Permit

You must first obtain a temporary residence permit (residence card), which is obtained based on a valid reason: employment, studies, family reunification, business creation, or specific professional activity.

• To obtain it:
  • Present an employment contract, university enrollment, or any document justifying the reason for stay.
  • Provide proof of sufficient financial resources and valid health insurance.
  • Register with the General Inspectorate for Immigration within 15 days of arrival if the stay exceeds 90 days.

2. Minimum Duration of Legal Stay Before Application

Residing legally and without interruption for at least 5 years with a temporary permit is required before applying for permanent residence.

Absences must not exceed 6 consecutive months nor exceed a total cumulative of 10 months over the five years.

3. Eligibility Conditions for Permanent Residence

• Continuous residence
• Stable financial resources: have at least the Romanian minimum wage (approximately 670 EUR/month in 2024) for yourself and any dependents
• Valid health insurance covering the entire period
• Proof of accommodation officially registered in Romania
• Knowledge of Romanian, attested by an official test
• No criminal record, verified by a certificate issued by the competent authorities

4. Documents to Prepare for the Application

Document	Detail
Official form	Must be completed in Romanian
Passport	Valid for at least three more months
Photos	Two color passport-sized photos
Financial statement	Bank statements/receipts proving necessary resources
Accommodation contract/certificate	Official proof of your residence
Health insurance	Covering the entire requested period
Medical certificate	Certifying absence of contagious diseases
Criminal record	Recent certificate from your country + locally issued extract
Proof of Romanian language knowledge	Diploma/certificate attesting to passing the language test

All foreign documents must be translated into Romanian, apostilled, and notarized according to local requirements.

5. Administrative Fees & Average Processing Times

Administrative fees are to be expected when submitting the file (the exact amount varies depending on the type and location).

Processing generally takes between 30 to 120 days, depending on the complexity of the files.

6. Rights, Obligations & Benefits Attached to Permanent Residence

Main Rights:

• Right to reside indefinitely without annual renewal
• Free access to the national labor market
• Possibility to create a business or carry out any economic activities permitted to nationals
• Benefit from public systems: health, education under conditions identical to citizens

Obligations:

• Comply with national laws
• Maintain your registered address with the authorities
• Renew your card every ten years

Potential Social/Tax Benefits:

• Increased administrative stability: no need to frequently renew documents
• Easier access to local bank or mortgage loans
• Possibility to apply for citizenship later after several additional years

⚠️ Legislation may change; it is recommended to regularly check with official Romanian services before any formal submission.