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Romania Visitor Visa

The Romania Visitor Visa is a Schengen short-stay visa (Category C) issued by Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) to foreign nationals visiting relatives or friends in Romania. According to official MAE guidance, “visits to relatives and friends” is one of the explicit purposes covered under Romania’s Uniform Visa framework. Among the states whose citizens need a visa to enter Romania, some are specifically required to obtain an invitation approved by the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI-MAI) when applying for a private-visit visa (symbol C/VV) — this invitation, and any supporting documents depending on the purpose of the trip, must be submitted in two original copies to the territorial offices of the IGI-MAI for approval, a process that takes up to 60 days. As with all Romania Visa categories, obtaining a visa does not confer an automatic right of entry.

Eligibility

Based on official MAE guidance, applicants for a Visitor Visa must generally:

  • Be a foreign national travelling to Romania specifically to visit family members or friends, and a citizen of a country whose nationals require a Schengen visa.
  • Hold a biometric passport, issued no more than 10 years prior to application, valid for at least 90 days after the planned date of departure from the Schengen Area.
  • For nationalities requiring one: obtain an invitation approved by the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI-MAI), submitted by the host in Romania and processed within 60 days.
  • The national form for taking charge and/or private accommodation is the IGI-MAI-approved invitation, as provided for under Article 38 of GEO 194/2002 for short-stay visas for the purposes of visits, tourism, and business.
  • Hold travel medical insurance valid for the Schengen Area, with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000.

Government Visa Fees

Under the EU Visa Code fee schedule applied by Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Fee TypeAmount
Schengen Visa (Type C) – standard rateEUR 90
Schengen Visa (Type C) – children aged 6–11EUR 45
Schengen Visa (Type C) – children under 6Free of charge
Reduced rate for nationals of states with bilateral visa facilitation agreements with the EUEUR 35 or EUR 70, depending on the agreement
INR EquivalentInformation may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances

The visa fee is charged beforehand, in EUR, and is not refunded in case of refusal.

Processing Time

According to MAE guidance, standard Schengen visa applications, including for visiting family or friends, are generally decided within 15 calendar days, extendable up to 45 calendar days in exceptional circumstances. Because the IGI-MAI approved invitation — required for private visits from certain nationalities — is processed within 60 days of submission, this preparatory step should be factored into the overall timeline, as it occurs before the visa application itself can be lodged. Applicants should coordinate with their host in Romania well in advance.

Required Documents Checklist

Completed and signed Schengen visa application form (via evisa.mae.ro)
Biometric passport, issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 90 days beyond departure from the Schengen Area
Recent passport-style photograph
For nationalities requiring one: an invitation approved by the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI-MAI), submitted in two original copies by the host, along with supporting documents depending on the purpose of the trip
Travel medical insurance valid for the Schengen Area, covering at least EUR 30,000
Proof of sufficient financial means for the stay, or confirmation from the host of responsibility for costs
Proof of payment of the visa fee

Step-by-Step Application Process

Confirm whether your nationality requires an IGI-MAI approved invitation for a private-visit (C/VV) visa.
If required, ask your host in Romania to submit the invitation, in two original copies, to the territorial offices of the IGI-MAI for approval (processing: within 60 days).
Once the invitation is approved, begin your application online at evisa.mae.ro.
Book an appointment at the relevant Romanian Embassy or Consulate.
Attend your appointment in person, submit your original documents, and provide biometric data if required.
Pay the applicable visa fee.
Await the decision (standard timeline: 15 days, extendable up to 45 days).
Collect your passport with the visa sticker once a decision has been made.

Important Notes

Romania specifically requires an invitation approved by the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI-MAI) for private-visit (C/VV) visa applications from certain nationalities — this is the official "taking charge and/or private accommodation" form under Article 38 of GEO 194/2002.
This official invitation must be submitted and approved before the visa application is lodged, and the approval process itself can take up to 60 days.
Visa fees are non-refundable, even if the application is refused.
Obtaining a visa does not automatically guarantee entry; border authorities may refuse entry if proof of the purpose and specifics of the journey is not provided.
The invitation must be accompanied by supporting documents depending on the specific purpose of the trip.
Providing false or incomplete information may result in refusal.

Why Choose Shivansh Consultants

Applying for a Romania Transit Visa requires accurate documentation, a valid travel itinerary, and compliance with the visa requirements prescribed by the Romanian authorities. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting you with transit visa application forms, passport documentation, confirmed onward travel tickets, destination country visa or entry permit (where applicable), travel itinerary, travel insurance (where applicable), and all required supporting paperwork. Our experienced consultants carefully review every application to help minimize errors, reduce delays, and ensure your documentation meets the applicable transit visa requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-focused assistance throughout your Romania Transit Visa application process. While the final decision on visa approval rests solely with the Romanian immigration authorities, our goal is to help you submit a complete, accurate, and well-prepared Romania Transit Visa application with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a special invitation to visit family or friends in Romania?
Nationals of certain countries are specifically required to obtain an invitation approved by the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI-MAI) for private-visit visa applications; this is submitted by the host in Romania.
2. How long does the IGI-MAI invitation process take?
The invitation is processed within 60 days from submission to the territorial offices of the General Inspectorate for Immigration, and this must be completed before the visa application itself is lodged.
3. How much does a Romania Visitor Visa cost?
The standard Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6–11; children under 6 apply free of charge, with reduced rates for certain nationalities under bilateral agreements.
4. How long does it take to process a Romania Visitor Visa once the invitation is approved?
Once the required invitation (if applicable) is approved, standard visa processing is 15 calendar days, extendable up to 45 days in certain cases.
5. Who submits the invitation for a private visit to Romania?
The host in Romania is generally responsible for submitting the invitation, in two original copies, to the territorial offices of the General Inspectorate for Immigration for approval.

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