How To Apply for Romania Schengen Visa in the UK

Charlie Romania 21 March 2025 | Updated On March 28, 2025 | 0

Nestled in Southeastern Europe, Romania is a country where history and nature blend seamlessly. It shares borders with Ukraine to the north, Moldova to the northeast, Bulgaria to the south, Serbia to the southwest, and Hungary to the west, while its eastern coastline stretches along the Black Sea, providing vital maritime access. The landscape is a mix of towering Carpathian Mountains, the winding Danube River, and the ecologically rich Danube Delta, one of Europe’s most biodiverse areas. Positioned at the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe, Romania plays a significant role in regional connectivity and trade.

From the legendary Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania to scenic hikes in the Carpathian Mountains, Romania offers a wealth of experiences. Step back in time in medieval towns like Sighişoara and Braşov, or explore Maramureş, where wooden churches and traditional villages preserve a way of life unchanged for centuries. Nature lovers can immerse themselves in the untouched wilderness of the Danube Delta and Carpathian forests, while the painted monasteries of Bucovina provide a unique blend of art, history, and spirituality.

This year, Romania became a full member of the European Union’s border-free Schengen Area by eliminating land border controls within the bloc. This integration allows for seamless travel across member states and simplifies procedures for obtaining work permits, residence permits, and visas.

With Romania and Bulgaria now part of the Schengen zone, the Schengen area comprises 29 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Do you need a visa to Romania?

As a member of the Schengen Area, Romania allows citizens of certain countries to enter visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Travellers who are not from the countries below must obtain a Schengen Visa to visit Romania.

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Timor-Leste, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela.

It is important to remember that non-EU travellers should be aware that time spent in Romania counts toward their total stay in the Schengen Area, which is limited to 90 days within a 180-day period. For example, if a visa-exempt traveller stays 30 days in Romania, they will have only 60 days remaining for visits to other Schengen countries like Italy.

Exceeding this limit can lead to penalties such as fines or re-entry bans. For stays longer than 90 days, you need a visa or work permit.

Travellers with a Schengen Visa must follow the conditions of their visa, including the allowed duration of stay and travel restrictions.

Romania also adheres to Schengen passport requirements. Travellers must ensure their passport:

Was issued within the last 10 years before their arrival date.
Is valid for at least three months beyond their planned departure from the Schengen Area.

Types of Romania Schengen Visas and Their Purpose

Since March 31, 2024, Romania has fully adopted the Schengen Visa system, meaning it now issues visas for entry into all Schengen member states.

Types of Schengen Visas Issued by Romania:

Uniform Schengen Visa (USV) – Valid for travel across all Schengen countries. It can be granted for:

A multiple-entry visa can be issued with different validity periods, depending on the applicant’s travel history and purpose.

Visa with Limited Territorial Validity (VLTV) – Allows travel only in specific Schengen countries instead of the entire area. These are issued under special circumstances, such as:
- Humanitarian reasons
- National interests
- International obligations

If a traveller’s passport is not recognized by all Schengen states, the visa will only be valid in the countries that accept it.

Airport Transit Visa (ATV) – Required for travelers who need to change flights in a Schengen airport but do not plan to enter the country. This visa allows access only to the international transit area of the airport.

Each visa type has specific requirements, and applicants must meet Schengen rules regarding passport validity, supporting documents, and travel purposes.

Where to Submit Your Application in the UK

All applications for Romanian visas are accepted only with prior appointment and you can submit the application online at http://evisa.mae.ro/.

It is recommended to apply at least 15 days before travel but no earlier than 6 months before the intended trip. The processing time for a Romania Schengen Visa typically follows standard Schengen rules, meaning:

Standard Processing Time: Up to 15 calendar days from the date of application
Possible Extensions: In some cases, processing can take up to 30 days if additional documents or further verification is required.

In exceptional cases, it may take up to 60 days, especially if more in-depth checks are needed. Applicants should prepare in advance and account for all possible situations.

We recommend submitting your application at least two months in advance to give yourself plenty of time to receive your visa before your trip. This way, you can avoid any last-minute stress and focus on planning your journey with peace of mind.

After submitting your Schengen Visa application to Romania, authorities will review your travel purpose, financial status, and compliance with Schengen regulations.

Your application may also be shared with other Schengen Member States for security checks.

If approved, a visa sticker will be placed in your passport. To learn how to read the visa, check here.
If denied, you will receive a rejection letter explaining the reason and details on how to appeal.

You will be notified when your passport is ready for pickup or, for an additional fee, home delivery.

Supporting Documents Required for Your Romania Schengen Visa Application

When applying for a Romania Schengen Visa, you must submit the following documents:

1. General Required Documents

✅ Completed Visa Application Form – Filled out and signed.
✅ Valid Passport – Must:

Be issued within the last 10 years.
Be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen Area.
Have at least two blank pages.

✅ Recent Passport-Sized Photos – Usually two photos (35mm x 45mm), meeting Schengen visa photo requirements.
✅ Travel Itinerary – Including flight reservations (round-trip).
✅ Proof of Accommodation – Hotel booking, rental agreement, or an invitation letter from a host.
✅ Proof of Financial Means – Bank statements (last 3-6 months), employment letter, salary slip, Business registration certificate (Self-employed) or sponsorship letter.
✅ Travel Health Insurance – Coverage of at least €30,000, valid throughout the Schengen Area.

2. Additional Documents Based on Travel Purpose

For Tourism: Travel itinerary, proof of hotel bookings, or a letter of invitation from a host in Romania.
For Business: Invitation letter from a Romanian company and proof of business ties.
For Visiting Family or Friends: An invitation letter from a Romanian resident, including proof of their legal status in Romania.
For Study or Training: Acceptance letter from a Romanian institution and proof of tuition fee payment.
For Medical Treatment: Letter from a Romanian medical institution confirming the appointment and estimated costs.

3. Additional Documents for Minors

Birth certificate.
Parental consent letter (if traveling alone or with one parent).
Copy of parents' passports/IDs.

Applying for a Romania Schengen Visa requires careful preparation and attention to detail. Ensuring that you provide all necessary documents, meet the financial and travel requirements, and follow Schengen regulations will increase your chances of a successful application.

To avoid any travel disruptions, plan ahead, stay informed of any policy updates, and comply with all visa conditions.

If you need assistance with your Schengen Visa application, contact IaM.

Safe travels and enjoy your time in Romania and the Schengen region!

When do you plan to visit Romania? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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IaM can help with your visa application to Europe, the United States, the UK & other countries

If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or a visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.

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