Visa to Romania for Russians in 2021 on your own, is it possible to enter the country under Schengen, obtaining a residence permit by invitation

What visa do you need to enter Romania in 2020?

For a long time, Romania was not popular among tourists. Most often, they applied for a transit visa to enter Bulgaria. Now the situation has changed: there are many people who want to visit ancient castles, of which there are so many in Transylvania, take a walk around Bucharest or admire the Carpathians.

Visa SCHENGEN Romania.

Romania is trying to become a full participant in the Schengen Agreement, and its government is taking the necessary steps for this. In particular, a visa-free regime has been established with other European countries. Visa applicants from Russia need to understand that an entry permit issued by the Romanian consulate does not give the right to travel to other European countries.

Is Schengen suitable?

However, the reverse operation is possible. If a citizen of the Russian Federation has received a Schengen visa or entry document from other non-Schengen countries (these include Cyprus, Croatia and Bulgaria), he can freely visit Romania if the validity period of the document allows. The exception is single-entry visas.

From February 1, 2021, entry into Romania with a Schengen visa is possible if it is double or multiple entry. If you have a document of this type, you can stay in the country for a while and explore at least some of its attractions.

Types of visas to Romania

There are several types of Romanian visas, which are divided depending on the reasons for the trip.

Countryside near the village of Fundatura in Romania. This country has many resorts and entertainment, but its soul can only be understood by visiting quiet corners where virgin nature has been preserved. Fans of hiking can be recommended to visit the Maramures region, where in the foothills you can admire wonderful landscapes and also visit miniature villages.

Tourist visa

If the purpose of your trip to the country is tourism, then you should apply for a tourist visa. This is the most popular option; this permit is issued for a period of 90 days . During this time, a foreigner can freely move around the country, visit different resorts and cities.

Transit visa

This type is intended for foreigners who want to travel to another country through Romania. In this case, transit tourists can reside in the territory of the state with a Schengen permit for a period not exceeding five days.

Palace of Parliament in Bucharest. The uniqueness of the building lies in its record price and size. The construction costs of this massive building amounted to $4.1 billion. Its area is 350 thousand square meters. m, it has 1,100 rooms, which are decorated with expensive interior items, bronze figurines, huge mirrors, and exquisite furniture.

Service visa

The justification for a work visa is business trips.

You can apply for a visa to Romania based on an invitation from the host country. It is issued for three months, but if necessary, the receiving party can specify a shorter period for the foreigner’s stay in Romania.

Visitor visa

Visitor visas are issued to people who come to the state to visit relatives. The basis for registration is an invitation from a citizen of the country permanently residing on the territory of the Romanian Republic. The validity period of the document is 90 days. It must be certified by a notary.

Fresco on the wall of the Church of St. George the Victorious in the Voronet Monastery in Romania. Voronets is a working convent, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple gained worldwide fame for the unique 16th-century frescoes on the walls of the Cathedral Church of St. George the Victorious. The painting depicts various biblical scenes.

Visa categories

The classification of Romanian visas does not differ from similar documents for entry into other countries. Types of permits to visit the country vary according to the purpose of the trip and its duration. According to the purpose of the visa, there are tourist, official, guest and student visas. In terms of duration - transit, short-term and long-term. Based on this classification, the applicant decides which visa he needs for Romania.

Transit visa category A and B

Some time ago, these categories of entry documents were the most popular. Now their relevance is gradually being lost. The basis on which transit visas categories A and B differ is the ability to enter the city.

Category A document is issued to travelers transiting through the airport. The opportunity to leave the transit zone is not provided. Russian citizens can do without this document (within 24 hours from the moment of arrival, a visa-free regime applies to them).

Transit visa category B.

A category B entry permit must be obtained by tourists traveling by car, train or plane with the right to leave the transit zone. The validity of such a document does not exceed 120 hours from the date of entry.

Short-term category C

This type of visa is suitable for those applicants traveling to Romania for the purpose of holiday, participation in an academic conference or entering into a business agreement. The permit is valid for 90 days. The holder of a short-term visa is not eligible for employment. In addition, such a document cannot be extended.

A category C visa is issued for a six-month period during which you can visit Romania. The established period of 90 days can be covered in several visits.

Long term category D

The main difference between a type D permit and the previous one is the possibility of its extension if necessary. This visa is issued if the applicant intends to get a job, get an education or reunite with family in Romania with the further possibility of obtaining a residence permit.

Obtaining a long-term visa requires more documents and will take longer. But when you contact the migration department of the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs, its validity period is extended without delay.

Type D visa.

Types of Romanian visas

Romania offers several types of visas depending on the length of stay, the purpose of the trip and the opportunities that the traveler will have in the destination country.

Transit visa type a b

This is a transit visa, which implies a short-term stay on Romanian territory:

type A - airport for citizens of some countries from the approved list (the Russian Federation is included in it), valid for 24 hours and does not allow leaving the airport area;
type B – transit for crossing the country, allows you to stay in the territory for five days.

Requested from KO or CC.

Short stay visa type C

Gives permission to stay in the country for no more than 90 days in a six-month period, counting from the date of entry.

Obtaining a visa may be for the purpose of:

tourist and private visits by invitation;
business trip;
participation in events (sports, science, culture);
business trip;
invitation of officials.

When applying for a visa, provide a document confirming the purpose.

Long term type d

Validity (stay) period is up to 3 months, can be extended upon application to the Migration Service.

Long-term visas are issued for work, study, entrepreneurship, family reunification, etc.

All types are national visa.

Package of documents for visa c

To obtain a visa of any category, a citizen of the Russian Federation must provide the following documents:

applicant's application form;
internal passport of the Russian Federation (original and photocopy);
foreign passport (original and photocopy of completed pages) with a validity period greater than or equal to 90 days from the date of departure from Romania;
receipt of payment of the consular fee;
photograph of a face in a standard format;
certificate of reservation at the hotel (indicating the applicant’s personal data and the stamp of the hotel management);
a copy of the health insurance policy covering an amount of at least 30 thousand euros;
any evidence (for example, a bank account statement) proving the financial solvency of the applicant;
a certificate from the place of employment confirming the position held and the salary received.

The financial independence of the applicant is considered proven if the amount of funds available in his account allows spending in the territory of Romania in the amount of at least 50 euros per day. Such a document is considered in conjunction with a certificate of employment, which indicates the salary. If the applicant's salary does not allow such expenses, a special letter from the travel sponsor and a bank account statement will be required.

In addition to the required documents, there are a number of certificates that need to be submitted to the consulate, depending on the purpose of the intended trip. For example, if you are applying for a visitor visa, you must provide a notarized invitation letter.

If a citizen of the Russian Federation is sent to Romania on business, a similar letter must be sent by a representative of the receiving company. The letter reflects such aspects as the duration of the visit and its purpose, place of residence, source of funding for the trip. Be sure to indicate the details of both the receiving party and the invitee.

A foreign citizen located in Russia also has the right to obtain a visa to Romania. He will be required to provide the same package of documents and a certificate of legal presence within the Russian Federation.

Visa type C.

Collect documentation package

Applying for a visa requires careful attention to the bureaucratic component - collecting a package of documentation. To apply for a visa to Romania, you need the following documents:

International passport . Requirements: one or more blank pages, valid for three months after arrival in the Russian Federation. If you have an old document, you will need copies of the completed pages and the original itself.
Internal passport . You cannot do without the original with copies of the completed pages.
Pension book (if available).
Application form . To be filled out at the Visa Application Center or Embassy. Data is entered in English.
Photo (two) . Size 3.5x4.5 cm. The face takes up 80% of the image. The background is light. Corners, frames, roundings are prohibited.
Certificate from the employer company , made according to a certain sample. The content must contain information about the company, the signature of the chief accountant, manager and seal.
Bank statement . To obtain a Romanian visa, you need to confirm your solvency. The document must confirm the availability of at least 50 € per day or 500 € for the entire stay in the country.
Medical insurance for travelers . It is important that the policy is valid in the state and covers losses in the amount of €30,000 or more.
Information about booking travel documents and travel dates.
Criminal record documents issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Additional package

Depending on the purpose of the trip, other documents may be required. Let's highlight the main points:

Traveling with a child under 18 years of age - application form, certificate, parent’s passport (copy) of the page where the children are listed. If traveling with mother or father, the other parent's approval or proof of absence will be required.
Crossing the border by car. You need a registration certificate for the car, a driver's license (international type), and a Green Card.
Business goals. To obtain a visa to Romania for Russians planning a business trip, you will need an invitation document indicating contacts and details, purposes and deadlines, and guarantees of place of residence.
Job. You cannot do without a work permit in Romania, a copy of the employment contract and proof of residence.
Reunion with relatives. If a spouse enters Romanian territory, a marriage certificate, husband/wife card, and premises will be required.

As you can see, in each case the requirements are individual. To clarify the information, you should contact the Consulate or CC.

Papers for long-term visa D

When issuing long-term entry documents, the Romanian Migration Service first of all pays attention to the reliability of the applicant. Therefore, a visa of this type can be obtained only after attaching to the standard package of documents a certificate from the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the absence of a criminal record. Other documents depend on the purpose of the trip.

When applying for employment in Romania, the applicant provides a copy and original of a work permit in the country. Such a document is issued to the employer by the migration service, and then sent to the potential employee.

The permit is valid for 60 days from the date of receipt. The remaining documents are accompanied by a copy of the employment contract, the original and a copy of the certificate of housing availability for the duration of work.

If a resident of the Russian Federation is the legal spouse of a Romanian citizen, he has the right to family restoration. For this purpose, a long-term visa is issued. To obtain it, you must provide the original and photocopies of the marriage certificate and the Romanian identity card of the spouse (the function of such a document is performed by the ID card). Spouses must have their own home in Romania, which is documented.

Tourist visa

Most Russians go to Romania to relax at resorts, see the sights, undergo treatment in local clinics or visit loved ones. For these purposes, a short-term visa “C” is opened, which is divided into several types:

Tourist;
Business;
Guest room;
Student.

Let's take a closer look at the tourist visa. To obtain it you will need the following documents:

A foreign passport with a 3-month reserve and its copy (page spreads with marks and issued visas).
Original and copy of previous passport.
Visa application form. Entries are made in Latin. The form is signed personally by the applicant. Parents sign for children. A sample is provided at the link.
Color photo size 3.5x4.5 cm.
Medical insurance with coverage of 30,000 EUR. The cost of the policy depends on the terms of insurance and the age of the applicant.
Round trip tickets. If the trip is carried out by personal transport, you must provide documents (originals and copies) for the car, a driver’s license, Green Card insurance, and a power of attorney for the car.
Confirmation of financial well-being at the rate of 50 EUR per tourist, but not less than 500 EUR for the entire trip (bank statements and traveler's checks are accepted).
Travel voucher or hotel reservation indicating the applicant’s full name, date of birth, and passport details.
Copy of Russian passport (all pages with entries).
A certificate from the employer on the original form indicating the details of the company, position, length of service, salary (at least 30,000 rubles). Unemployed people provide a sponsorship letter or only a bank statement.

For pensioners:

A copy of the pension certificate.
A certificate from the bank (with a balance of at least 50,000 rubles) or a sponsorship letter.

For students and students:

Certificate from educational institution.
A certificate from the bank (with a balance of at least 50,000 rubles) or a sponsorship letter.

Private trip:

Notarized invitation from a Romanian citizen.

Business visit:

An invitation from a Romanian company, which displays the details of both parties, the duration and purpose of the trip, and guarantees accommodation and payment of expenses.

Sponsorship letter

Sponsors can only be close relatives, which, from the point of view of the Romanian Embassy, are spouses and children. The letter guarantees that the sponsor will cover all travel expenses, including payment for accommodation, food, and medical services. Attached to the letter is a document confirming family ties, a copy of the sponsor's passport and a certificate from his work (or bank statement).

For children

Children over 14 years old travel on their own passports; younger minors can be included in their parents' documents. A separate visa application form is filled out for the child and a full package of documentation is prepared.

A copy of the birth certificate is attached to the main papers. When traveling with only one parent, consent to leave the Russian Federation certified by a notary is provided from the second. If a child travels independently or with third parties, consent to travel from both parents is prepared.

If an entry document is requested separately for a child, then it is necessary to make copies of the valid visas of the parents accompanying the minor on the trip.

Transit

Visa-free transit through Romania is allowed if the traveler does not plan to leave the airport, and the transfer to the next flight occurs in the next 24 hours.

The following are provided at the border:

Tickets to a third country and, if necessary, a visa;
Hotel reservation in the final destination country (electronic printouts of reservations made via the Internet are accepted).

If transit through Romania exceeds 24 hours, a category “B” visa is issued, which gives the right to a 5-day stop in the country. You should prepare:

International passport with a “reserve” of 3 months and its copy.
One color photo measuring 3.5x4.5 cm.
Standard application form filled out in Latin.
Copy of Russian passport.
Travel tickets for the entire travel route.

Visa-free transit is possible if a Russian enters the country with a Croatian, Cypriot or Bulgarian visa. Also, holders of Schengen and EU residence permits do not receive a transit visa.

Requirements for additional documents

The presence of incorrect information and blots in the documents provided, non-compliance with standards - all this can lead to a refusal to issue a Romanian visa. In this regard, it is advisable to find out what requirements apply to the papers that the applicant receives independently. First of all, this concerns the application form and photograph of the applicant.

Photo of a face

The standard photo format is 35 by 45 mm. The photograph must be in color and of high quality; faded colors and unclear images are not allowed. The applicant is photographed frontally against a neutral background. Most of the photograph's area (at least 75%) is occupied by the face of the person being photographed (however, it cannot be covered by hair, accessories or any other foreign objects). You can be photographed wearing a headdress only if your religious beliefs require it.

Only the applicant is present in the photograph. The photograph cannot be edited in any computer programs. Red-eye effect is not allowed. The distance between the crown and the upper border of the image is at least 2 mm.

The photograph is taken no earlier than six months before the time of expected departure. It must match the photo pasted into the passport. It is best to print your photo on matte paper.

Schengen visa photo.

Visa application form

The applicant's application form can be downloaded from the official website of the consulate or received on site. The document must be completed in English or Romanian (if the applicant speaks it at the required level).

You should include as much information as possible in the form to avoid possible problems. If the surname changes, you should enter the previous one (or previous ones, if the surname has changed more than once). You will also need information about place of residence and citizenship, surname and initials of parents, close relatives (parents, spouse, children).

You should be especially careful about your passport details and details of other documents, as a mistake can lead to a visa refusal. For the same reason, it is necessary to describe the purpose of the visit and indicate the place of residence in Romania.

If the travel is paid for by a sponsor, this must be declared. All information about financing is entered by the applicant into the application form and subsequently confirmed with documents.

At the end, you need to leave a contact phone number (when processing information, consulate staff may have questions). The form ends with a personal signature (corresponding to the one in the passport) and the date of completion.

Example of a visa application form.

Visa for minors

For parents traveling with children, the question of how to obtain a visa to Romania is especially important. The procedure for obtaining an entry permit for minors is almost the same as in the case of adults. However, there are some differences.

If the child has not yet received a passport, then the original and a copy of the birth certificate are provided to the visa department. Instead of a certificate from your place of work, a certificate from your school is taken. Sponsors are parents or public organizations if the trip is for the purpose of education or participation in sports competitions or Olympiads. For children under 14 years of age included in their parents' passports, a separate photograph is taken.

When a child travels abroad accompanied by one parent, the other must provide their permission.

If the trip is accompanied by third parties, then permission is issued by both parents. There is no need for such a document if the child is being raised by one parent, but the latter is required to document his status.

List of required documents for a Romanian tourist visa

Russians planning to visit the country will need to collect a certain number of documents. It includes:

International passport. The document must have at least 2 blank pages. The final validity period must exceed 3 months.
The application form is filled out and signed personally by the applicant for a visa.
Photos – 2 pcs., size 3.5x4.5 cm. The image must occupy at least 80% of the entire photo. The background is white or light beige (blue). The corners are straight, without rounding. The photo should not have a frame around it.
Internal passport (copy). Photocopy of all completed pages.
Pension certificate (if any).
Bank statements made on letterhead with stamps confirming financial solvency and solvency.
A certificate from your place of employment, printed on company letterhead. The main text indicates the position and the amount of annual income (preferably broken down by month). The certificate is certified by the signatures of the head of the organization, the chief accountant and the seal.
A document confirming the availability of a place to live for the applicant in Romania. It could be:

tourist voucher;
a fax with a stamp confirming the reservation of a hotel room (hotels), indicating all passport data;
a copy of the lease agreement for the apartment (house);
documents confirming the availability of your own home.

A document confirming the reservation of tickets with the exact dates of departure or departure from Russia and back from Romania.
Original and copy of health insurance. By the way, you can apply for insurance online here. The service will compare offers from several insurance companies, and you can choose the most profitable one.

If children under 18 years of age are traveling, a separate package is prepared for them:

foreign passport or birth certificate;
parents' passport (copy). A record of children is required;
notarized consent (power of attorney) of one of the parents, if only the mother/father goes on the trip. In cases where one of the parents has passed away, a death certificate must be added.

Tourists traveling in their own car will need, as an addition to the main package, to attach copies of the registration certificate, international driving license and insurance policy - Green Card.

All copies of documents are certified by a notary.

Application form for a visa to Romania: form and sample filling

The application (form) must be filled out in English. You can do this in 2 ways:

Print the form and fill it out manually. Use block letters, this eliminates misunderstandings, especially with illegible handwriting;
print on a computer, but you still have to use a printer.
At the end there must be the signature of the applicant.

In accordance with the type of visa, you must select a form. A sample of a completed application form for a short-term visa to Romania can be viewed below:

The application form and sample can be viewed by following the link:

For visa C – application form, sample filling
For visa D – application form, sample filling

The form must be filled out separately for minor children.

How much money should be in the account

One of the main requirements for obtaining a Romanian visa is the presence of a certain amount of funds in your accounts. The size is calculated based on the cost of living.

The applicant will be required to prove that he is able to spend an amount of 50 euros or more per day. Moreover, the total amount on all accounts is at least 500 euros for the trip.

Document cost

Visa costs consist of several categories. Firstly, the visa fee. Its size is fixed and does not depend on the purpose of the trip or its duration. For a short-term visa in 2020 it is 35 euros. If an urgent entry permit is required, the fee is doubled. For a long-term visa you will have to pay 120 euros. Secondly, a service fee, that is, payment for document processing services. It will also cost 35 euros.

Some categories of persons are exempt from paying the visa fee. First of all, these are high-ranking officials and members of official delegations. Ordinary citizens may not pay if they have documented that they are going to receive urgent medical care, visit a seriously ill relative, or bury someone. Accompanying persons are also exempt from paying the fee.

Romanian visa with expiration date.

Schoolchildren, undergraduate and graduate students traveling to Romania on an exchange program, as well as members of creative and sports groups are included in the category of persons exempt from paying the visa fee. Children under 6 years of age are also entitled to this benefit.

If the applicant lives in a sister city of any locality in Romania and there is an exchange program between them, the fee is not payable.

When traveling for the purpose of family reunification, the cost of the visa consists only of the service fee.

If a Romanian visa is issued through a tour operator, its cost increases. How much such an applicant will have to pay depends on the scope of services provided by the company. On average, the cost of mediation ranges from 130 to 260 euros.

Visa costs

How much do visas to Romania cost for a Russian? The standard price is 60 euros for visas of categories A, B and C. Or 120 euros for a visa of category D. Compared to Schengen, the cost is quite high, but you can save on hotels and air tickets, since they are cheaper than in other EU countries.

If you apply through a visa application center, you will need to pay a visa fee in addition to the above amount. Its value varies everywhere, but on average 20 euros per person.

Deadlines for registration and validity

The standard period for reviewing submitted documents and making a decision on them is 10 days. But due to various circumstances, this period may drag on for a whole month (for example, consulate staff will need to clarify some information, for which they will require additional certificates). If there are doubts about the applicant’s reliability, he may be invited to the consulate for an interview, based on the results of which a decision will be made.

Visa application.

The period for reviewing documents can be reduced if all requirements for submitting an application are met. It is better to submit documents without files and folders, and they must be laid out according to strict regulations. First comes the applicant's application form, then an invitation or certificate of residence in Romania, an insurance policy, and copies of round-trip tickets.

After these documents are placed certificates of employment and papers confirming the availability of funds for travel. The standard package ends with photocopies of pages of the internal and foreign passport.

If replacing an outdated passport with a new one coincides with the submission of a visa application, it is better to take the old document with you to avoid questions.

The presence of the applicant when drawing up the document is not mandatory (a power of attorney can be issued to a third party). Documents are submitted at the consulate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10.00 to 13.00. The address of the embassy in Moscow is Mosfilmovskaya street, 64. You can get advice by calling +7 (499) 143-04-30. Pre-registration is not provided, everything happens on a first-come, first-served basis. Visas are issued on the same days, but from 16.00 to 17.00.

Reasons for refusal

The desire to be included in the Schenge zone leads to the fact that in visa policy Romania is guided by other EU countries. Therefore, the reasons for refusal of entry permission are dictated by European standards. In particular, you may not receive a visa if your previous trip to any other country was marred by a violation of the laws.

The applicant may be on the list of unreliable persons for other reasons. One of these is the presence of a criminal record or the lack of solid evidence of financial well-being. You can say goodbye to your visa forever if forged or inaccurate documents were provided during application.

The most common reason for refusal, which does not entail inclusion in the “black list,” is that some certificates were missing or incorrectly laid out in the papers submitted for consideration.