A part of Eastern Europe, Romania is considered a hidden gem, mostly because it is not as popular as the other European countries. But many travelers prefer Romania over other countries, as it is less crowded and has much to offer. Right from its rich history (which goes to prehistoric times) and stunning architecture to its exciting culture and mouthwatering food, Romania has all the ingredients for a perfect holiday. But Romania not being a part of the Schengen zone requires people to get a Romania visa before traveling to the country. Here are all the details about Romania visa for UAE residents.
Romania Visa Types for UAE Residents
Four types of Romania visas are available as per your travel purposes. A UAE resident who does not belong to a Romania visa exempt country will have to apply for one beforehand. Here are the types of Romania visas available:
Type A (Airport Transit Visa): You need this visa while traveling to a foreign destination through Romania. This visa allows you to be in the international area of an airport in Romania.
Type B (Transit Visa): The type B Romania visa is for those who want to transit through the Romanian airport multiple times. However, this is valid only for five days, i.e., a person can use it for multiple transits but within five days.
Type C (Short Stay Visa): This is the visa you need to visit Romania for tourism. This is a short-stay visa that lets you stay in Romania for 90 days, within a period of six months. Other than tourism, it can be used for business and private visits. People visiting Romania to attend sport activities, official government mission, and cultural, academic, and scientific events are also issued with this visa. You cannot apply for a permanent residence while in Romania on a short stay visa.
Type D (Long Stay Visa): You need this visa if you want to stay in Romania for more than 90 days for work, study, or family reunification purposes. If you have the long stay visa, you can apply for a Romania residence permit when in the country and extend your stay till the validity of your PR expires.
Rule Exception: Travelers with a valid Schengen visa can visit the country without a Romania visa, only if they have already been to at least two Schengen countries.
Who Needs Romania Visa?
As a UAE resident, you may need a Romania visa depending on the country you belong to. For instance, UAE citizens are eligible for visa on arrival in Romania for a short time and so are USA citizens. But if you are not from one of the visa-exempt countries, you must apply for a visa beforehand. Here are the countries that need Romania visa to visit the country:
Afghanistan | Algeria | Angola | Armenia | Azerbaijan | Bahrain | Bangladesh | Belarus |
Belize | Benin | Bhutan | Bolivia | Botswana | Burkina Faso | Myanmar | Burundi |
Cambodia | Cameroon | Cabo Verde | Central African Republic | Chad | China | Republic of the Congo | Ivory Coast |
Cuba | Democrati Republic of Congo | Djibouti | Dominican Republic | Ecuador | Egypt | Equatorial Guinea | Eritrea |
Eswatini | Ethiopia | Fiji | Gabon | Gambia | Ghana | Guinea | Guinea-Bissau |
Guyana | Haiti | India | Indonesia | Iran | Iraq | Jamaica | Jordan |
Kazakhstan | Kenya | Kuwait | Kyrgyzstan | Laos | Lebanon | Lesotho | Liberia |
Libya | Madagascar | Malawi | Maldives | Mali | Mauritania | Mongolia | Morocco |
Mozambique | Namibia | Nauru | Nepal | Niger | Nigeria | North Korea | Oman |
Pakistan | Papua New Guinea | Philippines | Qatar | Russia | Rwanda | Sao Tome and Principe | Saudi Arabia |
Senegal | Sierra Leone | Somalia | South Africa | Sri Lanka | Sudan | Suriname | Syria |
Tajikistan | Tanzania | Thailand | Comoros | Togo | Tunisia | Turkey | Turkmenistan |
Uganda | Uzbekistan | Vietnam | Yemen | Zambia | Zimbabwe |
Documents Required for Romania Visa for UAE Residents
The documents you submit become the crux of your visa application. As a UAE resident applying for Romania visa, you need to ensure that you submit all the right documents to get your visa on time. Here are the important documents you need to submit for Romania visa processing:
Romania Visa Application Form: You need to download the visa application form as per the type of visa you need. You need to fill in the form digitally (typed), take a printout, and then sign it. In the case of minors, parents or a legal guardian should sign the form.
Passport: A passport with a minimum of three months’ validity is the most important document for visa application. It should not be older than 10 years and should have at least two blank pages for the visa stamp. Make sure that your passport is recognized by the Romanian government.
Two Photographs: Two passport size photographs (3 cm x 4 cm) are mandatory with your Romania visa application. The background of the photo should be plain white. Keep your expression neutral and avoid wearing any head gear (unless for religious reasons). If you wear glasses, make sure they do not create glares or shadows on your face.
Proof of Finances: Your official bank statements will provide proof that you can support yourself during your holiday in Romania. You should have a minimum of AED 1,997 in your bank account.
Proof of Accommodation: If you are visiting a friend or family member in Romania, an invitation letter should be part of the documents you submit. If not, you need to provide proof of your hotel reservation or rental agreement in the country.
Flight Ticket: You need to book your flight tickets prior to applying for the visa, as you need to provide your confirmed return flight tickets as proof.
Medical Insurance: A medical travel insurance that costs at least AED 119,852 is a must while applying for a Romania visa. This insurance should cover all medical emergencies, including death.
Invitation Letter: People traveling to Romania for reasons like business meeting, cultural event, or sports tournament must submit a letter of invitation from the concerned party. The purpose of your trip should be clearly mentioned in the letter.
You may have to submit additional documents as per the purpose of your visit as well as the type of visa you are applying for.
How to Apply for Romania Visa from UAE
The application for a Romania visa from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates must be done both online and offline. Here are the steps you need to follow while applying for Romania visa from UAE.
1. Online Application: The first step is to submit the application form and the documents online. You need to scan the documents in jpeg, tif, png, jpg, pdf, txt, bmp, or rtf format before submitting. Make sure the size of the documents does not exceed 2 MB. The documents should be either English or Romanian. Documents in any other language will not be acceptable.
2. Visa Appointment: Once you have submitted the visa application, the next step is to take a visa appointment. On the date of the appointment, you need to submit the originals at the Romanian embassy or consulate. The officials will verify each and every document before approving your visa application.
3. Visa Fee: After submitting the documents, you need to pay the visa fee. The Romania embassy visa fee will depend on the type of visa you are applying for. You will get a visa fee receipt that you need to produce to retrieve your passport.
4. Receive Your Visa: Once you submit your visa application at the embassy, it may take 10-14 business days for you to receive your Romania visa. You can track the status of your visa application through the official website. You need to go to the embassy to get your visa stamped passport and other original documents.
Getting a Romania visa in UAE is smooth sailing if you have all the right documents and follow the steps correctly. You can also consult a visa expert if you find the visa process too cumbersome. A visa expert will guide you through the entire process smoothly.
Santosh Kadam is a travel lover and a full-time expert visa consultant. He has all kinds of visa related information on his fingertips and loves to blog about visa processes during his free time.