Latest Information of Interest
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On December 30th, 2023, Council Decision (EU) 2024/210 of 30 December 2023 on the full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania was adopted. In accordance with the aforementioned Decision, Romania will become a Schengen Member State beginning with March 31st, 2024.
Starting with this date, air and sea border controls will be lifted.
At the same time, Romanian authorities will fully apply the Schengen acquis and will, subsequently, issue Schengen visas which will allow holders to travel within the Schengen area for stays not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period.
The short-stay visas issued by the Romanian authorities before March 31st, 2024 will continue to be valid until their expiry date but only for the territory of Romania and under the conditions set out in Decision No. 565/2014/EU. Therefore, if holders of a short-stay visa issued by Romania intend to travel to the Schengen Area, they will have to apply for a visa from the authorities of the Schengen State to which they intend to travel.
From March 31st, 2024, in accordance with Article 6 of the Schengen Borders Code, the maximum duration of the authorized stay on the territory of the Schengen States for third-country nationals, regardless of whether they are required to hold a visa or are exempt from such a requirement, may not exceed a total of „90 days in any 180-day period”, irrespective of the type of passport they possess.
- Information of interest for the holders of passports issued by Kosovo
As of January 1st 2024 the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2023/850 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 19th 2013 amending the Regulation (EC) No 2018/1806 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement shall apply regarding the holders of biometric passports issues by Kosovo* in line with the standars of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), who may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.- Suspension in whole of the application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Vanuatu on short-stay visa waiver
On 8th November 2022, Council Decision (EU) 2198/2022 on the suspension in whole of the application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Vanuatu on the short-stay visa waiver was adopted.
The Council Decision applies from 4th February 2023.
Thus, as from 4th February 2023, the application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Vanuatu on short-stay visa waiver for citizens of the Republic of Vanuatu as regards nationals of Vanuatu is suspended.- Information of interest:
As of August 1st 2023, letters of guarantee for short-stay visas for business purposes (symbol C/A) will be submitted according to the following schedule:
Thursday: 09:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 15:00
Friday: 09:00 - 13:00
Letters of guarantee will be registered, only during the above mentioned working hours, at the following address: Aleea Alexandru nr. 24, sector 1, Bucharest.- Clarifications regarding the recognition of Romanian visas by the Republic of Bulgaria in the context of Decision No. 565/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 introducing a simplified regime for the control of persons at the external borders based on the unilateral recognition by Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania of certain documents as equivalent to their national visas for transit through or intended stays on their territories not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period and repealing Decisions No 895/2006/EC and No 582/2008/EC
As per Decision of Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria no. 284 of April 12th 2023 (published in State Gazette no. 36 of 2023), Decision no. 459 of 2014 approving the application of Decision No 565/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 (published in State Gazette no. 56 of 2014) has been modified and amended and Decision no. 48 of 2012 regarding the application of a visa free regime for holders of valid uniform (Schengen) visas, valid long-stay visas and residence permits issued by Member States that fully apply the Schengen acquis, as well as Switzerland and Liechtenstein has been repealed.
Therefore, as of April 21st 2023, the Republic of Bulgaria recognizes „the national short-stay visa or national long-stay visa issued by the Republic of Cyprus or by Romania as per the uniform format established by Council Regulation (EC) no. 1683/95, valid for two or multiple entries, solely after such visa has been used once to gain entry into the issuing state; or a residence permit issued by the Republic of Cyprus or by Romania as per the uniform format established by Council Regulation (EC) 1030/2002, except for cases where such visas and residence permits are applied on travel documents which these Member States do not recognize or on travel documents issued by a third country with whom these do not have diplomatic relations with”.
- Council Decision (EU) 2022/1500 of 9 September 2022 on the suspension in whole of the application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of the European Union and the Russian Federation.
On the 9th September 2022 it has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union nr. L234/09.09.2022 the Council Decision (EU) 2022/1500 of 9 September 2022 on the suspension in whole of the application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of the European Union and the Russian Federation, according to which, in line with the provisions of Article 1, the application of the Agreement is suspended in whole as regards citizens of the Russian Federation, as from 12 September 2022. For more details, click here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022D1500&from=EN
- Partial suspension of the application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Vanuatu on short-stay visa waiver
On 3 March 2022, Council Decision (EU) 366/2022 on the partial suspension of the application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Vanuatu on the short-stay visa waiver was adopted.
The Council Decision entered into force on the date of publication (3 March 2022) and applies from 4 May 2022.
Thus, as from 4 May 2022, the application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Vanuatu on short-stay visa waiver for citizens of the Republic of Vanuatu holding ordinary passports issued by the Republic of Vanuatu as from 25 May 2015 is suspended.
The Council Decision does not affect holders of ordinary passports issued before 25 May 2015, holders of diplomatic, official or service passports, who continue to benefit from the visa-free regime upon entry into the territory of Romania.
- Partial suspension of agreements regarding faclitation on the issuance of visas to the citizens of the Russian Federation.
In line with Council Decision (EU) 2022/333 of 25 February 2022 on the partial suspension of the application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of the European Union and the Russian Federation, Romania has decided to also suspend the provisions of the bilateral Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of Russian Federation on bilateral travels of citizens, signed in Bucharest on August 26, 2002.
The provisions of article 5, para 3 and 4 of the Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of Russian Federation with regard to visa exemptions for the members of the diplomatic missions and consular posts, and their family members are still in force. For more details click here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022D0333
- Information of interest to British nationals
Subsequent to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and to the end of the transition period (December 31st 2020), starting January 1st 2021, the following requirements apply to British nationals: -They are exempt from the Romanian visa for airport transit, for transit and from the short-stay visa requirement for stays of no more than 90 days throughout any 180-day period that precedes each day of stay on the territory of Romania; -British nationals are subject to the Romanian long-stay visa requirement (marked D), for stays of more than 90 days throughout any 180-day period that precedes each day of stay on the territory of Romania. Obtaining a D-type visa grants holders the possibility that after they enter Romania, they apply for the temporary extension of their stay, which entails the issuance of a residence permit.
The above-mentioned requirements are not applicable to British nationals who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (who are present in Romania on December 31st and continue to remain on the territory of Romania after January 1st 2021). For preliminary information regarding the status of beneficiary of the WA and the registration procedure, please go to:
https://www.mai.gov.ro/cetatenii-britanici-in-context-brexit/
- Information of interest to British nationals and their respective family members, who are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, starting with January 1st 2021
Given the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union, starting December 1st 2020, Romanian authorities put into effect the provisions of Government Emergency Ordinance N⁰204/2020 for the establishment of steps towards the implementation of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, as regards the regulation of the right of entry and stay into Romania, published in the Official Journal of Romania, Part I, N⁰1132 of November 25th 2020. The legal instrument can be consulted here: https://eviza.mae.ro/media/2042/201130_ordonanta-de-urgenta-a-guvernului-ref-cl_en.pdf
The scope of the above-mentioned Emergency Ordinance establishes the implementation of the provisions of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (Withdrawal Agreement), as regards entry into Romania and the establishment of the right of residence in Romania for British nationals and their family members who are „beneficiaries of Article 50 TEU”. Government Emergency Ordinance N⁰204/2020 establishes a simplified regime for British nationals and for their family members with legal residence into Romania before the date of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, as well as for those who intend to travel to Romania after the end of the transition period, on December 31st 2020.
In order to travel to Romania in view of applying for their new status on the grounds of Government Emergency Ordinance N⁰204/2020 family members of British nationals who are beneficiaries of Article 50 TEU, shall apply for the C/ZA-type of Romanian entry visa. For more details in this regard, please consult the information available here CLICK HERE.
- Information of interest for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Serbia and of Ukraine – Amendments to the legal framework related to conditions of exemption of citizens of the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Serbia and of Ukraine from the obligation of obtaining work permits
In the context of the latest amendments to the legal framework in force (namely, Law Nº 200/10.09.2020 for the supplementation of Government Emergency Ordinance Nº 194/2002 on the regime of aliens in Romania and of Government Ordinance Nº25/2014 on employment and secondment of aliens in Romania), citizens of the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Serbia and of Ukraine, who carry out lucrative activities on the territory of Romania, with a full-time individual employment contract, for a maximum period of 9 months in a calendar year, are exempt from obtaining an employment permit.
Therefore, the citizens of said third-states, who want to carry out lucrative activities in Romania under the new regulations, can apply for the Romanian long-stay visa for employment (marked D/AM), without the obligation of submitting a copy of the employment permit. It is hereby highlighted that the "calendar year" has 365 days and is counted January 1st to December 31st.
- Information of interest for the citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the UK), as well as for third-state nationals who are family members of citizens of the UK
Subsequent to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the UK) from the European Union (the EU), please note that on the grounds of the Withdrawal Agreement concluded thereby, the rights to free movement and the visa regime and remain unchanged for the citizens of the UK until December 31st 2020, as well as for their third-state national family members. It is hereby particularly stressed that until December 31st 2020, the visa regime applicable to third-state nationals who are family members of UK citizens remains the same as that applicable in the case of third-state nationals who are the family members of any EU citizen and the provisions of Directive 2004/38/CE on free movement will continue to be put into effect (details here: http://www.mae.ro/en/node/48265)- Information of interest for the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Russian Federation, Georgia, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Montenegro, the Republic of Serbia, Ukraine, the Republic of Azerbaijan and of the Republic of Cape Verde.
In line with the provisions of the agreements concluded between the European Union and the aforementioned third-countries on the facilitation of the issuance of visas for an indefinite period, the citizens of the third-country parties to those agreements, who have lost their identity documents or who have had said documents stolen while on the territory of Romania or while in other Member States of the European Union, may leave Romania or transit the territory of Romania on the grounds of valid identity documents entitling them to cross the border issued by the diplomatic missions or consular posts of their country of origin for their return home, without any visa or other authorisation.
These facilitations provided in the agreements shall apply to the citizens of said third-countries who are in the situation mentioned above, provided the following conditions are met:
- They are in possession of a valid travel document, recognized by the Romanian state for the purpose of transit through the territory of Romania, for return to their state of origin;
- The route of the trip is naturally towards their country of origin or residence.- Information of interest for the citizens of the Sultanate of Oman, holders of diplomatic, special and service passports
As of April 13th 2019, the Agreement on the abolishment of the visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports, concluded between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, signed in Muscat, on November 5th 2018, has entered into force. Therefore, as of April 13th 2019, citizens of the Sultanate of Oman, holders of diplomatic, special or service passports may travel to Romania without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days in any 180 days.
In keeping with the provisions of Article 1 of the Agreement, “citizens of each Party, holders of valid diplomatic, special and service passports, may enter, transit or remain on the territory of the other Party for a period of up to (90) ninety days in any period of (180) one hundred and eighty days”. The same exemption is applicable in the case of members of diplomatic missions and consular posts of each Party on the territory of the other Party, as well as their family members, who accompany them, provided they themselves are holders of valid diplomatic, special or service passports, on the condition that their appointment has been notified to the other Party in writing, via diplomatic channels, at least (30) days before the beginning of their posting.- Travel alert – Polioviruses:
For individuals from Afghanistan, Madagascar, Pakistan, and Yemen who wish to travel to Romania, the obligation for OPV (oral polio vaccine) or IPV (injectable polio vaccine) vaccination is maintained. The aforementioned categories of persons do not have the right to leave the territories of said states, regardless of the border crossing point (road, sea, air), without documents that attest to antipolio vaccination, the authorities of said states having the right to prohibit that they leave the territory.
To avoid such situations, persons from the aforementioned categories, who apply for Romanian entry visas, are required to submit their international vaccination certificates that attest to their antipolio vaccination. For citizens from the aforementioned states that have not been vaccinated in the past 12 months, vaccination shall be made 4 weeks prior to the trip or, in cases of emergency, right before the trip.
Proof of antipolio vaccination is no longer required for individuals from China.
Also, it is recommended that individuals from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, D.R. Congo, Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Iran, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Tajikistan, Togo, Ukraine and Uganda undergo vaccination before applying for a Romanian visa.
- Information of interest for the citizens of the Arab Republic of Egipt, holders of diplomatic and service passports:
As of January 18th 2018, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the abolishment of the visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and service passports, concluded between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, signed at Bucharest, on August 29th 2017, has entered into force. Therefore, as of January 18th 2018, citizens of The Arab Republic of Egypt, holders of diplomatic or service passports may travel to Romania without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days in any 180 days.
In keeping with the provisions of Article 1, Para.(2) of the MoU, “citizens of the Arab Republic of Egypt, members of diplomatic missions and consular posts, of commercial bureaus and international organizations representative bodies in Romania, holders of valid diplomatic and service passports, as well as Romanian citizens, members of diplomatic missions and consular posts, of commercial bureaus and international organizations representative bodies in the Arab Republic of Egypt, holders of valid diplomatic and service passports may enter and remain on the territory of the of the other Party for the duration of their mission, on the grounds of the prior notification of their names”. The same exemption is applicable in the case of the family members of the aforementioned persons, who accompany them, provided that themselves are holders of valid diplomatic passports.
- Information of interest for the citizens who undergo professional sports activities within a sports club registered in Romania:
Following the entry into force of Order of the minister of youth and sports nº631/2017 regarding the approval of the template for the framework contract for sports activities, a new structure/template was established for the contract concluded between a professional sportsperson and a sports club, therein comprising the financial rights granted to the sportsperson for their activity, payment methods and timeline, as well as other rights and responsibilities of the parties. The structure/template of the framework contract is laid out in the annex to Order nº631/2017 and it is required that the official document is drafted in keeping with this template, by all sports clubs.
The new provisions impact those third-state nationals who undergo professional sports activities within a sports club registered in Romania; this category of third-state nationals must submit the official contract in keeping with the legal text mentioned above, upon submission of a long-stay visa for other purposes (identified as D/AS).- Information of interest for the citizens of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka holders of diplomatic passports:
As of October 26th 2017, the Agreement on abolishing visa requirements for the holders of diplomatic and service passports between the Government of Romania and the Government of The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, signed at Bucharest, on June the 29th 2017, shall enter into force. Therefore, as of October 26th 2017, citizens of The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, holders of diplomatic passports may travel to Romania without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days in any 180 days.- Information of interest for holders of „Laissez-Passers” issued by the United Nations:
As of November 7th, 2017, in accordance with the provisions of Romanian Government Decision no. 793/2017 regarding the unilateral exception of a certain category of third-state nationals from the requirement of the Romanian short-stay visa, holders of blue and red cover „Laissez-Passers” issued by the United Nations (except for blue cover UN Laissez-Passers, inscribed with numerical series preceded by the letter A) are exempt from the requirement of being in possession of a Romanian short-stay visa for stays that do not exceed 90 days within any 180 days. Entry in Romania, with visa exemption, shall be granted to the category of aliens mentioned above only provided that, along with said travel document, a certificate that attests their travel for official purposes is submitted.PLEASE NOTE! Holders of blue cover UN Laissez-Passers, inscribed with numerical series preceded by the letter A, are still subject to the Romanian short-stay visa requirement.- Information of interest for the citizens of the People’s Republic of China:
As of September 15th 2017, as per the provisions of Order no.1626 of September 6th 2017 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding the modification of the Annex to Order no.1743/2010 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding the approval of the revised list of states for whose citizens the invitation procedure is mandatory for granting short-stay visas for entrance into the territory of Romania, the citizens of the People’s Republic of China are no longer subject to the obligation to obtain an invitation approved by the General Inspectorate for Immigration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for the purpose of requesting a Romanian short-stay visa for business, tourism or private visits.- Information of interest for the citizens of Ukraine:
As of June 11th 2017 the Regulation (EU) 2017/850 of the European Parliament and of the Council of May 17th 2017 amending the Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose national must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (Ukraine) shall enter into force. Therefore, as of June 11th 2017 all citizens of the Ukraine, bearers of biometrics passports, issued by Ukraine in line with standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Information of interest for the citizens of Islamic Republic of Iran holders of diplomatic and service passports:
As of May 26th 2017, the Memorandum of understanding on abolishing visa requirements for the holders of diplomatic and service passports between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, signed at Bucharest, on November 9th 2016, shall enter into force. Therefore, as of May 26th 2017, citizens of Islamic Republic of Iran, holders of diplomatic or service passports may travel to Romania without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days in any 180 days.- Information of interest for the citizens of Georgia:
As of March 28th 2017 the Regulation (EU) 2017/372 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 1 March 217 amending the Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose national must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders ant those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (Georgia) shall enter into force. Therefore, as of March 28th 2017 all citizens of the Georgia, bearers of biometrics passports, issued by Georgia in line with standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Facilities for third-state nationals undergoing activities on offshore installations:
Following its publication in the Official Journal of Romania, on December 22nd 2016, Government Decision no.970/2016 regarding the granting of short-term facilities, for short-stay Romanian visa applications for certain categories of third-state nationals undergoing activities on offshore installations came into force, abolishing the provisions of Government Decision no.530/2013.
Government Decision no.790/2016 is applicable in the case of third-state nationals who will undergo activities on offshore installations located in the Romanian exclusive maritime economic area, for Romanian and foreign legal persons, undergoing exploitation, development, exploitation of the natural resources in territorial seas, contiguous areas and the exclusive economic area of the Romanian state. Third-state nationals undergoing the mentioned activities will be able to apply for short-stay visas for business purposes, marked by the symbol C/A, under the conditions provided for in the Government Decision.
Therefore, it is to be underlined that, on the grounds of the provisions of Government Decision no.790/2016, the legal persons mentioned above must forward to the National Visa Center, within a 30-day time period, the list of all third-state nationals who are designated to request short-stay visas for the beginning stages of exploitation, development and exploitation, as well as any changes made to this list.- Information of interest for the citizens of Republic of Indonesia holders of diplomatic and service passports:
As of November 2th 2016, the Agreement on abolishing visa requirements for the holders of diplomatic and service passports between the Government of Romania and the Government of The Republic of indonesia, signed at New York, on Semptember the 24th 2016, shall enter into force. Therefore, as of November 2th 2016, citizens of The Republic of Indomesia, holders of diplomatic or service passports may travel to Romania without a visa for a period of no more than 30 days in any 180 days.- Information of interest for the citizens of Solomon Islands:
As of Octomber 7th 2016 the Agreement between the European Union and the Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver (for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period) shall provisionally apply. Therefore, as of Octomber 8th 2016 all citizens of the Solomon Islands, bearers of simple, diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Information of interest for the citizens of Ukraine:
Starting with October 21st, 2016 the provisions of the Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the exemption from visa fees for the issuance of long stay visas shall apply.
According to the provisions of Article 2 of the Agreement, "Each Party shall eliminate consular fees for the issuing of long-stay visas for citizens of the other party".- Information of interest for the citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia:
As of September 20th 2016 the Agreement between the European Union and the Federated States of Micronesia on the short-stay visa waiver (for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period) shall apply. Therefore, as of September 20th 2016 all citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia , bearers of simple, diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Information of interest for the citizens of Republic of Azerbaijan holders of service passports:
As of August 25th 2016, the Agreement on abolishing visa requirements for the holders of service passports between the Government of Romania and the Government of The Republic of Azerbaijan, signed at Baku, on March the 10th 2016, shall enter into force. Therefore, as of August 25th 2016, citizens of The Republic of Azerbaijan, holders of diplomatic or special passports may travel to Romania without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days in any 180 days.- Information of interest for the citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic :
As of July 5th 2016 the Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on the abolition of visa requirements for bearers of diplomatic and service passports, signed in Bishkek on June 16th 2015, shall enter into force.
As per the provisions of the bilateral Agreement, citizens of either Party, who are bearers of diplomatic or service passports, may enter, transit and stay on the territory of the other Party for a time period of 90 days in any 180-day period. Also, the citizens of the two states which are bearers of diplomatic or service passports, and are members of diplomatic missions or consular offices of the two states, shall be exempted, for the duration of their accreditation in this capacity, from the obligation to hold an entry or residence visa.- Information of interest for the citizens of Tuvalu:
As of July 1st 2016 the Agreement between the European Union and Tuvalu on the short-stay visa waiver (for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period) shall provisionally apply. Therefore, as of July 2nd 2016 all citizens of Tuvalu, holders of simple, diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Information of interest for the citizens of Republic of the Marshall Islands:
As of June 28th 2016 the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the short-stay visa waiver (for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period) shall provisionally apply. Therefore, as of June 28th 2016 all citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, holders of simple, diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Information of interest for the citizens of Kiribati:
As of June 24th 2016 the Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Kiribati on the short-stay visa waiver (for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period) shall provisionally apply. Therefore, as of June 24th 2016 all citizens of the Republic of Kirinati, bearers of simple, diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Information of interest for the citizens of Republic of Peru:
As of March 15th 2016 the Agreement between the European Union and the republic of Peru on the short-stay visa waiver (for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period) shall provisionally apply. Therefore, as of March 15th 2016 all citizens of the Republic of Peru, bearers of simple, diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Information of interest for the citizens of the Republic of Korea:
As of March 13th 2016 the Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Korea, amending the Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Korea on the abolition of visa requirements which entered into force through an exchange of notes on May 22, 1996, has entered into force. The main modification refers to the exemption from the long-stay visa (type D) for certain categories of persons and under certain circumstances.
As per the new provisions of the Agreement, “citizens of either country, who are seconded to the representative offices of companies located and carrying out commercial activities in the territory of the other country or who have signed labor contracts with a company located and carrying out commercial activities in the territory of the other country, shall be allowed to enter the territory of the other country without a visa for a stay not exceeding ninety (90) days in any 180 day period”.
As such, the citizens of the Republic of Korea shall be able to enter the territory of Romania and request the issuing of a residence permit for the purpose of work without holding a D/AM or D/DT long-stay visa, without instituting an exemption for the employer from requesting the labor/secondment authorizations for said Korean citizens.- Information of interest for the citizens of the People’s Republic of China:
As of March 3rd 2016 the Agreement between the European Union and China on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports shall be provisionally applicable.
The scope of the EU-China Agreement is the exemption from the visa requirement for EU and, respectively, Chinese citizens, bearers of a valid diplomatic passport or a EU laissez-passer, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period.
Article 5 of the Agreement establishes a special procedure for visits to be made by high-level officials (starting with the rank of vice-minister within the central government authorities or major-general within the armed forces) which shall have to send notification, prior to the visit, to the competent authorities of the EU member states or of the People’s Republic of China.
In addition to the provisions of the EU-China Agreement, the Bilateral Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Romania and the Government of the People’s Republic of China as regards the exemption from visa requirements and visa fees, signed in Beijing on April 25th 1981, as amended in 2010 via the Agreement for modification made through the exchange of Verbal Notes, shall remain in force as regards the following aspects:
• The exemption from the visa requirement for bearers of service passports for a time priod of 30 days;
• The exemption from the visa requirement for the members of diplomatic missions and their family members, which may remain on the territory of the other party throughout the duration of their mission.- Information of interest for the citizens of Republic of Cuba holders of diplomatic, service/official or special passports:
As of December 27th 2015, the Agreement on abolishing visa requirements for the holders of diplomatic and special passports between the Government of Romania and the Government of The Republic of Cuba, signed at Havana, on May the 26th 2015, shall enter into force. Therefore, as of December 27th 2015, citizens of The Republic of Cuba, holders of diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel to Romania without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days in any 180 days.- Information of interest for the citizens of Qatar holders of diplomatic and special passports:
As of December 11th 2015, the Agreement on abolishing visa requirements for the holders of diplomatic and special passports between the Government of Romania and the Government of The State of Qatar, signed at Doha, on May the 3rd 2015, shall enter into force. Therefore, as of December 11th 2015, citizens of The State of Qatar, holders of diplomatic or special passports may travel to Romania without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days in any 180 days.- Information of interest for the citizens of the Republic of Palau:
As of December 8th 2015 the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Palau on the short-stay visa waiver (for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period) shall provisionally apply. Therefore, as of December 8th 2015 all citizens of the Republic of Palau, bearers of simple, diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Information of interest for the citizens of Colombia:
As of December 3rd 2015 the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Colombia on the short-stay visa waiver (for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period) shall provisionally apply. Therefore, as of December 3rd 2015 all citizens of the Republic of Colombia, bearers of simple, diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Information of interest for the citizens of Tonga:
As of November 21st 2015 the Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Tonga on the short-stay visa waiver (for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period) shall provisionally apply. Therefore, as of November 21st 2015 all citizens of the Kingdom of Tonga, bearers of simple, diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Information of interest for nationals of Kuwait, holders of diplomatic, service or special passports:
Starting October 30th 2015, the Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the State of Kuwait on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports entered into force. Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of said Agreement, as of October 30th 2015, nationals of the State of Kuwait who hold diplomatic, service or special passports, may travel to Romania without a visa for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day’ period.- Information of interest for the citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Independent State of Samoa, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Vanuatu:
As of May 28th 2015 the Agreements between the European Union and the Commonwealth of Dominica, between the European Union and the Grenada, between the European Union and the Saint Lucia, between the European Union and the Commonwealth of Dominica, between the European Union and and Saint Vincent and the Grenadine, between the European Union and the Independent State of Samoa, between the European Union and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, between the European Union and the Republic of Vanuatu on the short-stay visa waiver (for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period) shall provisionally apply. Therefore, as of May 28th 2015 all citizens of the aforementioned states, bearers of simple, diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Information of interest for the citizens of Timor-Leste:
As of May 26th 2015 the Agreement between the European Union and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on the short-stay visa waiver (for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day time period) shall provisionally apply. Therefore, as of May 26th 2015, all citizens of Timor-Leste, bearers of simple, diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel without a visa to the European Union and, therefore, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period.- Information of interest for citizens of the United Arab Emirates:
The Agreement between the European Union and the United Arab Emirates on the short-stay visa waiver (for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 day time period) shall provisionally apply As of May 6th 2015. Therefore, as of May 6th 2015, any and all citizens of the United Arab Emirates bearing simple, diplomatic, service/official or special passports may travel without a visa to the EU and, implicitly, to Romania, for a time period of no more than 90 days in any 180 day time period.- Information of interest for the nationals of the Republic of Cape Verde:
Starting with December 1st 2014 the Agreement between the the European Union and the Republic of Cape Verde on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation enters into force. The provisions of the above-mentioned agreement can be consulted here.- Information of interest for the nationals of the Republic of Azerbaijan:
Starting with September 1st 2014 the AGREEMENT between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan on the facilitation of the issuance of visas enters into force.
- STARTING JULY 11TH 2014, ROMANIA APPLIES THE PROVISIONS OF DECISION NO. 565/2014/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL , WHICH CAN BE CONSULTED HERE:
DECISION No. 565/2014/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
- Amendment of Regulation (EC) 539/2001
On May 20th 2014 Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement was published in the Official Gazette.
Please see the following pages for details:
- Information of Interest for Nationals of the Republic of Moldova
Given the entry into force of Regulation (EU) no 259/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement, starting with April 28th 2014, nationals of the Republic of Moldova, holders of simple biometric passports, are exempt from the short-stay visa requirement for entry on the territories of the Member States. The Republic Of Moldova is hence transferred on Annex II of the above mentioned Regulation.
According to the provisions of the legal instrument referred to above, nationals of the Republic of Moldova are thus allowed entry on the territory of the Member States, including Romania, without holding a short-stay visa, for no longer than 90 days throughout any 180-day period prior to the estimated date of the journey.
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This material does not represent the official position of the European Union or the Romanian Government
- Information of interest for the holders of passports issued by Kosovo