Romania became a full member of the Schengen Area as of 1 January 2025
. This requires ordinary (maroon) passport holders from the Republic of Turkey to obtain a Schengen visa for short-term travel. This guide details the Romanian visa types, official e-Viza application processes, and technical requirements valid as of 2026.
1. Conceptual Distinction Between Entry Procedures
The procedure applied upon entry into Romania is clearly distinguished based on the type of passport held and the intended length of stay. Understanding this distinction is critical for selecting the correct application channel:
|
Passport Type
|
Applicable Procedure
|
Maximum Length of Stay
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ordinary (Maroon) Passport
|
Schengen Visa Mandatory
|
90 days within 180 days
|
|
Special (Green) Passport
|
Visa Exemption
|
90 days within 180 days
|
|
Service (Gray) Passport
|
Visa Exemption
|
90 days within 180 days
|
|
Diplomatic (Black) Passport
|
Visa Exemption
|
90 days within 180 days
|
2. Application Process and Technical Details
Romanian visa applications are initiated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania's official e-Viza portal (eviza.mae.ro) and evaluated by the relevant diplomatic mission. The process involves the following concrete steps:
- Passport Validity: Under Schengen regulations, the passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure date from Romania. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey stipulates that Turkish citizens' passports must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry into Romania
. Therefore, the 6-month rule should be taken as the standard.www.mfa.gov.tr
- Biometric Data: Applicants who have not provided fingerprints during a previous Schengen visa application (within the last 59 months) will have 10 fingerprints and a digital photograph taken during submission.
- Document Upload: Documents uploaded to the e-Viza system should be clearly legible and translated into Romanian or English by a certified translator.
- Travel Health Insurance: A policy valid across all Schengen states, fully covering the travel dates, with minimum coverage of 30.000 Eur must be submitted.
3. Romanian Visa Categories
The contents of the application file are structured according to the purpose of travel. The table below summarizes the most frequently requested categories:
|
Visa Category
|
System Type
|
Visa Required? (Maroon Passport)
|
Application Channel
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Type A (Airport Transit)
|
International transit area only
|
✅ Yes (Depending on nationality)
|
e-Viza / Consulate
|
|
Type C (Short-Stay)
|
Tourism, Business, Visit (under 90 days)
|
✅ Yes
|
e-Viza + Consulate
|
|
Type D (National)
|
Stays exceeding 90 days (Employment, Education)
|
✅ Yes
|
e-Viza + Consulate
|
4. Frequently Encountered Issues and Common Errors
The most common technical errors and grounds for refusal in Romanian visa applications include:
- Misconception Regarding Passport Validity: Focusing solely on the standard Schengen 3-month rule while ignoring the 6-month validity requirement specifically stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey for Romania may result in boarding refusal by the airline
.www.mfa.gov.tr
- Seeking the Former Type B Transit Visa: With Romania's full accession to Schengen, former overland transit visa practices are now governed by Schengen rules, making Type A or Type C visas applicable.
- Type D Visa Fee Confusion: As of 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania updated the fee for new Type D long-stay visa applications to 300 Eur. Budgeting based on the former 120 Eur rates will lead to disruptions during the application stage.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How long does it take to process my Romanian visa application? A: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania recommends submitting short-stay visa applications at least 3 weeks prior to the intended travel date. While the standard processing time is 15 calendar days, this period may be extended in cases requiring additional examination.
Q: Can I travel to other Schengen countries with a Romanian visa? A: Yes. A valid Schengen visa issued by Romania allows travel to other Schengen countries within the territorial validity and permitted duration of stay specified on the visa. However, the visa application must be submitted to the primary destination of the trip.
Q: Why did the Romanian Type D visa fee increase? A: As of 2026, Romanian authorities established the standard fee for new Type D long-stay visa applications processed through the e-Viza portal at 300 Eur. This fee must be verified in the official system during application.
📚 Official Sources and Verifications Used
The procedures outlined in this guide have been compiled by verifying the current requirements of the following official institutions:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey: mfa.gov.tr (Requirement for the passport to be valid for at least 6 months upon entry into Romania)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey: mfa.gov.tr (Romania's full accession to the Schengen Area as of 1 January 2025)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania (e-Viza): eviza.mae.ro (Official visa types, application steps, and current fee schedules)
Last Updated: 6 Eylül 2026. Romanian visa fees, Schengen implementation rules, and passport validity requirements are subject to immediate changes based on official decisions. For final procedures, always refer to the Romanian e-Viza portal or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey.