COVID-19 – Information to the attention of third-state nationals and stateless persons who are required to hold an entry visa for Romania
- LATEST UPDATE on SEPTEMBER 23rd 2020 -
PLEASE NOTE: All Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts of Romania receive visa applications for essential trips. At this time, other types of visa applications, besides those for essential trips, can be lodged in all Diplomatic Missions/Consular Posts of Romania accredited in EU/EEA member states and in the Swiss Confederation, as well as in the following Diplomatic Missions/Consular Posts of Romania, as marked in the table below:
| Diplomatic Mission / Consular Post | Visa applications can be lodged only by nationals of / legal residents from the following states | Long-stay visa applications | All types of visa applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diplomatic Missions/Consular Posts of Romania in member states of the EU/EEA and in the Swiss Confederation | Third-state nationals with legal residence in member states of the EU/EEA and in the Swiss Confederation | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Abuja (Nigeria) | Nigerian nationals third-state nationals with legal residence in Nigeria. Citizens from states in the consular jurisdiction of the Embassy of Romania in Abuja and third-state nationals with legal residence in these countries. | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Amman (Jordan) | Jordanian nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Jordan | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Ankara (Turkey) | Turkish nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Turkey | x | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Bălți (Moldova) | Moldovan nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Moldova | x* | |
| Embassy of Romania in Bangkok (Thailand) | Thai nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Thailand | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Beijing (China) | Chinese nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in China | x - only provided that reciprocity is ensured - | |
| Embassy of Romania in Belgrade (Serbia) | Serbian nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Serbia | x | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Cahul (Moldova) | Moldovan nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Moldova | x* | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Cernivtsi (Ukraine) | Ukrainian nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Ukraine | x* | |
| Embassy of Romania in Chișinău (Moldova) | Moldovan nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Moldova | x* | |
| Embassy of Romania in Colombo (Sri Lanka) | Nationals of Sri Lanka and third-state nationals with legal residence in Sri Lanka | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Hanoi (Vietnam) | Nationals of Vietnam and third-state nationals with legal residence in Vietnam | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Harare (Zimbabwe) | Nationals of Zimbabwe and of Malawi and third-state nationals with legal residence in Zimbabwe and Malawi | x | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Istanbul (Turkey) | Turkish nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Turkey | x | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Izmir (Turkey) | Turkish nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Turkey | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Kiev (Ukraine) | Ukrainian nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Ukraine | x* | |
| Embassy of Romania in Khartoum (Sudan) | Nationals of Sudan and third-state nationals with legal residence in Sudan | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Kuwait (Kuwait) | Kuweit citizens and third-state nationals with legal residence in Kuwait | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Lima (Peru) | Nationals of Peru and third-state nationals with legal residence in Peru. Citizens from states in the consular jurisdiction of the Embassy of Romania in Lima and third-state nationals with legal residence in these countries. | x | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Miami (USA) | Third-state nationals with legal residence in the USA | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Montevideo (Uruguay) | Nationals of Uruguay and third-state nationals with legal residence in Uruguay | x | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Montreal (Canada) | Third-state nationals with legal residence in the Canada | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Moscow (Russian Federation) | Russian nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in the Russian Federation | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Nairobi (Kenya) | Nationals of Rwanda and third-state nationals with legal residence in Rwanda | x | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Odessa (Ukraine) | Ukrainian nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Ukraine | x* | |
| Embassy of Romania in Ottawa (Canada) | Third-state nationals with legal residence in the Canada | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Podgorica (Montenegro) | Nationals of Montenegro and third-state nationals with legal residence in Montenegro | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Rabat (Morocco) | Nationals of Morocco and third-state nationals with legal residence in Morocco | x | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Sankt Petersburg (Russian Federation) | Russian nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in the Russian Federation | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Santiago de Chile (Chile) | Nationals of Chile and third-state nationals with legal residence in Chile | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Seoul (Korea) | Korean nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Korea | x | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Shanghai (China) | Chinese nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in China | x - only provided that reciprocity is ensured - | |
| Embassy of Romania in Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia) | Macedonian nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Republic of North Macedonia | x | |
| Consulate of Romania in Solotvino (Ukraine) | Ukrainian nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Ukraine | x* | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Sydney (Australia) | Nationals of Australia and of New Zeeland and third-state nationals with legal residence in Australia and New Zeeland | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Tbilisi (Georgia) | Georgian nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Georgia | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Tel Aviv (Israel) | Israeli nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Israel | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Tokyo (Japan) | Third-state nationals with legal residence in Japan | x | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Toronto (Canada) | Third-state nationals with legal residence in the Canada | x | |
| Embassy of Romania in Tunis (Tunisia) | Tunisian nationals and third-state nationals with legal residence in Tunisia | x | |
| Consulate General of Romania in Vancouver (Canada) | Third-state nationals with legal residence in the Canada | x |
Visa applications can be lodged only by the nationals of the receiving states and by third-state nationals who are subject to the visa requirement, who hold valid residence permits in the receiving states mentioned above.
Given the situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the visa activity of the Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts of Romania is suspended. Your visa application cannot be finalised. In case you need a Romanian entry visa for an essential trip , please contact directly the competent Diplomatic Mission/Consular Post
In the context of the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, with the effect of the COVID-19 illness outbreak, the necessity of temporarily limiting non-essential travel to the EU was established at European level. Complementary to the measures introduced at European level, as well as for the implementation of other measures of prevention and combat of risks inherent to the ongoing pandemic, Decision nº394/2020 of the Romanian Government on the introduction of the state of alert and of measures applicable throughout this state for the prevention and combating of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was adopted. The state of alert was thereby introduced on the territory of Romanian for a period of 30 days starting with May 18th 2020, with subsequent extensions of this state.
In line with Decision nº782/14.09.2020 of the Romanian Government on the extension of the state of alert on the territory of Romania starting September 15th 2020, as well as on the establishment of measures applicable throughout this state for the prevention and combatting of the effects of the COVID-19(nº782/2020), the state of alert was thereby extended on the territory of Romania for a period of 30 days starting September 1st 2020. Please note that in Romania, the temporary restrictions on non-essential travels from third-states are therefore extended for 30 days, starting September 15th 2020. It is hereby highlighted that upon entry into force of the provisions of Article 2(2) of Annex 3 to Government Decision nº782/2020, until further contrary decisions in this regard, all types of visa applications can be lodged at the Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts of Romania accredited in the states entered in the lists periodically updated by the European Council, from which the temporary restrictions on non-essential travels are lifted. It is equally stressed that visa applications can be lodged only by the nationals of said states, as well as by third-state nationals who hold valid residence permits in those states.
Further to the above, given the epidemiological situation ensued, the activity related to the receipt and processing of visa applications and of Local Border Traffic Permit applications for residents in the border area of the Republic of Moldova is suspended in the Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts of Romania abroad. At this time, the Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts of Romania receive and process, in line with legal provisions, only applications lodged by third-state nationals and stateless persons who carry our essential trips, from the limited categories listed below:
1) Third-state nationals/stateless persons who are family members of Romanian nationals (the categories of family members can be consulted by accessing http://eviza.mae.ro/SupportingDocuments)
2) Third-state nationals/stateless persons who are family members of citizens of the European Union (wherever “European Union” is used, this includes the UK, as a result of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement)/of the European Economic Area/of the Swiss Confederation who are registered as residents in Romania;
3) Family members of citizens of the European Union (wherever “European Union” is used, this includes the UK, as a result of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement)/of the European Economic Area/of the Swiss Confederation, whose visa applications will be treated in accordance with national legislation, namely GEO no.194/2002 republished, as subsequently amended or GEO 102/2005 republished, as subsequently amended, irrespective of the purpose of travel;
4) Third-state nationals/stateless persons who travel to Romanian for professional reasons, namely: healthcare professionals, health researchers, elderly care professionals, transport personnel engaged in haulage of goods and other transport staff to the extent necessary;
5) Staff of Diplomatic Missions, of Consular Posts and of international organisations, as well as their family members who accompany them in Romania for permanent official missions, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers in the exercise of their functions;
6) Passengers in transit (including those having been repatriated through consular assistance);
7) Third-state nationals/stateless persons who travel for imperative (family, medical reasons);
8) Third-state nationals/stateless persons in need of international protection or who need to travel for other humanitarian reasons;
9) Third-state nationals travelling for studies – this category of third-state nationals may apply for long-stay visas for studies (marked D/SD) or, depending on the period of studies, for short-stay visas for other purposes (marked C/ZA) - when the period of studies does not exceed 90 days throughout any period of 180 days;
10) Highly qualified third-country workers (holders of employment/secondment permits with the mention “Highly qualified”).
11) Frontier workers, seasonal workers in agriculture and seamen; 12) Members of international sports delegations who partake in sports competitions organised in Romania, in accordance with legal provisions; 13) Members of film or audiovisual filming crews, technical and artistic staff partaking in cultural events that take place in Romania, based on proven contractual relations or on supporting documents in this regard. The following categories of third-state nationals and stateless persons are also able to travel to Romania:
1) Categories of third-state nationals/stateless persons as described above, but who are not subject to the Romanian entry-visa requirement for airport transit or for stays of no longer than 90 days in any 180-day period;
2) Third-state nationals/stateless persons who already hold a valid long-stay visa, residence permit, or another valid document equivalent to a residence permit – all issued by Romania (with the exception of holders of Local Border Traffic Permits issued by Romania);
3) Third-state nationals/stateless persons who hold a valid long-stay visa, residence permit, or another valid document equivalent to a residence permit – all issued by other member states in line with European Union law ( such as third-state nationals/stateless persons who hold long-term residence permits issued by EU member states under the Long-term residence Directive; holders of long-stay visas or of residence permits issued by Schengen member states, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia - under Decision EU/2014/565; holders of long-stay visas or of residence permits - under Directive 2004/38/EC, Directive EU/801/2016).
Taking into account the preventive measures introduced at European level and by Romanian authorities in the efforts undertaken in order to combat the effects of the pandemic, it is recommended that third-state nationals/stateless persons who have already obtained entry visas for Romania, as well as third-state nationals/stateless persons who are not required to hold Romanian entry visas carefully consider the necessity of their trip to Romania throughout the following period.
It is hereby highlighted that holding a visa does not automatically guarantee entry into Romania. In addition, it is stressed that visa processing fees are not refundable, should the boarding of visa holders towards Romania, or the entry of visa holders into Romania not be permitted, or should they be placed under compulsory quarantine or in self-isolation.
It is equally highlighted that in case upon lodging visa applications, third-state nationals/stateless persons subject to the visa requirement do not have the possibility of submitting the proof of means of transport – whenever required, their visa applications will not be received or, depending on the case, the decision with regard to such incomplete visa applications will be correspondingly taken, having regard to the fact that said applications do not fulfil the applicable legal conditions in force.
Resumption of visa operations and of other activities with the public in relation to applications from third-state nationals will be relaunched once all normal functioning conditions are met, both locally, as well as on the territory of Romania. Such resumption of operations measures depend on the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the states of residence, of the availability of means of transport towards the European Union, Romania included, as well as on common measures established at European level in connection to temporary travel restrictions to the EU.
We thank you for your understanding of this exceptional situation with a high degree of exposure for all nationals.
OTHER INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO THIRD-STATE NATIONALS AND STATELESS PERSONS, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic:
The following measures of interest to aliens are introduced in line with the provisions of Point X (Articles 47 through 49) of Emergency Ordinance of the Romanian Government nº70 of May 14th 2020:
“X. Measures in the field of alien management in the context of the epidemiological situation generated by the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus
Article 47
(1) The validity of documents issued by the Inspectorate General for Immigration is maintained throughout the entire duration of the state of emergency introduced by Decree nº195/2020 regarding the introduction of the state of emergency on the territory of Romania, extended by Decree nº240/2020 regarding the extension of the state of emergency on the territory of Romania, as well as for a period of 90 days from the date of termination of this state.
(2) The approvals issued by the Inspectorate General for Immigration on invitations regulated by Articles (37)-(39) of Emergency Ordinance of the Romanian Government nº194/2002 regarding the regime of aliens in Romania, republished, amended and completed, are not considered valid over the term indicated in Article 38(6) of Emergency Ordinance of the Romanian Government nº194/2002 regarding the regime of aliens in Romania, republished, amended and completed.
Article 48
(1) The authorised stay of third-state nationals who are present in Romania, as granted through entry visas issued by Romania, is maintained for 90 days from the date of termination of the state of emergency introduced by Decree nº195/2020 regarding the introduction of the state of emergency on the territory of Romania and extended by Decree nº240/2020 regarding the extension of the state of emergency on the territory of Romania, without them being subject to any sanctions or restrictive measures as established by Emergency Ordinance of the Romanian Government nº194/2002 regarding the regime of aliens in Romania, republished, amended and completed.
(2) The authorised stay of third-state nationals who are present in Romania, as granted through international conventions, through legal instruments by means of which the visa requirement is unilaterally waved or by European legal instruments that establish the waiving of the visa requirement, is maintained for 90 days from the date of termination of the state of emergency introduced by Decree nº195/2020 regarding the introduction of the state of emergency on the territory of Romania and extended by Decree nº240/2020 regarding the extension of the state of emergency on the territory of Romania, without them being subject to any sanctions or restrictive measures as established by Emergency Ordinance of the Romanian Government nº194/2002 regarding the regime of aliens in Romania, republished, amended and completed.
(3) For subsequent entries and stays, the authorised stay established by Paragraphs (1) or (2) shall not be counted upon calculation of the period of stay of maximum 90 days in any 180-day period that precedes each day of stay in the territory of Romania.
Article 49
(1) The validity of entry visas issued by Romania that have expired without having been used by their holders because of the temporary restrictions of travel to the European Union is not maintained.
(2) Upon lifting of the temporary restrictions of travel to the member states of the European Union, should it still be deemed necessary, third-state nationals who held Romanian entry visas that expired under the conditions provided for in Paragraph (1), can apply for other entry visas for Romania, in line with the provisions of Emergency Ordinance of the Romanian Government nº194/2002 regarding the regime of aliens in Romania, republished, amended and completed.
(3) Endorsements for employment, endorsements for secondment and approvals for family reunification issued by the Inspectorate General for Immigration, the validity of which is extended in line with the provisions of Article[47] (1) can be used for the lodging of Romanian entry visa applications in line with the provisions of Emergency Ordinance of the Romanian Government nº194/2002 regarding the regime of aliens in Romania, republished, amended and completed, when the temporary restrictions of travel to the member states of the European Union will have been lifted, only if they have not been previously used for obtaining such entry visas for Romania.”.
Furthermore, whenever the above cited provisions are not applicable, regarding the validity visas issued by Romania and expired throughout the introduced and extended state of alert, please note that their situation is regulated by means of the provisions of Article 4(5) of Law nº55 of May 15th 2020 regarding certain measures for the prevention and containment of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as follows: „ARTICLE 4 (5) The validity of documents issued by public authorities and institutions, as well as by authorised private entities established by Law, is maintained throughout the state of alert, as well as for a period of 90 days from the date of termination of this state.”
It is hereby highlighted that the above cited legal provisions are put into effect in a complementary manner. Therefore, it must be noted that entry into Romania is not allowed for third-state nationals and stateless persons who have obtained Romanian visas that expired without having been used after the introductions of the state of emergency, given the temporary restrictions on non-essential travels.
COVID-19 – Information to the attention of third-state nationals and stateless persons who are required to hold an entry visa for Romania
