The Ultimate Guide: Securing Your Romania Schengen Visa from the UAE
Romania, a country renowned for its magnificent Carpathian Mountains, preserved medieval towns, and the enchanting legend of Transylvania, has dramatically simplified travel for UAE residents. With its recent full integration into the Schengen Area, a Romanian visa is now your direct access pass to 29 European countries.
As of January 1, 2025, Romania is a full Schengen member. This means all land, sea, and air border checks with other Schengen states have been permanently lifted. A Romanian tourist visa is now a full Schengen Type C visa, making it an excellent choice for a multi-country European itinerary.
This comprehensive guide is designed to walk you through every critical stage of preparing your Romania Visa from UAE application, ensuring a complete and confident submission.
1. Romania’s Full Schengen Status: A Game-Changer
The most significant update for travelers is Romania’s new standing in the Schengen Zone.
- Impact on Travel: If you hold a valid Schengen visa issued by any member state (e.g., France, Germany, or now, Romania), you can enter Romania freely, and vice-versa.
- The New Visa: A tourist visa issued by the Embassy of Romania is now officially a Schengen Type C visa, providing the standard allowance of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire 29-country zone. This eliminates the complexities of previous national visa requirements.
2. Mandatory Eligibility Check: Do You Need a Visa for Romania?
Your need for a visitor visa for Romania is based on your nationality:
- Visa is Mandatory If: You are a UAE resident, but your passport’s country of origin is not on the Schengen Area’s visa-free list (common examples include India, Pakistan, Philippines, etc.).
- Visa is NOT Required If:
- You hold a passport from a visa-exempt country (e.g., US, Canada, UK, or any EU/Schengen member).
- You already possess a valid, multiple-entry Schengen visa or a residence permit from any other Schengen country.
Always consult the official European Commission guidelines based on your nationality to confirm your status.
3. The 7-Step Tourist Visa Application Process via VFS Global
The official visa application process is managed by VFS Global, the recognized service partner of the Embassy of Romania in Abu Dhabi/Dubai.
Step 1: Select the Appropriate Visa Category. Choose the Short-Stay Schengen Visa (Type C) for your tourism purposes.
Step 2: Complete the Official Application Form. Fill in the harmonized Schengen visa application form accurately. This is a critical legal document.
- Application Resource: Romania Application Form
Step 3: Collect All Required Documents. Use the detailed checklist provided below. Ensure your file is 100% complete.
Step 4: Book Your Appointment. Arrange your visa scheduling well in advance through the VFS Global platform.
Step 5: Attend Your Biometrics and Submission. Present your complete file, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo), and pay the relevant visa fees for the Schengen visa at the VFS Global center.
Step 6: Monitor Your Application Status. Use the unique tracking number from your receipt to follow the progress online.
Step 7: Passport Collection. You will receive a notification when your passport is ready for pickup, including the affixed visa if successful.
4. The Comprehensive Documentation Checklist for Tourists
Submitting a flawless file is the primary determinant of a successful outcome. All materials must be clear, readable, and in English or Portuguese. Romania Checklist Document
4.1. Core Documents Required from All Applicants
| Document | Detailed Requirements | Why It’s Mandatory |
| Original Passport | Valid for ≥3 months post-Schengen departure, issued within 10 years, with ≥2 blank pages. | Primary identity and travel verification. |
| Visa Application Form | Completed entirely, printed, and signed in two specific places. | Legal declaration of intent. |
| Passport Photos | Two recent, color photos (35mm×45mm) with a plain white background. | Biometric identification. |
| Valid UAE Residence Permit | Copy of Emirates ID and residence visa (must be valid for ≥3 months after your departure from the Schengen area). | Proof of legal UAE residency status. |
| Confirmed Travel Reservations | Round-trip flight itinerary (do not purchase non-refundable tickets until the visa is approved). | Demonstrates concrete travel dates and intent to return. |
| Accommodation Proof | Confirmed hotel booking for the entire stay. Alternatively, a formal, notarized Letter of Invitation from your host in Romania. | Confirms place of residence. |
| Travel Medical Insurance | Mandatory minimum coverage of €30,000. Must cover emergency medical costs and repatriation across all Schengen states. | Financial security in a medical emergency. |
| Proof of Financial Means | Bank statements for the last ≥3 months. You must show sufficient funds equivalent to at least €50 per day of your stay, with a minimum overall threshold (varies, but advised to show more than the daily rate). | Evidence of self-sufficiency during the trip. |
4.2. Status-Specific Supporting Documents
| Applicant Status | Required Document |
| Employed | No-Objection Certificate (NOC): Original letter on company letterhead stating job title, salary, joining date, and approved leave dates. |
| Self-Employed | Copy of valid trade license, last ≥3 months of company bank statements, and a letter on company letterhead. |
| Students | Official letter of enrollment from your educational institution. |
| Minors (<18) | Notarized letter of consent from both parents (if not traveling together), copy of the minor’s birth certificate, and copies of both parents’ passports. |
5. Schengen Visa Application Form Guidelines
The application form, being a standard Schengen document, requires careful completion:
- Identity Fields: Personal details (Name, DOB, POB) must mirror your passport exactly.
- Trip Specification: State ‘Tourism’ as the purpose, intended dates, the number of entries requested, and clearly list Romania as both your Main Destination and First Point of Entry (if applicable based on the rules).
- Financial Details: Specify the funding source for your trip (self-sponsored or a sponsor/host).
6. Visa Fees, Processing Time, and Biometric Requirements
Plan your budget and timeline effectively using the following approximations:
| Applicant Type | Visa Fee (Consular Fee) (Approx.) | VFS Global Service Fee (Approx.) |
| Adult (12+) | €90 (Approx. AED 390) | AED 100-150 |
| Child (6-11) | €45 (Approx. AED 195) | AED 100-150 |
| Child (<6) | €0 (Gratis) | AED 100-150 |
Note: The consular fee is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome.
- Processing Time: Generally 15 calendar days, but can extend to up to 45 days during peak seasons. Apply ≥4 to 6 weeks prior to your travel date.
- Biometrics (VIS System): Fingerprints and a digital photo are collected. If you have successfully provided biometrics for any Schengen visa within the last 59 months, you may be exempt from submitting them again.
7. Tracking Your Application Status
Once your file is submitted, you can track its journey using the unique number on your VFS receipt:
- Official Tracking Link: Romania Tracking Application
| Status Phase | Meaning |
| “Application Submitted” | VFS has sent your file to the Embassy/Consulate. |
| “In Process” | The Embassy is reviewing the documents and making a decision. |
| “Passport Ready for Collection” | The final decision has been made, and your passport is at the VFS center. |
8. Strategies for Maximizing Visa Approval
A rejected application often results from simple, preventable mistakes:
- Financial Strength: Clearly demonstrate funds that consistently meet or exceed the €50 per day requirement. Avoid suspicious, large, sudden deposits.
- Itinerary Consistency: All flight and accommodation dates/locations must align perfectly with your application form.
- Proof of Return (Ties to UAE): Provide strong evidence (NOC, fixed assets, long-term family residency) proving you have compelling reasons to return to your established life in the UAE.
- Document Completeness: Missing documents are the most common cause of rejection. Always cross-check with the official Romania Checklist Document.
9. Post-Approval and Travel Preparation
Congratulations on receiving your valid visa! Now, take these final steps:
- Verify Visa Details: Immediately check the visa sticker for accuracy—ensure your name, passport number, entry dates, and duration of stay are correct.
- Organize Travel Copies: Carry copies of your confirmed flight reservations, hotel bookings, and travel medical insurance with you.
- Border Preparedness: Be ready to confidently answer questions from Romanian border control, ensuring your answers align with the details on your Schengen visa application.
10. The Gravity of Visa Overstaying
The 90/180-day rule for the Schengen Zone is strictly enforced. Overstaying is a severe offense:
- Consequences: Significant fines, potential detention, immediate deportation, and an automatic ban from re-entering the entire Schengen Area for several years.
- SIS Database Entry: Any violation is logged permanently in the Schengen Information System (SIS), making any future visa application to any Schengen Visa Country extremely difficult.
11. Professional Visa Application Support
For travelers seeking expert assistance to navigate the complex Schengen visa requirements, our team offers professional support:
- Contact Number: 00971563632360
- Email: visachat@schengenvisitvisa.com
- Website: https://schengenvisitvisa.com/
12. Official Resources and Important Disclaimer
- Slovakia Tourist Visa Documents Checklist: For travelers planning further trips, all required tourist visa documents for the Schengen visa application are available on the official Embassy of the Slovak Republic or VFS Global website.
- Official Visa Online Application Form: The official Schengen application form can be accessed through the VFS Global platform for Slovakia.
- VFS Global Application Tracking: You can track your application status online using the reference number provided on your receipt after your appointment at the visa office.
Disclaimer: This information serves as a general guide only. Schengen visa rules and visa requirements for the Schengen visa are subject to frequent changes. You must always verify the latest, most detailed information directly with the official Embassy of Romania or VFS Global before submitting your application for a tourist visa. We accept no responsibility for any visa rejections, application delays, or travel issues arising from reliance on this information.