| Visa Code | Purpose | Max Initial Stay | Converts To |
|---|
| D/AM | Work (employed) | 90 days | Residence Permit (Work) |
| D/SD | Study (university) | 90 days | Residence Permit (Study) |
| D/VF | Family Reunification | 90 days | Residence Permit (Family) |
| D/CO | Commercial/Business | 90 days | Residence Permit (Business) |
| D/RC | Research | 90 days | Residence Permit (Research) |
| D/AS | Seasonal Work | 9 months | Seasonal Permit |
General Long-Stay Requirements
- Application form (2 copies, signed)
- Passport (valid 12+ months, 2 blank pages)
- Photos (2, 35x45mm, white bg)
- Travel insurance €30k (initial 90 days)
- Proof of accommodation (rental contract, dorm confirmation, property deed)
- Financial means: €50/day × 90 days = €4,500 minimum (bank cert + statements)
- Medical certificate (Romanian embassy accredited clinic in Manila)
- Police clearance (NBI + Romania FBI equivalent if resided >6 months abroad)
- Purpose-specific docs (see below)
Purpose-Specific Documents
💼 Work Visa (D/AM)
- Work Authorization (AVIZ) from Romanian Inspectorate for Immigration (employer obtains)
- Employment contract (Romanian labor law compliant)
- Qualification recognition (if regulated profession)
- Tax record (if already worked in Romania)
🎓 Study Visa (D/SD)
- Letter of Acceptance (accredited Romanian university)
- Proof of tuition payment (1st year)
- Language proficiency (Romanian/English — program dependent)
- Academic transcripts (PSA authenticated + Apostille)
👨👩👧 Family Reunification (D/VF)
- Proof of family relationship (PSA Marriage/Birth Certs, Apostilled)
- Sponsor's Romanian residence permit (valid ≥1 year)
- Sponsor's proof of income (3× minimum wage ~€3,000/mo)
- Sponsor's accommodation proof (ownership/lease + space)
📍 Application Process: Romanian Embassy Manila
Appointment Booking
- Email: manila@mae.ro
- Subject: "Long-Stay Visa Appointment - [Type] - [Surname, First Name]"
- Include: Passport copy, purpose, intended entry date
- Slots: Limited. Book 2-3 months ahead for work/study.
Submission & Fees
- Fee: €120 (long-stay) — PHP cash at embassy rate
- Biometrics: Required (if not in last 59 months)
- Processing: 30-60 days (work/study), 15-30 days (family)
- AVIZ (Work Authorization) obtained by employer in Romania — parallel process, 30-45 days.
Post-Arrival: Residence Permit
Within 30 days of entry on D-visa: Apply for Residence Permit at General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) in your Romanian city. Required: Passport + visa, proof of address, medical insurance (Romanian), financial means, purpose docs. Permit issued 30-60 days. Valid 1-2 years, renewable.
🎯 Strategic Scenarios for Filipinos
Scenario A: Tourism ≤90 Days
Action: Book flight + hotel. No visa application. Bring: Passport, return ticket, hotel booking, insurance, funds proof. Enter via AIR/SEA. Enjoy visa-free Romania + 28 Schengen countries.
Scenario B: Digital Nomad / Remote Work
Gray Area. Romania has no digital nomad visa (2024). Working remotely for PH company on visa-free: technically unauthorized. Options:
- Apply for D/CO (Commercial) if incorporating Romanian entity
- Use visa-free for ≤90 days, exit, re-enter (risky — border guards track 90/180)
- Monitor: Romania Digital Nomad Visa draft legislation (2024-2025)
Scenario C: Work in Romania
Employer must secure AVIZ first. You apply D/AM. Timeline: 3-4 months total. Start early.
Scenario D: Study in Romania
Low tuition (€2,000-5,000/yr), English programs (medicine, engineering, business). Apply D/SD after acceptance. Scholarships: Romanian Government, Erasmus+.
🚨 Critical Warnings
- ❌ Land Border Entry: If entering Romania by land from Serbia/Moldova/Ukraine — visa-free NOT valid. Need Romanian visa or valid Schengen visa.
- ❌ Schengen Visa ≠ Romania Entry (Land): Valid Schengen visa allows air/sea entry to Romania. Land entry from Schengen (Hungary/Bulgaria) — random checks, but legally OK. From non-Schengen land — Romanian visa required.
- ❌ Overstay 90/180: Automatic alert in SIS (Schengen Info System). Affects ALL future Schengen applications.
- ❌ Fake Documents: Embassy verifies with PSA, BIR, banks, schools. Fraud = 5+ year ban.
📞 Key Contacts
- Romanian Embassy Manila: 16F Tower 2, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Ave, Makati | manila@mae.ro | +63 2 8894 5111
- Romanian Immigration (IGI): igi.mai.gov.ro (Romanian/English)
- EU Short-Stay Calculator: Official Tool
Romania just became the most accessible Schengen country for Filipinos — visa-free for tourism. For longer stays, the path is structured but achievable. Know your category, respect the 90/180 rule, and Romania's Carpathians, castles, and coast await.
Wanderlust World