Applying for a long-term visa? Here is what you should know

So, you are planning to stay in Romania long-term? Well, lucky for you, there’s a process to follow. First step: head on down to the General Inspectorate for Immigration in your county and apply for a long-term visa. Easy-peasy, right? Well, not exactly. You’ll need to meet certain conditions, so make sure to read up on those before you skip to other planning. If they give you the green light, then you can move on to step two: submitting the necessary documents for your long-term residence permit.

We know that it sounds like a lot of paperwork and waiting around, but at least you’ll get to call Romania your home sweet home, which is definitely worth it.

Conditions for granting a long-term visa

The decision to move to Romania has been made. Now, it’s time to see if you are eligible for a long-term visa. There are certain conditions that have to be met in order to go forward with your application. 

So, check to see if you are a good fit first:

• You need to have lived in the country for at least 5 consecutive years without being removed from the national territory;
• You can be absent for up to 10 months total within those 5 years, as long as each absence is less than 6 consecutive months;
• If you’ve traveled abroad for international transport activities, you can provide proof of that and it won’t count against you;
• If you’ve stayed in Romania for study purposes (that time counts as half of the 5-year requirement)

Don’t forget to check which conditions apply to your case specifically in the list provided by the Romanian Immigration Department. 

When can an application be denied?

Things don’t always go the way we explect them to. Unfortunatelly, this goes for getting the long-stay visa as well. So, here are the things that can lead to your request being denied:

You have a temporary residence right for your studies.
It is important for individuals to be aware that having a temporary residence right for studies can potentially lead to the denial of their application for a long-stay visa. This is due to the fact that a long-stay visa may be seen as unnecessary if an individual already has a temporary residence right for studies in the country.

You are an asylum seeker or beneficiary of temporary humanitarian protection or have temporary protection from the Romanian state.
Asylum seekers or people who beneficiary of temporary humanitarian protection, may face difficulties obtaining a long-stay visa. This is because such individuals may be deemed to have an uncertain status and lack sufficient ties to their country of origin. Similarly, those with temporary protection from the Romanian state may also face visa denial due to their precarious status.

You are in Romania with a short-stay visa or a visa/residence right granted by a diplomatic or service visa.
It is important for individuals to be aware that being in Romania with a short-stay visa or a visa/residence right granted by a diplomatic or service visa may result in their application for a long-stay visa being denied. Those seeking to stay in Romania for an extended period should ensure that they have the appropriate visa or residency status before their arrival. Failure to do so may lead to complications and potential denial of a long-stay visa application.

You have a right of residence obtained for carrying out activities as a seasonal worker or au pair.
Obtaining a right of residence as a seasonal worker or au pair is usually intended for temporary stays and is not intended for long-term stays in a country. If you apply for a long-stay visa while holding a seasonal worker or au pair visa, immigration authorities may view your application as contradictory or suspicious. Additionally, obtaining a right of residence as a seasonal worker or au pair may not meet the requirements for a long-stay visa, which usually have more stringent eligibility criteria.

Get your documents ready!

If you got this far, it means that you meet all the criteria. Congratulations! So, going forward, it’s time to gather all the necessary documents. For this purpose, you must submit the following ones:

• Application form;
• Border crossing document (passport, travel document, etc.) in copy and original;
• Proof of housing space (copy and original);
• Proof of social health insurance;
• Proof of means of support (except for family members of Romanian citizens);
• Criminal record certificate issued by Romanian authorities;
• Civil status documents (if applicable).

It’s important to keep in mind that long-term visa requirements for Romania can vary depending on the individual’s circumstances. As a result, seeking the advice of a qualified professional is highly recommended. Their expertise can help ensure that all necessary documents and procedures are properly handled, which can increase the likelihood of a successful visa application.

Well, there you have it! Applying for a long-term visa in Romania might seem like a daunting task, but with a little patience and preparation, you can make it happen. Don’t forget to double-check all the requirements and gather all the necessary documents before submitting your application. If you do end up getting that visa, get ready to call Romania your new home sweet home. Who knows, you might just fall in love with this beautiful country and its amazing culture. So, what are you waiting for? Get those documents ready and start your journey to becoming a Romanian resident!