Romania entry requirements for South Africa passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
South African passport holders need a visa to enter Romania in 2026. You must apply online before you travel — there is no visa-on-arrival option. Plan ahead: processing can take up to two weeks.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Apply online before travel | South African passport holders need a visa to enter Romania. Apply through the Romania eVisa portal at evisa.mae.ro/en. Processing takes up to 30 days, so apply well ahead of your trip.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for entire stay | Your passport needs to be valid for at least the full duration of your stay in Romania. No minimum validity beyond departure is required by law, but airlines may enforce 3 months. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Schengen area | Border officers routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen zone within your visa's validity. Have a printed or digital copy ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Immigration may ask for a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host in Romania. Keep a copy on your phone or printed. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can cover your stay | Officers can request bank statements or cash to prove you have enough money for your trip. Around €50 per day is a safe benchmark. | Recommended |
Apply early — no rush service
The Romanian e-Visa has no expedited option. Processing takes 5–14 days, sometimes longer during peak season. Apply at least 3 weeks before departure to avoid last-minute stress.
Keep digital copies of everything
Save your visa PDF, flight booking, and accommodation confirmation on your phone and in cloud storage. If you lose the printout, you can show the digital copy at immigration.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for your e-Visa
Go to evisa.mae.ro and create an account. Fill in the application form, upload your passport scan and a recent photo, and pay the fee (around €60–€80 depending on visa type). Processing takes 5–14 days. You'll receive the visa by email as a PDF.
2
Pack your documents
Print the visa PDF, your flight booking, and accommodation confirmation. Save digital copies on your phone too. Keep your passport handy — you'll need it at check-in and at the border.
3
Arrive in Romania
At Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport (OTP) or any other entry point, join the 'All Passports' queue. Hand over your passport and visa printout. The officer may ask for your return ticket and accommodation. Answer clearly — it usually takes 2–5 minutes.
4
Get your passport stamped
Once approved, the officer stamps your passport with the entry date and the allowed stay duration. Check the stamp before leaving the counter. If anything looks wrong, ask immediately.
Download Romania Entry Checklist
PDF · South Africa Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€80 (approx. $87 USD)
Standard Schengen visa for tourism; must apply at Romanian embassy/consulate.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
Validity6 months to 5 years (depending on history)
Cost€80 (approx. $87 USD)
For frequent travellers; requires proof of previous compliant travel.
Long-stay visa (national D visa)
Max stay90 days to 1 year
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€120 (approx. $131 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires specific sponsorship.
work visa
Romanian Work Visa (Employment)
1 year, renewable
€120 (approx. $131 USD) application fee
For foreign nationals with a job offer from a Romanian employer. Requires work permit approval and proof of qualifications. Allows residence and work.
student visa
Romanian Student Visa (Long-stay)
Duration of studies (up to 1 year, renewable)
€120 (approx. $131 USD) application fee
For enrolled students at accredited Romanian institutions. Requires acceptance letter and proof of financial means. Allows part-time work.
digital nomad visa
Romania Digital Nomad Visa
1 year, renewable
€120 (approx. $131 USD) application fee
For remote workers earning income from outside Romania. Requires proof of employment/contract and minimum income threshold (approx. €3,700/month). No local tax liability.
retirement visa
Romanian Long-Stay Visa for Retirees
1 year, renewable
€120 (approx. $131 USD) application fee
For retirees with sufficient passive income (pension, investments). Requires proof of accommodation and health insurance. No work allowed.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for a short-stay Schengen visa, non-refundable. | €80 (approx. $87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (approx. $87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa-free or visa period; paid at immigration office. | €10–€20 per day (approx. $11–$22 USD), max €500 (approx. $545 USD) |
| Stay extension (if applicable)Rarely granted for tourist purposes; requires strong justification. | €30 (approx. $33 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete travel documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Romania
Transit visa required
South African passport holders need an airport transit visa to change planes in Romania, even if staying airside. Apply at a Romanian embassy before travel.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid Schengen visa or residence permit may transit without a visa.
- Holders of a valid visa for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, or Romania (national) may transit without a visa.
Transit hubsHenri Coandă International Airport (OTP) – Bucharest · Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ) · Timișoara Traian Vuia International Airport (TSR)
Health & vaccines for Romania
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., parts of Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, etc.)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRabiesConsiderTick-borne encephalitisConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Present in forested areas, especially in central and northern Romania; vaccination recommended for hikers.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Transmitted by ticks in rural and wooded areas; use repellent and check for ticks.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene precautions suffice; tap water is generally safe in cities.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Bucharest
Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări (IGI)
Str. Nicolae Iorga nr. 30, sector 1, București
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Main office for visa extensions and residence permits; bring all original documents.
Cluj-Napoca
Inspectoratul Teritorial pentru Imigrări Cluj
Str. Traian nr. 202, Cluj-Napoca
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Handles extensions and permits for Transylvania region.
Practical information for ZA travellers
Country basics
CapitalBucharest
LanguageRomanian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid with IDP.
Money
CurrencyRomanian Leu (RON)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 4.59 RON
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h (EST) / +7h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+10h (PST) / +10h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Use bottled water. Tap water varies significantly by region.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Romania
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Romania — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
Processing usually takes 5–14 days. Apply at least 3 weeks before your trip to be safe. The fee is around €60–€80 depending on the visa type.
No. There is no visa-on-arrival for South African passport holders. You must have an approved e-Visa before you board your flight.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date. If it expires sooner, renew your passport before applying for the visa.
Yes, immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel. A printed or digital booking confirmation showing your departure from Romania is sufficient.
No, the standard short-stay visa is not extendable. You must leave before your visa expires. For longer stays, apply for a long-stay visa at the Romanian embassy in South Africa before travel.
Overstaying can result in fines, a ban from the Schengen area, and difficulties with future visa applications. Leave before your visa expiry date.
It is not always required for entry, but it is strongly recommended. Medical costs in Romania can be high — a basic policy covers emergencies and repatriation.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.