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RomaniaStudent residence permit

Student residence permit in Romania

A long-stay visa and residence permit for foreign students admitted to accredited Romanian universities. It allows you to study for the set period, work part-time and travel within Schengen. After graduation the residence permit may be extended to look for work or complete formalities.

Source: igi.mai.gov.ro — studies

The programme for students

Study in Romania is open to students from third countries. Admission to an accredited institution, proof of funds and health insurance are required. The process involves obtaining the D/SD visa at the consulate and then applying for the residence permit in Romania.

Who may apply

  • Nationals of countries outside the EU/EEA
  • Applicants to and students at universities
  • Master's and doctoral candidates
  • School pupils on exchange programmes
  • Trainees on long-term placements

Requirements before filing

  • Letter of acceptance from the Romanian Ministry of Education
  • Passport valid for at least 3 months
  • Tuition paid for the first year
  • Proof of funds for the whole period
  • Accommodation in Romania

What the programme covers

  • Pre-university education
  • Bachelor's and master's degrees
  • Doctoral and postdoctoral study
  • School exchange programmes
  • Placements at accredited centres

When the programme will not work

Study at a non-accredited institution

Check whether the institution is accredited by the Romanian Ministry of Education before filing

There is no proof of financial support

Open a sponsor's account or obtain a sponsor's letter with a copy of the statement

You are an EU/EEA national (they receive registration, not a residence permit)

Arrange registration through the local immigration office instead of a residence permit

You plan to work full-time in your main occupation while studying

Apply for a separate work authorisation or wait until the end of the semester

What it costs

D/SD visa at the consulateThe official consular fee for a long-stay type D visa; the visa is valid for 90 days and is issued at an embassy or consulate300 EUR
Residence card at the IGIAbout RON 259, paid when filing with the IGI; a plastic biometric card55 EUR
Health insurance for a yearMinimum cover of EUR 30,000; the cost of the policy depends on the provider and the scope of cover30 000 EUR
Living costs (per month)You must show EUR 500-700 a month in your account; this forms part of the financial requirements700 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.31 055 EUR

Paid separately

  • Consular fee for expedited processing — It may be available, but not everywhere; arrange it directly with the consulate
  • Visa agency services — Not part of the state fees; paid separately if an intermediary is used

Documents to gather

Documents are collected in two stages: for the D/SD visa at the consulate and for the residence permit at the IGI after arrival in Romania.

  • Passport (original plus a copy of the first and last pages)
  • Letter of acceptance from the Romanian Ministry of Education (original plus copy)
  • Proof of payment of tuition for the first year (university bank statement or receipt)
  • Proof of financial means: bank statement, sponsor's letter, employer's statement (for the last 3 months)
  • Health insurance for the whole period of study (a policy with a minimum of EUR 30,000)
  • Medical certificate (original in English or Romanian): absence of contagious diseases
  • Criminal-record certificate (apostilled, translated)
  • Birth certificate (apostilled, translated, if required for the studies)
  • Diplomas and academic transcripts (apostilled, translated into English or Romanian)
  • Proof of accommodation: rental agreement, a letter from the university (for a hall of residence) or a notarised consent from the landlord
  • Colour photographs 3x4 cm (two, taken within the last 6 months)
  • Visa application form (form D), completed and signed

How the process runs

The process takes 3-5 months from the moment the documents are filed. Delays are possible while educational documents are assessed or while waiting for the visa.

  1. 1

    Admission and the letter of acceptance

    4-12 weeks (depending on the university)

    Apply to study at your chosen university through its website or in person. Obtain the letter of acceptance from the Ministry of Education or from the university itself, in English or Romanian. This letter is the basis for the whole visa procedure.

  2. 2

    Paying tuition and collecting documents

    2-3 weeks

    Transfer the tuition fee for the first year to the university's account. Keep the receipt. Collect the remaining documents: passport, health insurance, criminal-record certificate (apostilled) and medical certificate. Translations must be notarised.

  3. 3

    Filing at the embassy or consulate

    1-2 days

    Visit the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country. Submit the completed visa form (D), passport, letter of acceptance, payment receipt, health insurance and proof of funds and accommodation. Provide biometrics (fingerprints, photograph).

  4. 4

    Waiting for the D/SD visa

    1-30 days (standard up to 30, expedited 1-6 working days)

    The consulate processes your application. You can track the status through the embassy portal or in person. The D/SD visa is placed in your passport or issued separately as a document.

  5. 5

    Arrival in Romania

    1 day

    Fly to Romania and pass border control. State the purpose: study. The D/SD visa is valid for 90 days, but the residence permit must be arranged sooner.

  6. 6

    Applying for the residence permit at the IGI

    1-2 days (filing); 30 days (processing)

    Within 60 days of arrival, visit the local IGI office (Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări) with all your documents. Submit the residence permit form, a copy of your passport, the letter of acceptance and proof of accommodation and health insurance. A local medical certificate may also be needed.

  7. 7

    Receiving the residence card

    15-30 days

    Once approved, you receive the plastic biometric residence card. The card is issued at the same IGI office. During processing (30 days) a temporary stamp in your passport applies.

  8. 8

    Work and travel

    for the whole period of study

    With the residence permit a student may work without a separate work authorisation on a part-time basis — no more than 6 hours a day — attend classes and travel within Schengen (Romania has been in Schengen since 2025). Full-time work is allowed during school holidays.

  9. 9

    Renewing the residence permit or moving to a work permit

    file 30 days before the residence permit expires

    After graduation the right of temporary residence for study may be extended for up to 9 months to look for work, take up employment or complete the formalities for setting up a business. A certificate of completion of studies is required.

Timelines and rights

Work

Work without a work authorisation only under an individual part-time employment contract, for no more than 6 hours a day.

Who you can bring with you

The family of a foreign student may come to Romania, but under different rules.

Spouse
May apply for a residence permit through family reunification, given proof of marriage and shared accommodation. The process resembles the main application but requires additional documents on the marriage and finances.
Minor children
May obtain a residence permit through family reunification, given a birth certificate and proof of custody. The financial requirements are added together for the number of family members.
Parents
May come to Romania, but on a tourist visa or a separate long-term residence permit, not on the basis of the student's permit. The student may act as sponsor for their visa if they can prove the funds.

Renewal and the grace period

The student residence permit is renewed for the duration of the studies, provided the student continues studying and all conditions are met. After graduation the right of temporary residence may be extended for up to 9 months to look for work, take up employment or complete the formalities for setting up a business. To renew, submit an updated certificate from the university confirming completion of studies. The application must be filed with the IGI no later than 30 days before the current permit expires.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

The period of study counts only by half towards the qualifying period for long-term residence.

Frequently asked questions about Student residence permit

How much does the full student residence permit procedure cost?
The visa costs EUR 300 (the consular fee under the single tariff for long-stay type D visas), the residence card about EUR 50-55 (RON 259), and health insurance must provide an average of EUR 30,000 of cover a year (this is not paid as a lump sum; it is the minimum cover). The main costs are tuition (EUR 600-5,000+ a year depending on the university) and living costs (EUR 500-700 a month). In total: roughly EUR 1,400-1,700 in the first year for the visa procedures and residence permit, plus tuition and living costs.
Can I work if I hold a student residence permit?
Yes — without a separate work authorisation you may work under a part-time contract for no more than 6 hours a day during the academic semester. Full-time work is allowed during school holidays. This applies only to employment contracts with an employer, not to self-employment.
What happens to the residence permit if I do not finish my studies or am expelled?
The residence permit is based on study at an accredited institution. If you are expelled or fail your examinations, the university must inform the IGI. The residence permit may be revoked. You will, however, have a period in which to reorganise (move to another university), apply for a different type of residence permit (work, business) or leave the country.
Will I be able to stay in Romania after graduating?
Yes. After graduation the right of temporary residence is extended for up to 9 months to look for work, take up employment or set up a business. If you find work, you can move to an employment residence permit. If not, you will have to leave. Time spent studying counts by half towards permanent residence (5 years of continuous lawful stay are required, and student years count at 50%).
Do I need Romanian health insurance, or can I use my policy from home?
A policy valid in Romania is required. Foreign policies may not be recognised. Most students buy Romanian insurance (from a provider or through the university) with minimum cover of EUR 30,000. The process: take out the policy and attach the original and a copy when applying for the residence permit.
How long does the D/SD visa take to process at the consulate?
The standard period is up to 30 days. An expedited option exists: 1-6 working days for an additional fee (usually EUR 50-100 extra, though not everywhere). It is advisable to file 60-90 days before studies begin to leave a margin.
How long is the student residence permit valid?
The residence permit is issued for the period of study, usually for 1 year at a time. If the programme lasts several years (a bachelor's degree of 3-4 years, a master's of 2 years), it must be renewed each year with a new certificate from the university confirming that studies are continuing. After graduation the right of temporary residence is extended for up to 9 months.
What minimum funds do I need to show for the visa?
You must prove that you have EUR 500-700 a month for the whole period of study (in an account, through a sponsor's letter or through salary). This is a rule of thumb; the consulate may ask for a sum equal to the Romanian average wage multiplied by the number of months of study. The statement must cover the last 3 months and be confirmed by the bank.

Other ways to move to Romania

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Romania.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.