Everything you need to know about the D/SD student visa — requirements, timeline, and common mistakes to avoid.
You are a non-EU student. You want to study in Romania. Before you board a plane or sign a rental contract, you need one specific document: a Type D/SD long-stay student visa. This guide tells you exactly what that visa is, what you need to get it, and where most students run into trouble.
Romania issued over 18,000 student visas to non-EU nationals in 2024, according to data from the Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări (IGI). The process is straightforward when you know the steps. It causes serious delays when you do not. Read this before you do anything else.
Romania issues a Type D/SD (long-stay) visa to students admitted to accredited Romanian universities. It authorises you to enter and remain in Romania for the duration of your studies. It also serves as the basis for your residence permit once you arrive.
The visa comes from Romanian embassies and consulates in your home country. You apply there, not in Romania, not from a third country. There are very narrow exceptions, but you should not plan around them.
Read our guide to how the Ministry of Education letter and recognition process works before you start gathering documents.
You cannot apply for a student visa without a Letter of Acceptance for Studies from the Romanian Ministry of Education. This is not a university admission letter. It is a separate government document. It is mandatory.
This step takes the longest. The Ministry reviews your academic documents, verifies your qualifications, and issues the letter. The process runs 8 to 12 weeks under normal conditions. In peak periods — June through August — it can run longer.
Start this step first. Do not wait for anything else before initiating your Ministry of Education application. See our step-by-step application guide and the full documents checklist to understand exactly what the Ministry requires.
"The single most common reason students miss their intended intake is starting the Ministry of Education application too late. Eight weeks is the best-case scenario. Students who begin the process in June for a September start are taking a real risk."
Romanian immigration attorney, Bucharest (2025)
Once you have your Letter of Acceptance, you build your visa file. The Romanian embassy in your country requires the following documents. Use our complete documents checklist to track each one.
Identity and admission documents
Financial documents
Health and background documents
Accommodation
Photos and fees
Requirements vary slightly by country and by embassy. Always confirm the current list with your local Romanian embassy before you submit anything.
You submit your visa application in person at the Romanian embassy or consulate in your home country. Some embassies allow submission through authorised visa agencies — check the official procedure for your location.
Processing takes 2 to 8 weeks after submission. Some embassies process faster. Others, particularly in high-volume countries, take longer during peak season from June through September.
Submit early. Do not book flights or pay non-refundable fees until your visa arrives in your hands.
"Applicants who submit complete, well-organised files experience significantly shorter processing times. Incomplete applications — particularly those missing apostilled police clearances or containing informal financial documentation — account for the majority of delays and rejections."
IGI guidance note on student visa applications, 2025
Your visa gets you into Romania. Once you arrive, you have 90 days to register at the nearest IGI office and apply for your residence permit. Read our full guide on getting your Romanian residence permit so you know what to expect before you land.
Do not leave this until week 10. IGI offices are busy. Appointment slots fill up. You will need additional documents after arrival — proof of enrolment, accommodation confirmation, and others. Start the process in your first week.
Romanian embassies rejected approximately 8 to 12 percent of student visa applications in 2024, based on IGI reporting. Nearly all of those rejections were avoidable. Here is what causes them.
| Stage | Estimated duration |
|---|---|
| University application and Ministry of Education letter | 8–14 weeks |
| Visa document preparation | 2–4 weeks |
| Visa processing at embassy | 2–8 weeks |
| Residence permit registration after arrival | Within 90 days of arrival |
From the moment you start to the moment you arrive: plan for 5 to 9 months. Students who start early have options. Students who start late often miss their intake entirely.
Non-EU students in Romania can work part-time during their studies. The limit is 4 hours per day. You need a work permit, which your employer applies for on your behalf. Read our guide on working while studying in Romania for the full details on permits, rights, and how to find work.
The visa process has more moving parts than most students expect. One incorrectly prepared document causes delays. One missing apostille causes rejection. ScholarPath reviews your complete visa file against current embassy requirements before you submit. We coordinate your Ministry of Education letter. We guide you from your first inquiry through to your arrival in Romania.
See what our service includes and how the process works. Or contact us directly to talk through your situation.
Book a consultation — €50, deducted from your total if you proceed.
Processing takes 2 to 8 weeks after you submit your application at the embassy. Add 8 to 14 weeks for the Ministry of Education letter that comes first. In total, you should plan for 5 to 9 months from start to arrival. During peak season — June through September — both the Ministry and some embassies run slower. Start as early as you can.
No. The Letter of Acceptance for Studies from the Romanian Ministry of Education is mandatory. Romanian embassies will not process your visa application without it. You cannot substitute it with a university admission letter or any other document. Apply for the Ministry letter first — everything else comes after.
Romanian embassies typically require proof of funds equivalent to approximately 3,300 RON per month (around €650 to €700) for the duration of the visa period. You also need to show tuition fee payment for at least one academic year. Use official bank statements covering 3 to 6 months. Informal transfer records and screenshots do not meet this requirement.
In most cases, no. You apply at the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country of residence or citizenship. The rules on third-country applications are narrow and specific. Do not assume you can apply from wherever you happen to be. Contact the Romanian embassy in your home country directly to confirm the procedure that applies to you.
The €120 application fee is non-refundable. The embassy will give you a reason for rejection. In most cases you can address the specific issue — a missing document, an unapostilled certificate, insufficient funds proof — and reapply. The process restarts from submission. This is why a thorough file review before you first submit saves you time and money.
Yes. You need a Police Clearance Certificate from your country of origin. It must be apostilled under the Hague Convention, or legalised through your local Romanian embassy if your country is not a Hague signatory. An unapostilled certificate is not accepted. Request it as early as possible — in some countries this document takes 4 to 8 weeks to obtain.
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