Romania student visa (D/SD) and study residence permit

The D/SD visa is for students admitted to full-time courses at a state or private university that is accredited or provisionally authorised, including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral programmes. It also covers pupils aged 13 to 19 in recognised exchange schemes, foreigners of Romanian origin at state high schools, and trainees who graduated in the last two years or are studying towards a degree and come for unpaid training.

The decisive document is the letter of acceptance to studies issued by the Ministry of Education, not only the university’s offer, so start the admission and Ministry steps early. You must also prove knowledge of the language of instruction, except for those enrolled in the preparatory Romanian-language year.

Degree students show proof that tuition for at least one academic year has been paid and that they have means of support of at least the guaranteed minimum gross base salary for every month entered in the visa. That salary is RON 4,325 a month from 1 July 2026 (RON 4,050 before). For the residence permit you show the same monthly amount for at least 6 months.

Holders of Romanian state scholarships, and scholarship holders of accredited state universities, do not have to prove tuition payment or funds; ethnic Romanians do not have to prove funds. State scholarship holders are also exempt from the visa and permit fees.

Register the D/SD application on the e-Visa portal, attend the appointment at the Romanian mission with the originals and pay EUR 300. Because the long-stay visa needs a favourable opinion from IGI before the National Visa Centre approves it, allow at least 30 days (plus a possible 15) after submission; universities advise applying at least 45 days before departure.

The visa is issued for 90 days with one or more entries. It is not extended: inside Romania you switch to a residence permit.

At least 30 days before the visa’s right of stay ends, apply in person at the IGI office of the county where you live, or online through Portal IGI. Bring the application form, passport, acceptance letter (first extension only), the university’s certificate of full-time enrolment, proof of funds for at least 6 months, proof of lawful housing, a medical certificate and the fee receipts: EUR 120 in lei to the Treasury and RON 265 at CEC Bank.

Students aged 26 or over need Romanian social health insurance for the extension. IGI decides within 30 days, extendable by 15, and may ask for missing papers within a deadline of up to 30 days.

Study permit holders may work without a work permit, but only on a part-time contract of at most 6 hours a day. The permit is extended for the total length of studies; if you have not finished in time, one more extension of up to a year can be granted to complete the degree. Changing the study programme is allowed as long as the total planned stay is not exceeded; otherwise a new D/SD visa is needed.

After graduation the permit can be extended by up to 6 months to finalise your academic file, or by 9 months to look for a job or open a business. Students holding a study permit from another EU state can come for up to 360 days under the mobility rules after the university notifies IGI 30 days ahead.