Type D/SD Student Visa
1What is the Type D Visa?
- The long-stay student visa (symbol D/SD) is issued to students accepted into a full-time program at an accredited Romanian educational institution (public or approved private).
- This visa is valid for 180 days and allows a cumulative stay of 90 days within that period; upon arrival, you must apply for a student residence permit.
2Processing Time & Application
- The typical processing time for a student visa application is up to 60 days from the date of submission at the consulate.
- Applications must be submitted in person at the Romanian embassy/consulate in the applicant's country of residence.
- This must be verified based on current regulations and individual circumstances.
3After Arriving in Romania
- Holders of a Type D visa must apply for a temporary student residence permit at the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) within the legal timeframe.
- This must be verified based on current regulations and individual circumstances.
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💰Proof of Financial Means — How Much Do You Need?
Important correction: this requirement actually has two distinct stages measured by different figures — don't confuse them. (1) To obtain the D visa at the embassy/consulate, IGI's official guidance requires proof of funds equal to the net national minimum wage for the whole visa validity period; the current approximate net minimum wage (2026) is around 2,699 RON/month (a figure calculated from the gross minimum wage, not one IGI itself publishes directly — always check the current exchange rate before applying). (2) To extend your residence permit inside Romania at IGI, per Article 58 of the foreigners' status ordinance (OUG 194/2002) and IGI's official notice of December 9, 2024, the requirement switched to the gross national minimum wage (not net), held for at least 6 months; the gross minimum wage has been 4,325 RON/month since July 2026.
Source: igi.mai.gov.ro (student visa guide + student residence extension notice, Dec 2024; Article 58, OUG 194/2002).
📋General D Visa Document Checklist (Romanian MFA)
Important: this is Romania's general, nationwide MFA (mae.ro) checklist for the D student visa, not a list directly confirmed against the Romanian Embassy in Tehran's own page (direct, verified access to teheran.mae.ro was not achieved in this research). Embassies sometimes add country-specific documents or steps (an extra interview, specific translation/legalization rules) — always confirm directly with the Romanian Embassy in Tehran or teheran.mae.ro before applying.
- Visa application form (paper form from mae.ro, or via the online eVisa portal at evisa.mae.ro).
- Valid passport with at least 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond the visa's validity.
- Two recent color photographs, 3×4 cm.
- Letter/proof of acceptance for studies, issued by the university or Romania's Ministry of Education.
- Proof of tuition payment for at least one academic year.
- Proof of financial means (see the "Proof of Financial Means" section above).
- Travel/medical insurance covering the full stay, with minimum €30,000 coverage.
- Criminal record certificate.
- Proof of accommodation in Romania.
- Proof of language proficiency relevant to the study program (waived if enrolling in the Romanian-language preparatory year).
- Parental/guardian consent, if the applicant is a minor.
- Visa fee (€300 as of April 27, 2026; previously €120; waived for holders of the Romanian government scholarship).
Source: mae.ro (general D/SD student visa checklist), corroborated by UEFISCDI (Romania's state research/education funding agency), Politehnica Timișoara's international office, and Romanian-American University. The visa fee figure was updated per the official fee page at eviza.mae.ro/VisaFees (April 27, 2026); applications submitted before that date are processed at the old 120 EUR rate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my tourist visa to a student visa inside Romania?
No, Romanian immigration laws do not allow converting a short-stay tourist visa (Type C) into a student visa from within the country. You must apply for a Type D student visa from your home country or country of legal residence.
How long does the embassy take to issue the visa?
Processing can typically take up to 60 days from the date of your interview and full document submission at the consulate.
How much money do I need for financial proof?
For the D visa itself at the embassy: the net national minimum wage (around 2,699 RON/month, 2026). For extending residence inside Romania: the gross national minimum wage (4,325 RON/month as of July 2026), held for at least 6 months — these are two different figures, don't confuse them.
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This guide is part of the "Study in Romania" collection.