🇨🇳CHINA

🏳ROCN-RO

Do China passport holders need a visa to visit RO?

Q: Do I need ETIAS for Romania?

No. ETIAS applies only to visa-exempt nationalities. Chinese citizens need a full Schengen visa, not ETIAS.

Q: Is a Romanian visa valid for the rest of Schengen?

Yes. Since Romania joined Schengen, a uniform Schengen visa issued by Romania is valid across the entire Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Q: How much does the visa cost?

The government fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6-11; children under 6 are exempt. A visa-centre service fee of roughly EUR 25-35 also applies.

Q: How early should I apply?

You can apply up to 6 months before travel and no later than 15 working days beforehand. Applying 4-6 weeks ahead is recommended to absorb peak-season delays.

Q: Do I need to give fingerprints?

Yes, unless you provided biometrics for a Schengen visa within the past 5 years. New applicants must attend in person for fingerprints and a digital photo.

Chinese ordinary passport holders need a Schengen Type C short-stay visa to visit Romania. Romania is a full Schengen member since 1 January 2025, so a uniform Schengen visa (not a national visa) applies. As of 30 May 2026, holders of an ordinary Chinese passport require a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa for tourism in Romania. Romania completed Schengen accession on 1 January 2025 (air and sea borders had already opened on 31 March 2024), so it now issues uniform Schengen visas valid across the entire Schengen Area. A Type C visa permits stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. China is not on the EU visa-exempt list, so ETIAS does not apply to Chinese citizens — a full visa is required instead. Applications are submitted through the Romanian embassy/consulate or the authorised visa centre in China, with biometrics (fingerprints + photo) collected unless given within the prior 5 years. The standard government fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6-11, plus a service-centre fee. Apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 working days before travel; standard processing is around 15 calendar days but can extend to several weeks in peak season. Travellers should also be aware of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which records short-stay border crossings.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Schengen short-stay visa (Type C)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period

per entry

Entries

Single, double or multiple (as granted)

from issue date

Visa fee

EUR 90 (adult); EUR 45 (child 6-11)

consular fee only

Processing time

~15 calendar days (up to 45 in peak season)

standard track

Validity

As granted, within the 90/180 Schengen rule

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm the visa type

For tourism, apply for a Schengen Type C short-stay visa. Romania issues uniform Schengen visas since 31 March 2024, so the visa is valid throughout the Schengen Area.

· Type C· Schengen-wide

/02

Gather documents

Prepare a passport valid 3+ months beyond departure with 2 blank pages, completed application form, recent biometric photo, round-trip flight reservation, hotel/accommodation bookings, travel medical insurance (min. EUR 30,000 cover), and proof of funds.

· Insurance EUR 30,000· Passport 3+ months

/03

Book an appointment

Submit through the Romanian Embassy/Consulate in China or the authorised visa application centre. Book early — appointment slots fill up in peak season.

· Embassy / visa centre

/04

Attend and give biometrics

Attend in person to submit documents and provide fingerprints and a digital photo. Biometrics are reused if collected for a Schengen visa within the past 5 years.

· Fingerprints + photo· 5-year reuse

/05

Pay fees and wait

Pay the EUR 90 visa fee plus the visa-centre service fee. Standard processing is about 15 calendar days; apply at least 15 working days (ideally 4-6 weeks) before travel.

· EUR 90 + service fee

/06

Collect passport and travel

Retrieve your passport with the visa, verify the validity dates and number of entries, and observe the 90/180-day limit on arrival.

· 90/180 rule

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

Passport valid at least 3 months beyond intended departure, with 2 blank pages

required

Completed and signed Schengen visa application form

required

One recent biometric passport photo

required

Travel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage for the Schengen Area

required

Round-trip flight reservation / itinerary

required

Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings or invitation)

required

Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, employment / income proof)

required

Visa fee payment (EUR 90 adult) plus service-centre fee

required

Detailed travel itinerary / cover letter

recommended

Previous visas / travel history (if any)

recommended

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Schengen visa fee (adult)EUR 90Standard government fee for applicants 12+

Schengen visa fee (child 6-11)EUR 45Children under 6 are exempt

Visa centre service feeEUR 25-35Charged by the authorised application centre, varies

Travel medical insuranceEUR 30-60Minimum EUR 30,000 coverage; cost varies by trip length

Total estimateEUR 115 — EUR 185incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard processing

~15 calendar days

Typical decision time after a complete application is submitted; may extend up to 45 days in peak season or if extra checks are needed.

Early application

Up to 6 months ahead

Applications can be lodged as early as 6 months and no later than 15 working days before travel to avoid peak-season delays.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

China is not on the EU visa-exempt list

Chinese ordinary passport holders are not eligible for visa-free entry or ETIAS, so a full Schengen visa is mandatory.

High

/02

Romania is now a full Schengen member

Since 1 January 2025 Romania applies the full Schengen acquis and issues uniform Schengen visas instead of national short-stay visas.

High

/03

Tourism is a short-stay purpose

Sightseeing and visiting friends/relatives fall under Type C short-stay rules capped at 90 days per 180.

High

/04

Biometric enrolment required

First-time and lapsed applicants must appear in person for fingerprints and a photo.

Medium

/05

Entry/Exit System (EES) in force

Short-stay crossings are electronically recorded at Schengen external borders, tracking the 90/180 allowance.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30

China to Romania route verified

Confirmed via the European Commission that Romania fully joined Schengen (land borders 1 Jan 2025); Chinese ordinary passport holders require a Schengen Type C visa (EUR 90 adult / EUR 45 child), ETIAS does not apply, and the 90/180 stay rule and EES apply.

/09 — The questions