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🇿🇦South Africa
🇷🇴RomaniaZA-RO

South Africa to Romania visa requirements

Yes. South African ordinary passport holders need a visa to visit Romania. South Africa is on the EU visa-required list (Annex I of Regulation 2018/1806), so you must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before travel. Romania became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025. ETIAS does NOT apply to you, since it is only for visa-exempt nationals. A South African ordinary passport holder requires a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa to enter Romania for tourism. South Africa is listed in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806, meaning its nationals are subject to the Schengen visa obligation. Romania has been a full Schengen Area member since 1 January 2025 (internal land border controls lifted), so a Romanian short-stay visa now permits travel throughout the Schengen Area subject to the 90/180 rule. The application is started online at Romania's official portal (evisa.mae.ro) and completed in person at the Romanian Embassy in Pretoria or the Consulate-General in Cape Town (biometrics required for first-time applicants). The standard adult visa fee is EUR 90. Processing must be lodged at least 15 calendar days before travel and may be submitted up to 6 months in advance. Because South Africa is visa-required, the EU ETIAS travel authorisation (launching late 2026) does NOT apply to South African passport holders; ETIAS is only for visa-exempt nationalities. Short stays are limited to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. If sources mention "visa-free 90 days" for South Africans, that is incorrect for ordinary passports and should be disregarded.
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C / Uniform Schengen Visa)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period (Schengen-wide)
per entry
Entries
Single, double or multiple entry (as granted)
from issue date
Visa fee
EUR 90 (adult)
consular fee only
Processing time
Typically 15 calendar days; submit at least 15 days before and up to 6 months before travel
standard track
Validity
Valid for the dates granted within the 180-day window; multiple-entry visas may be valid up to several years
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm you need a Schengen visa
South Africa is in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806, so an ordinary South African passport holder must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before traveling to Romania. ETIAS does not apply to you.
· Visa required· Type C
/02
Start the online application at evisa.mae.ro
Create the initial visa request on Romania's official Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal (evisa.mae.ro), entering your travel and personal details. The online step alone does not grant a visa.
· evisa.mae.ro· Online pre-registration
/03
Book an in-person appointment
Schedule an appointment with the Romanian Embassy in Pretoria or the Consulate-General in Cape Town (or the designated visa service centre) to submit documents and biometrics.
· Appointment required· Pretoria / Cape Town
/04
Gather and submit supporting documents
Bring your passport (valid 6 months beyond stay, with 2 blank pages), travel medical insurance (min EUR 30,000 cover), confirmed accommodation, return/onward flight booking, proof of funds and bank statements, and itinerary. First-time applicants give fingerprints and a photo.
· Biometrics· Insurance EUR 30,000
/05
Pay the visa fee
Pay the EUR 90 adult Schengen visa fee (reduced/waived rates apply for children) at the appointment.
· EUR 90
/06
Collect your passport and check the visa sticker
After processing (allow at least 15 calendar days, longer in peak season), collect your passport and verify the visa validity dates, number of entries and authorised duration before you travel.
· Verify sticker· Allow 15+ days
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
South Africa -> Romania · Schengen short-stay visa (Type C / Uniform Schengen Visa)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RecommendedSouth African passport valid at least 3 months beyond intended departure (6 months recommended), issued within last 10 years, with 2 blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted online application via evisa.mae.ro
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredRecent passport-size biometric photo meeting Schengen specifications
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredTravel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage valid across the Schengen Area
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredConfirmed round-trip / onward flight reservation
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredProof of accommodation for the entire stay (hotel bookings or invitation)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of sufficient funds (recent bank statements, payslips)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RecommendedDetailed travel itinerary / day-by-day plan
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RequiredVisa fee EUR 90 (payable at appointment)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
ConditionalFingerprints / biometrics (first-time applicants or if last submission over 59 months ago)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesEUR-Lex - Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (visa-required nationalities, Annex I)European Commission - Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen Area (Jan 2025)Romania Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Official e-Visa portal
Application link included: EUR-Lex - Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (visa-required nationalities, Annex I)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen short-stay visa fee (adult)EUR 90Standard adult Type C visa fee
Schengen visa fee (children 6-11)EUR 45Reduced rate; children under 6 are free
VFS / service centre feeapprox. ZAR 600-900Charged if applying via an outsourced visa service provider (varies)
Travel medical insuranceapprox. ZAR 300-800Minimum EUR 30,000 Schengen-wide cover; cost varies by trip length and provider
Total estimateEUR 90 (approx. ZAR 1,800) — EUR 90 + service & insurance (approx. ZAR 2,800-3,200)incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard Schengen visa processing
15 calendar days (typical)
Normal decision time once a complete application and biometrics are submitted at the embassy/consulate.
Extended processing
Up to 45 calendar days
Can occur in complex cases, during peak season, or if additional documents are requested.
Early submission window
Up to 6 months before travel
Applications may be lodged as early as 6 months ahead; submit at least 15 days before departure to be safe.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
South Africa is on the EU visa-required list
South Africa is listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, so its nationals must hold a visa to cross the Schengen external border.
High
/02
Romania is a full Schengen member
Since 1 January 2025 Romania applies the common Schengen short-stay visa rules; a Romanian Type C visa is valid Schengen-wide.
High
/03
Tourism is a short-stay purpose
Tourist visits fall under the 90/180-day short-stay category, which is covered by the uniform Schengen visa.
High
/04
ETIAS does not apply to visa-required nationals
ETIAS (launching late 2026) is only for visa-exempt travellers; South Africans need a visa instead, so ETIAS is irrelevant to this route.
Medium
/05
No visa-on-arrival or eVisa-only channel
Romania has no visa-on-arrival for South Africans; the online portal is only a pre-registration step before an in-person consular appointment.
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 · major
South Africa to Romania route verified
Confirmed Schengen short-stay visa requirement for South African ordinary passport holders; verified Romania's full Schengen accession (1 Jan 2025), EUR 90 fee, evisa.mae.ro application channel, and that ETIAS does not apply to visa-required South Africans.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can a South African visit Romania visa-free?—
No. South Africa is on the EU visa-required list (Annex I of Regulation 2018/1806). An ordinary South African passport holder must obtain a Schengen short-stay visa before traveling to Romania.
Do South Africans need ETIAS for Romania?+
How long can I stay in Romania on a Schengen visa?+
Where do South Africans apply for a Romanian visa?+
How much does the Romania Schengen visa cost?+
How early should I apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

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