Romania entry requirements for Senegal passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 29, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Senegalese passport holders need a visa to enter Romania in 2026. You must apply online before you travel — there is no visa-on-arrival option. Plan ahead, as processing can take several weeks.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
eVisa application
Apply online before travel
Senegalese passport holders need a visa to enter Romania. Apply through the Romanian eVisa portal at evisa.mae.ro/en. Processing takes up to 30 days — apply at least 4 weeks before your trip.Apply for eVisaRequired
Valid passport
Must cover entire stay
Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay in Romania. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by Romanian law, but airlines may enforce 3 months validity — check with your carrier.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of exit from Schengen area
Romania is part of the Schengen zone. Border officers will ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen area within your visa's validity. Have a printed or digital copy ready.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or invitation letter
Have a hotel reservation, rental agreement, or a notarized invitation letter from a Romanian host ready. Immigration may ask for it at the border.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself
Carry bank statements, a credit card, or cash equivalent to at least €50 per day of your stay. Border officers rarely ask, but it's better to have proof ready.Recommended
Apply early — no rush service
Romanian visa processing can take up to 30 days. There is no expedited option for Senegalese passport holders. Do not book flights or hotels until you have the visa sticker in hand.
Visa is for Romania only, not Schengen
A Romanian visa does not let you enter other EU countries. If you plan to visit France, Germany, or elsewhere in the Schengen area, you need a separate Schengen visa.

What happens at the border

1
Apply for the visa online
Go to evisa.mae.ro, create an account, fill in the application, upload your documents (passport scan, photo, travel itinerary, accommodation, insurance), and pay the fee. Processing takes 10–30 days, so apply at least a month before your trip.
2
Wait for approval and receive the visa sticker
Once approved, you'll get a visa sticker affixed to your passport (either mailed or collected from the embassy in Dakar). Check that all details (name, dates, validity) are correct.
3
Arrive at a Romanian airport or land border
Present your passport with the visa sticker at immigration. Common entry points: Henri Coandă Airport (OTP) in Bucharest, or land borders from Hungary, Bulgaria, or Moldova. The officer may ask for your return ticket and accommodation proof.
4
Get your passport stamped
The officer will stamp your passport with the entry date and the allowed stay duration. Count your days from that stamp — overstaying can lead to fines or a ban.
Download Romania Entry Checklist
PDF · Senegal Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 29, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)

Standard Schengen visa; must apply at Romanian embassy/consulate.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 1 year (subject to approval)
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)

Same fee as single entry; requires justification for multiple trips.

Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stay90 days to 1 year
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€120 (~$130 USD)

For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship.

work visa
Romanian Work Visa (D/AM)
1 year, renewable
€120 (~$130 USD) application fee
For employment with a Romanian company. Requires a work permit obtained by employer. Allows residence and work.
student visa
Romanian Student Visa (D/SD)
Duration of studies, renewable annually
€120 (~$130 USD) application fee
For enrollment in accredited Romanian educational institutions. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
family reunification visa
Family Reunification Visa (D/VF)
1 year, renewable
€120 (~$130 USD) application fee
For family members of Romanian residents or citizens. Requires proof of relationship and sponsor's legal status.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Standard Schengen visa fee for adults.€80 (~$87 USD)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity.€80 (~$87 USD)
Overstay fine per dayApplied for overstaying visa-free or visa period.€4 (~$4.35 USD) per day, max €400 (~$435 USD)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds proof30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete visa application20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Romania

Transit visa required

Senegal passport holders need an airport transit visa to change flights in Romania, even if staying airside.

Exceptions & conditions
  • Holders of a valid Schengen visa or residence permit are exempt.
  • Holders of a valid visa or residence permit from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, or Romania are exempt.
Transit hubsHenri Coandă International Airport (OTP) – Bucharest · Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ) · Timișoara Traian Vuia International Airport (TSR)

Health & vaccines for Romania

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., Senegal).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)EssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk

Risk in forested areas, especially from April to November. Consider vaccination if hiking.

Lyme diseaseModerate risk

Transmitted by ticks in rural areas. Use repellent and check for ticks.

Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk

Standard hygiene precautions recommended; tap water is generally safe in cities.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Bucharest
General Inspectorate for Immigration
Str. Nicolae Dărăscu nr. 7, sector 1
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30

Main office for visa extensions and residence permits.

Cluj-Napoca
Cluj County Immigration Office
Str. Traian nr. 182
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30

Handles visa-related issues in Transylvania region.

Practical information for SN travellers

Country basics
CapitalBucharest
LanguageRomanian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid with IDP.
Money
CurrencyRomanian Leu (RON)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 4.51 RON
updated May 29
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h (EST) / +7h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+10h (PST) / +10h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Use bottled water. Tap water varies significantly by region.
Emergency numbers
Police112
Medical112
EU emergency112
US EmbassyFind contact

Nearby destinations you can also visit

Countries close to Romania — with your same passport.

Frequently asked questions

Processing typically takes 10 to 30 days after you submit your online application at evisa.mae.ro. Apply at least a month before your planned travel date to be safe.
No. Romania does not offer visa on arrival for Senegalese passport holders. You must have an approved visa before you board your flight.
The standard short-stay visa fee is around 80 EUR (about 52,000 XOF), but check the evisa.mae.ro site for the current amount. Additional service fees may apply.
Not necessarily. The entire application is online. However, if you need to submit biometrics or collect your passport with the visa sticker, you may need to go to the embassy. Confirm with the embassy after your application is approved.
No. The visa is not extendable. You must leave before the expiry date shown on your visa sticker. Overstaying can result in fines or a re-entry ban.
You'll need a scanned copy of your passport (all pages with stamps), a recent passport-style photo, flight itinerary, accommodation bookings, travel insurance, proof of sufficient funds (bank statements), and a cover letter explaining your trip purpose.
Yes, for the visa application itself. You must show insurance covering medical emergencies and repatriation for the entire stay. It's also smart to have it for your own protection.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 29, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.