Visas

Questions & Answers

How do I apply for a non-immigrant visa?
With a few exceptions, all visa applicants must apply for a visa in person. To schedule your visa interview, follow these steps.

1. Pay the $131 USD fee and get a PIN ($11 USD) at any Banca Transilvania
2. Call the Call Center at 0800-88-8472 or 021-202-9999 Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm to schedule your appointment.
3. Bring your receipt, your passport, your application form, and any other required documents to the interview.

For more information about scheduling an interview, visit the Scheduling an Appointment page.

I am applying for a visa for my minor child. Does the child need to come for the interview?
Generally, any applicant under 14 years of age does not need to be present at the interview. However, any visa applicant under 18 years old who does come to apply for a visa must be accompanied by at least one parent or legal guardian. The consular officer may also ask to see a notarized declaration from the other parent giving permission for the child to travel to the United States.

I have a visa that is still valid in my old passport, but the passport has expired. Can I still use that visa, or do I need to get it transferred to my new passport?
You must travel with both passports, the old passport with the valid U.S. visa and the new passport. It is not necessary to get a new visa if the visa in the old passport is still valid.

What should I bring with me to my tourist visa interview?
The following items are mandatory: a valid passport, your receipt from Banca Transilvania for the visa processing fee, a passport-type photograph, the application form (DS-156).

You should also bring documents that demonstrate your ties to Romania, a solid financial situation, and proof of your employment. These might include birth and marriage certificates, bank statements, a letter from your employer including your start date and salary, property deeds, etc. Old passports showing previous travel are helpful. Please have these documents ready in case the interviewing consul asks to see them.

You may bring also bring letter of invitation and evidence of financial support from the person you are visiting in the United States. However, please be aware the primary focus of the visa interview will be on your own ties to Romania. It is not possible for a U.S. citizen or resident to sponsor a visitor if that visitor does not otherwise qualify for a tourist visa.

Should I have my documents translated into English?
It is not necessary to have the documents translated for a nonimmigrant visa application. It is, however, helpful to bring original documents rather than copies.

Should I purchase my airline tickets in advance to prove that I really want a visa and to validate my destination?
Do not purchase airline tickets before obtaining a visa. Possession of pre-paid airline tickets to the United States will not be a factor in the consular officer’s decision. The only exception to this is if you are applying for a transit visa and are traveling through the U.S. on your way to another destination.

How long do I have to wait to get a visa interview?
A number of factors influence how long it takes to get a visa interview. To check the current wait time, click here.

When do I find out the result of my interview? When do I get my passport back?
In most cases, the consular officer makes a decision at the conclusion of the visa interview. If an applicant qualifies for a visa, the visa and passport will be ready the following business day. If the applicant does not qualify for a visa, the passport is returned at the conclusion of the visa interview. In some cases, visa applicants are asked to come back at a later date with more documentation.

How can I work legally in the United States?
In order for a foreign national to work in the United States, a company in the United States must file a work petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After the petition has been approved, the USCIS will inform the applicant in writing with a form known as a "Notice of Action." Once the applicant has the Notice of Action, he can schedule a visa interview.

Are there any special requirements when applying for a business visa?
Applicants traveling for business purposes, like other applicants, are required to demonstrate strong ties to Romania that will compel them to return to Romania after a brief visit. They must also demonstrate that they plan to travel to the United States on bona fide business. This is often done by providing an invitation from a U.S. company as well as documents that establish an ongoing or proposed business relationship between that company and the Romanian employer.

I'd like to study in the United States. How can I go about doing this?
The best resource for researching opportunities to study in the U.S. is the Fulbright Educational Advising Center.

I was denied a visa and I want to talk to someone at the Embassy. Who should I call?
The decision whether or not to issue a visa is the consular officer’s alone. Neither the Consul General nor the Ambassador has the authority to overturn a consular officer’s decision. If you would like to submit a comment or question about your interview, send an email to VisasBucharest@state.gov.

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