If you wish to perform scientific research activities in Romania and you are a citizen of a country outside the European Union and European Economic Area, the research – development institution must obtain for you the favorable opinion of the National Authority for Scientific Research. This favorable opinion can be obtained if the research and development unit is attested under the law and if there is an agreement between it and you concerning your reception as a researcher, in case you have agreed to perform activities within a scientific research project.
The next step is getting long stay visa for scientific research activities, from the diplomatic missions and consular offices.
See a list of them.
The long stay visa
If you want to obtain a long-stay visa for scientific research activities, you must submit the following documents:
– Hosting agreement approved by the National Authority for Scientific Research (the form and conditions under which the hosting agreement shall be concluded will be established by the National Minister of Education)
– the criminal record certificate or other document with the same legal value issued by the authorities in the country of domicile or residence
– Medical insurance valid through the validity period of the visa
The visa fee is 120 EUR and is paid in State where you make the request.
As internal procedure, the long-stay visa receives approval from the National Visa Center only after obtaining the favorable opinion of the General Inspectorate for Immigration. The favorable opinion is issued within 30 days of receiving the request, with the possibility to extend the deadline by 15 days.
The long stay visa is granted for a period of 90 days, with one or more trips.
The residence permit
After entering Romania you must obtain a residence permit. It certifies your right to stay in Romania and you can get it from the territorial units of the General Inspectorate for Immigration in the county where you live. In order to obtain a residence permit, you will submit personally a number of documents at least 30 days before the expiry of the right to stay granted by the visa. You also have the possibility to submit documents through the online service, available at https://portaligi.mai.gov.ro/portaligi/
For the first extension of the right of residence (obtaining the first residence permit) for research activities you must submit the following documents:
– application;
– border crossing document (passport, travel document, etc.) original and duplicate
– the favorable opinion of the National Authority for Scientific Research
– the agreement between the scientific research and development unit / institution and you, which certifies that you have been accepted to carry out this work
– proof of legal ownership of the living space (original and duplicate)
– Proof of financial means amounting to at least the minimum gross wage per economy
– proof of social health insurance
– fees
The residence permit is renewed at least 30 days before the expiration of the previous one. For further extension of the right of residence (getting a new residence permit), you must submit the following documents:
– application;
– Border crossing document (passport, travel document, etc.) original and duplicate
– Proof that you are exercising the scientific research and development activity
– proof of legal ownership of the living space (original and duplicate)
– Proof of financial means amounting to at least the minimum gross wage per economy
– proof of social health insurance
– fees
Terms of validity for the residence permit
The request for the extension of the right of residence shall be resolved within 30 days from the date of its submission. In cases where further checks are required, the deadline for resolving the application may be extended by 15 days.
The right of temporary residence for scientific research activities is extended for the period stipulated in the hosting agreement, but not longer than 5 consecutive years.
The holder of a residence permit issued by another Member State, with the purpose of carrying out scientific research activities, if they are in Romania, can apply for extension of the right of temporary residence in Romania, without the need to obtain first a long-stay visa for this purpose. The residence permit is granted based on the opinion of the National Authority for Scientific Research.
Foreigners who are holders of a right of residence for performing scientific research activities may carry out educational activities under the law.