How long it takes
A Romania Schengen visa from the UK is normally decided within 15 calendar days of the date your application is lodged at your VFS Global appointment. As one of the Schengen area's newest members, Romania applies Article 23 of the EU Visa Code and its 15-day standard in full.
The clock starts when VFS accepts your file at the counter, not when you book and not when you start the paperwork. Complete, straightforward applications are often decided well inside 15 days, but the Code allows a longer examination where a case needs closer scrutiny.
| Stage | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Standard decision | 15 calendar days from lodging |
| Extended examination | Up to 45 days (extra documents or checks) |
| Exceptional cases | Up to 60 days |
We don't publish a "current Romania wait time" in days. Romania runs through VFS Global (London, Manchester and Edinburgh), and appointment availability moves constantly: check the live VFS calendar for your city rather than trusting any fixed figure.
When to apply
Two limits frame your timing:
- Earliest: you can lodge your Romania application up to 6 months before your travel date.
- Latest (recommended): at least 15 working days (realistically 3 weeks or more) before you travel, so an extended case still leaves margin.
Romania's UK demand builds through late spring and summer, when Bucharest, Transylvania's castles and the Carpathian mountains see most visitors, with a smaller festive bump around December. City-break traffic to Bucharest and Cluj runs year round. As on every VFS route, the appointment rather than the 15-day decision is usually the bottleneck, so book as soon as your dates are firm.
What can delay it
A decision slips past the 15-day standard for predictable reasons:
- Incomplete documents: a missing bank statement, insurance certificate or proof of UK residence triggers a request that pauses the clock.
- Additional checks: borderline funds, an unclear itinerary, or a profile requiring extra background checks invites closer examination.
- Peak season: the summer months bring the year's heaviest demand.
- Weak UK ties: thin evidence that you'll return (employment, studies, family, property) is the leading trigger for scrutiny and refusal.
The strongest lever you control is completeness. Insurance must cover at least €30,000, and every claim in your file should be backed by a document.
Costs, margin, and the live calendar
Romania is an exception on price: its consulate fee is €80, not the €90 charged by most Schengen states. Budget around £30 for the VFS centre fee (VFS confirms the exact current figure when you book), which puts a typical application at about £175 all in. Compare every country's all-in price on the Schengen destinations table.
Because processing can stretch to 45 days, keep flights and hotels refundable until the visa is issued. For the full step-by-step, see the Romania Schengen visa from the UK guide, price your trip with the Schengen cost calculator, and check your allowance with the 90/180-day calculator.
Sources
Common questions
- 01
How long does a Romania Schengen visa take from the UK?
The standard decision time is 15 calendar days from the date your application is lodged at your VFS Global appointment. As a Schengen member, Romania applies the EU Visa Code, so the examination can extend to 45 days, and exceptionally to 60 days, if extra documents or checks are needed.
- 02
How much does a Romania Schengen visa cost from the UK?
Romania is an exception on price: its consulate fee is €80, not the €90 charged by most Schengen states. Budget around £30 for the VFS service fee (check the exact current figure when you book), which puts a typical application at about £175 all in.
- 03
When should I apply for a Romania visa from the UK?
You can lodge up to 6 months before travel. Apply at least 15 working days (3 weeks or more) ahead, and earlier for summer trips through Transylvania and the Carpathians or the December festive season, when VFS appointments in London, Manchester and Edinburgh tighten.
- 04
Can I speed up a Romania Schengen visa decision?
No. There is no official fast-track that shortens the legal processing time. VFS Global's paid add-ons improve comfort and logistics, not the consulate's decision speed. Lodging early with a complete, consistent file, including €30,000 insurance cover, is the reliable route.