Find visa optionsFind visas
Menu

Romania · family · Leads to settlement

Family Reunification (Romania)

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 11 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

If a close family member already lives lawfully in Romania, this route lets you join them and build toward settlement together.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyGenerally aligned to the sponsor's residence and renewable - confirm current validity on the official page.
Processing time
Indicative only - IGI settles reunification requests within a set period, then visas follow within a window; confirm current processing on the official page.
Government fees
Indicative only - visa and residence-permit fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
Typical duration
Generally aligned to the sponsor's residence and renewable - confirm current validity on the official page.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗

In short

As of 10 July 2026, the Family Reunification (Romania) for Romania is a sponsor-led Romania immigration route. Sources: official Romania government pages, reviewed 10 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/romania/family-reunification#answer

What is the Family Reunification (Romania) in Romania?

Family Reunification (Romania) is a sponsor-led Romania route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - visa and residence-permit fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - IGI settles reunification requests within a set period, then visas follow within a window; confirm current processing on the official page; typical duration is Generally aligned to the sponsor's residence and renewable - confirm current validity on the official page. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

Family reunification lets the spouse, minor or adopted children, and in some cases other dependants, of a non-EU national lawfully residing in Romania join them. The sponsor requests reunification with IGI, which decides within a set period; once approved, your family members have a window to obtain their long-stay (type D) visas. The relationship, accommodation and means of support are evidenced. It is a settlement-capable route, with lawful time counting toward EU long-term residence.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the sponsor's residence status supports reunification and that you have a qualifying relationship.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Gather relationship certificates, the sponsor's status proof, accommodation and means evidence.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Have the sponsor file the reunification request with IGI; once approved, obtain the type D visa within the set window.

  4. After approval

    Apply to IGI for the residence permit, renew alongside the sponsor, and track time toward EU long-term residence.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Family Reunification (Romania), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Family Reunification (Romania) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Romania

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Romania. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use official Family Reunification (Romania) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Family Reunification (Romania).

    General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) · verified

Also explored by

Indian Filipino Nigerian

Compare Romania with

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How long does the request take?+

IGI settles family-reunification requests within a set period, after which your family has a window to obtain their long-stay visas. Confirm the current timelines on the official IGI page.

Who counts as family?+

It typically covers the spouse and minor or adopted children, and in some cases other dependants. Confirm who qualifies on the official IGI page.

Who files the family reunification application - me or the relative already in Romania?+

The sponsor already residing lawfully in Romania files the reunification request with IGI; once approved, your family members have a window to obtain their long-stay (type D) visas. Confirm the current process on the official IGI page.

If my family joins me through reunification, can they eventually settle in Romania too?+

Yes - family reunification is a settlement-capable route, with lawful time counting toward EU long-term residence. Confirm the current rules on the official IGI page.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Romania

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

CompareFind visa options