Embassy of the United States Bucharest, Romania

STEP 1: PAY THE APPLICATION FEES

• Pay the visa application fee and the PIN number fee (USD 11) at any branch of Banca Transilvania.
• NOTE FOR VISA APPLICATION FEES - Each applicant must pay the visa application fee in person. The fee for applying for a nonimmigrant visa depends on the visa category. It is non-refundable and non-transferable. Applicants must pay the fee in advance of submitting a DS-160 application and bring the original receipt to the interview. For more information on the visa issuance fee and other visa fees, please visit the Fees and Reciprocity Tables page.

Effective April 13, 2012 the NEW VISA FEES are as follows:

• Non-petition based applications (B1/B2, C1/D, I, F, M, J)
  –$ 160
• Petition-based applications (H, L, O, P, Q, R) - $ 190
• E visas - $ 270
• K visas - $ 240

• NOTE FOR PIN NUMBER FEES – PIN number fees may also be paid over the phone using a credit card when calling the call center to schedule an appointment for an interview. See Step 3 for scheduling an appointment.

STEP 2: FILL OUT THE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM DS-160

• Visa application form DS-160 is mandatory for all non-immigrant visa applicants. The online application form is available at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. Further instructions (PDF - 4.4MB) and information (PDF - 301kb) can be viewed prior to filling out the DS-160 form. Please read these instructions prior to completing the form.
• Once completed, the information in the DS-160 will be electronically transmitted. Applicants should print the confirmation page and bring it on the day of the scheduled appointment. Applicants should also bring a photo and other supporting documents (PDF 138kb). Applicants do not need to bring a copy of the application form with you to the interview.
• Applicants must have the confirmation page prior to contacting the call center for an appointment.
• Applicants who provide incorrect or incomplete information on their application forms will be contacted by Consular Section staff and will be instructed to correct the information and re-submit their applications. Instructions on how to access applications if this occurs can be found at: http://romania.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/updates-ds-160.pdf (PDF - 423kb). We strongly urge you to read these instructions to avoid problems on the day of your appointment, including the possible rescheduling of your interview.
• For the most recent information on DS-160 form, please visit Frequently Asked Questions for the Online DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application.

STEP 3: SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN INTERVIEW

All applicants (except those who qualify for the Visa Renewal program) must appear at the Consular Section for a personal interview. Appointments are scheduled through a call center, not through the Consular Section.

HOW?

• Once an applicant has paid the PIN number fee (USD 11) at any branch of Banca Transilvania, the PIN will become active the next business day after 1:00 pm.
• Have the confirmation page ready at the time of the call; the appointment will not be scheduled without this information and the caller’s PIN number will not be reuseable unless the call can be completed in the following four hours.
• Call the call center at 03 71 72 00 53 Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to schedule an interview. At this time applicants, may also use their credit cards to pay the PIN number fee if it has not already been done at Banca Transilvania.
• Applicants or their relatives in the United States may call 1 888 882 7125 Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Romanian local time) to schedule an appointment for an interview.
• Provide the information requested by the call center agent.
• With one PIN number you may schedule appointments for up to five members of a family at the same address.
• To reschedule an appointment please contact the call center, NOT the Consular Section.
• If you are in need of an emergency appointment, please check our Emergency Appointments page.

NOTE - Have problems with your PIN number? Here are some TIPS!

• A PIN number purchased at Banca Transilvania is valid after 1:00 p.m., the next business day. It may be used anytime once it is valid, but it is valid for only one transaction.
• PIN numbers that are purchased by credit/debit card are immediately valid; they are also valid for only one transaction. Once the call center is contacted, individuals will be asked for the credit/debit card information. The PIN number then becomes active immediately and allows for an individual to speak to the operator. If you want to reschedule your appointment, or need further information, call the call center again, enter the last 4 digits of your card number and the operator will answer. This option is valid on the same transaction for the same day ONLY, within four business hours.
• Only if there is a problem with the PIN number, and a caller is told the number cannot be validated, they should follow these steps:
  a. Call the call center again.
  b. Do not select any option but wait until the message tape is complete.
  c. Speak to the operator. If the operator still cannot validate the PIN, ask for the information on how to submit the PIN receipt to the call center supervisor.
  d. Submit the receipt to the call center supervisor who will be able to schedule the appointment: usembassycustomerservice@gmail.com . If you still encounter any problems in getting in touch with the call center, please use another phone service provider.
• To avoid peak hours, it is best to contact the call center after 3:00 p.m. or between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. (Romanian local time).

NOTE – The call center agents are not Embassy employees. They may answer general questions about the visa application process but cannot give advice about specific cases. For more information on the various types of visas, please visit the Non-Immigrant Visas page.

STEP 4: IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT DAY

• Fingerprints: In the event you have a temporary injury that affects your fingertips or hands, we may ask you to return at a later date in order to capture your fingerprints. Examples of temporary injuries could include cuts, burns, or blisters on fingertips and broken arms or hands.
• Applicants may not bring any electronic devices, metal objects, large bags, liquids, weapons, and/or any other items as instructed by the Embassy’s security guards.

STEP 5: ON THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT

• Have a question about necessary paperwork? CLICK HERE! (PDF - 138kb)
• After the security check, please go to the Reception windows to have your documents processed.
• Once your documents are processed, please have a seat in the waiting room, and the consular staff will call you to have your fingerprints captured.
• Wait in line for the next available consular officer to have your interview.

STEP 6: COURIER SERVICES

• Those applicants who are issued a nonimmigrant visa will be required to use a courier service for the return of their passport. This service is mandatory for the delivery of all residents of Romania, including residents of Bucharest.
• We recommend that applicants fill out and print an airway bill for the courier service ahead of their appointment at the following link: http://sameday.mailorder.ro/awbusa.aspx.
• Courier services are provided by Sameday Courier (www.sameday.ro). The courier representative is available at the Consulate every day Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. to assist and answer questions.

For any visa-related question not answered on the consular section’s website, applicants may refer to the A-Z Subject Index or send a message to the following email address: VisasBucharest@state.gov. In most cases, the message will be answered within 3 business days.