Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | B-2 visitor visa |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate |
| Where to apply | Online DS-160 form, then an interview |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Romania is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Romanian citizens need a B-2 visitor visa for a holiday in the United States, including a trip to Manhattan. Apply with the online DS-160 form and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate. Start well before travel and check travel.state.gov for current embassy and consulate instructions, because appointments and document rules can change.
What the status means
Romania is not in the Visa Waiver Program. Romanian citizens need a B-2 visitor visa for a holiday in the United States, including a trip to Manhattan. The B-2 covers a temporary visit for tourism and similar activities. It does not authorize work, study, or settlement. Apply before committing to travel plans that cannot be changed, because a visa decision is never automatic.
The application has several parts. Complete the online DS-160 form, pay the application fee through the official route, and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate. Attend the interview with the required documents. The visa decision is made by the embassy or consulate, not by a travel site. Check travel.state.gov for current forms, appointment instructions, and document requirements, because these can change.
Before you fly and on arrival
Before booking flights, confirm that the passport contains a valid US visa for the intended trip. Keep the DS-160 confirmation, interview documents, and visa in hand luggage. Check travel.state.gov for current entry rules. A visa does not guarantee admission. US Customs and Border Protection makes the final decision at the port of entry. Prepare clear answers about the purpose of the visit and the return journey.
Arrivals at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark pass through US Customs and Border Protection. Have the passport with visa, the DS-160 confirmation, and hotel details ready. The officer may ask about the trip, the length of stay, the address in Manhattan, and the return plan. Answer factually and keep supporting papers accessible. After inspection, collect luggage and use public transport or a licensed car service into the city.
Staying in Manhattan
Carry a hotel confirmation that shows the address and the dates of the stay. A reservation is useful at the airport and during the visa interview, but it does not replace the visa. Keep a return ticket or a clear return plan, because the officer may ask how the trip ends. Travel insurance is sensible but not a substitute for the visa. Check the official site for current entry requirements before departure.
Plan the transfer from the airport before arrival. Public transport connects JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark with Manhattan, and licensed car services are another option. Keep luggage within easy reach on trains and buses. A printed or offline copy of the hotel address helps if phone service fails. The hotel can confirm check-in rules, but entry to the United States is decided by Customs and Border Protection.
Longer stays, work or study
A B-2 visitor visa is for a temporary holiday and similar visitor purposes. It is not the right category for employment, long-term study, or settlement in the United States. Romanian citizens who plan to work or study need to explore the visa category that matches the purpose. The official travel.state.gov site explains the categories and the application route. Check it before making commitments in Manhattan or elsewhere.
Do not use a visitor visa to take up work or a course of study that requires another status. If the purpose changes, check the official site for guidance before traveling. The site does not issue visas and gives no legal advice. For categories beyond a holiday, read travel.state.gov carefully and follow the instructions for the relevant application. Ask the embassy or consulate about the correct route.
How to apply for a visitor visa
- Complete the online DS-160 form with accurate personal, travel, and passport details for the intended trip.
- Pay the application fee through the official route named on travel.state.gov, and keep the receipt.
- Book an interview at a US embassy or consulate and follow its current appointment instructions.
- Attend the interview with the passport, DS-160 confirmation, photo if required, hotel plan, and return details.
- Wait for the passport to be returned with the visa decision, and check the visa details for errors.
- Travel to New York and present the passport and supporting documents to Customs and Border Protection on arrival.
Documents to carry
- Passport with a valid US visa for the trip
- DS-160 confirmation page and interview documents
- Hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address and stay dates
- Return ticket or a clear return plan
- Travel insurance details and emergency contacts
Romanian citizens: questions
Do Romanian citizens need a visa to visit Manhattan?
Yes. Romania is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Romanian citizens need a B-2 visitor visa for a holiday in Manhattan and elsewhere in the United States. Apply with the online DS-160 form and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate. Check travel.state.gov for current instructions before booking travel.
Where do Romanian citizens apply for a United States visitor visa?
Romanian citizens apply at a US embassy or consulate. Start with the online DS-160 form, pay the application fee through the official route, and book an interview. The interview covers the purpose of the trip, the Manhattan stay, and the return plan. Check travel.state.gov for current instructions, because appointment and document rules can change.
What should Romanian citizens carry when arriving in Manhattan?
Carry the passport with the US visa, the DS-160 confirmation, hotel confirmation with the Manhattan address, and return details. Keep these papers accessible for Customs and Border Protection. The officer may ask about the purpose of the trip and the length of stay. Check the official site for current entry rules before departure.
Can Romanian citizens work in Manhattan on a B-2 visitor visa?
No. A B-2 visitor visa is for a temporary holiday and similar visitor purposes, not employment. Romanian citizens who plan to work in Manhattan or study in the United States need the visa category that matches the purpose. Read travel.state.gov for the current categories and follow the official instructions. The site gives no legal advice.
How early should Romanian citizens apply for a US visitor visa?
Romanian citizens should start the visitor visa application well before the planned departure date. Book the interview once the trip is likely, and check travel.state.gov for current appointment availability at the embassy or consulate. Avoid confirming flights or a Manhattan hotel until the visa is in the passport.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.