Romania vs Bulgaria Visa from Dubai: Which Is Easier to Get?

The most important context for this comparison is that both Romania and Bulgaria are now full Schengen members. Romania joined for air and sea travel in March 2024 and completed full integration including land borders in 2025. Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area for air and sea travel in March 2024, with full land border integration also following in 2025.

The practical consequence of this is that both countries now issue identical Schengen Type C short-stay visas — the same format used by Germany, France, and all other Schengen members. A Schengen visa from Romania's Consulate is legally identical to one from Bulgaria's Embassy. Both allow 90 days of stay in the entire 29-country Schengen zone.

This also means that if you already hold a valid Schengen visa from any country, you do not need to apply separately for Romania or Bulgaria — you can enter both on your existing visa. The comparison below is therefore most relevant for UAE residents who need to apply for a fresh Schengen visa.

With the legal framework being identical, the differences between applying for a Romania visa and a Bulgaria visa from Dubai come down to practical factors. Here is a comprehensive comparison of every factor that matters to UAE residents.

The most significant practical difference between a Romania and Bulgaria visa application from Dubai is consulate location. The Romanian Consulate General processes applications through VFS Global in Dubai — meaning you do not need to travel anywhere outside Dubai to submit your application.

The Embassy of Bulgaria in the UAE is located in Abu Dhabi. If you apply directly through the Bulgarian Embassy, you need to travel to Abu Dhabi — a round trip that takes approximately 3 to 4 hours from Dubai and adds a tangible cost and inconvenience. Some applicants can use postal submission, but in-person attendance may be required for biometric collection.

For the vast majority of Dubai residents, the Romania Consulate's Dubai presence makes it the more convenient choice when you need to apply for a fresh Schengen visa and Romania fits your travel plans. Using OraVisa eliminates any remaining inconvenience by handling the entire process — including document preparation and VFS submission — without you needing to attend in person.

Yes — the core document requirements for both Romania and Bulgaria Schengen visas follow the Schengen Visa Code, which means the mandatory documents are identical. Both consulates require the same passport validity, the same Schengen-format application form, the same biometric photographs, and the same categories of supporting documents.

Beyond the visa application process, Romania and Bulgaria offer different but equally compelling travel experiences. If you are applying for your first Schengen visa and want to visit just one country, consider the following comparison to choose your destination.

A popular option for UAE residents is combining both countries in a single Schengen trip — apply through the Romanian Consulate, fly into Bucharest, travel overland or by budget airline to Sofia, and return from Bulgaria. Since both are Schengen members, there are no border checks between them. One visa, two remarkable countries.

Based on OraVisa's experience assisting UAE residents with both Romania and Bulgaria Schengen visa applications, here is our practical guidance.

Choose Romania if:

• You live in Dubai and want the most convenient application process — the Romanian Consulate processes through VFS Global in Dubai
• You want to visit Romania as your primary or only destination
• You want a versatile first Schengen stamp that also allows you to visit other Schengen countries
• You want OraVisa's full service where we handle document preparation, VFS booking, and passport collection without you leaving Dubai

Choose Bulgaria if:

• Bulgaria is your primary destination (Black Sea beach holiday, Sofia city break, or ski trip)
• You are based in Abu Dhabi and the Bulgarian Embassy is more conveniently located for you
• You plan a combined Bulgaria-Greece Schengen trip and Bulgaria is your first point of entry

Visit Both on One Visa:

The most efficient approach for many UAE residents is to apply for a Schengen visa through the Romanian Consulate in Dubai (since it is more convenient), and then travel to both Romania and Bulgaria on the same trip. Apply through Romania, fly to Bucharest, explore Romania for a week, take a budget flight or bus to Sofia, explore Bulgaria, and fly home. One visa application, two countries, no additional cost.