You have picked your program, gathered your documents and decided to study in Romania for a European degree. Then the real question appears: how long will all of this take?
More students every year choose to study in Romania, drawn by affordable tuition, an EU location and a lively capital city in Bucharest. But if you plan to study in Romania from Pakistan, the waiting time between “I applied” and “I have my acceptance letter” decides your intake, your visa appointment and your travel dates.
This guide walks you through the three approval stages, with timelines you can plan around. The examples come from Romanian-American University (RAU), a private university in Bucharest.
Key takeaways for students who study in Romania
- English test results: PTE Academic in around 48 hours, TOEFL iBT in about 3 days, computer-delivered IELTS in 1 to 5 days
- Faculty approval: given after fee submission, usually within 10 to 20 days
- University approval: a minimum of 2 to 2.5 months (approximately 60 to 75 days) after fee submission
- Overall process: 3 to 4 months
Why do so many students choose to study in Romania?
Romania offers a mix that is hard to find elsewhere in Europe. Tuition and living costs are generally lower than in many other European countries, you study in an EU country, and Bucharest gives you modern facilities, good transport and a lively student life. For many families, it feels like the smart middle path between quality and cost.
Stage 1: How fast can you get your English test result?
Most applicants need to prove their English level before the file moves forward, and the test you choose decides how long you wait.
PTE Academic: around 48 hours.
TOEFL iBT: about 3 days.
IELTS (computer-delivered): 1 to 5 days.
IELTS (paper-based): about 13 days.
| Test | Typical result time |
|---|---|
| PTE Academic | Around 48 hours |
| TOEFL iBT | About 3 days |
| IELTS (computer-delivered) | 1 to 5 days |
| IELTS Online | 6 to 8 days |
| IELTS (paper-based) | About 13 days |
If your deadline is close, PTE Academic (around 48 hours) or TOEFL iBT (about 3 days) can save you almost two weeks compared with paper-based IELTS. Students who want to study in Romania from Pakistan can take TOEFL iBT at a test center or from home. Confirm with us which test and score your program accepts before you book. Times can vary slightly by country and test center.
Pro tip: Book your English test (PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT) as soon as you decide, so your result is ready when you submit your application.
Stage 2: Faculty approval is given after fee submission
Once your application and documents are submitted, you pay the fee through the official channels. After the fee is submitted, the faculty reviews your academic file and gives its approval for your chosen program.
Faculty approval is given after fee submission, usually within 10 to 20 days.
This stage moves fastest when your file is clean:
- Send complete documents in one submission
- Use clear, readable PDF scans
- Include your English proficiency proof, if required
- Reply quickly if we ask for a correction
Applicants who want to study in Romania from Pakistan should also ask which documents need translation or attestation, since this is one of the most common causes of delay.
Pro tip: Before you scan anything to study in Romania from Pakistan, ask which documents need attestation or translation.
Stage 3: University approval takes 2 to 2.5 months
This is the stage every student asks about, and it is the longest one. After fee submission, your file needs ministry approval before the university responds, and the faculty approval above happens inside this window.
After fee submission, the university’s approval requires a minimum of 2 to 2.5 months (approximately 60 to 75 days).
The complete process can take 3 to 4 months overall. Apply early so your file is processed in time for your intake.
It can feel like a long wait, but it is a normal part of the process for anyone who wants to study in Romania, and knowing it in advance turns waiting into planning. Once approval comes through, the university issues your Letter of Acceptance, which you use to apply for your student visa.
Golden rule: if you plan to study in Romania from Pakistan, do not book flights or accommodation until your Letter of Acceptance is in your hands.
Your complete timeline to study in Romania from Pakistan
| Step | What happens | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free consultation and program selection | Same day |
| 2 | English proficiency test (PTE, TOEFL or IELTS) | 48 hours to 13 days |
| 3 | Application and document submission | Depends on your documents |
| 4 | Fee payment through official channels | Same day |
| 5 | Faculty approval | 10 to 20 days after fee submission |
| 6 | Ministry approval and university response | 2 to 2.5 months (60 to 75 days) after fee submission |
| 7 | Letter of Acceptance | After approval |
| 8 | Student visa guidance and travel | Depends on the embassy |
| 9 | Overall process | 3 to 4 months (about 90 to 120 days) |
Add it all up and the process to study in Romania can take 3 to 4 months overall (about 90 to 120 days), which is why the students who start early are the ones who arrive in Bucharest stress-free.
Pro tip: Start at least 4 months before your intake, since the whole process can take 3 to 4 months.
Three mistakes that slow down students who study in Romania
Incomplete or blurry documents. A missing page can restart the faculty review, so anyone planning to study in Romania from Pakistan should double-check everything before sending.
Unofficial payments. Always pay through the official bank details provided by the university, never to a personal account.
Starting too late. With university approval alone taking 2 to 2.5 months, a last-minute plan to study in Romania leaves no room for surprises.
Pro tip: Keep every payment receipt and reference number in one folder.
Document checklist to study in Romania from Pakistan
Use this table before you start your application to study in Romania from Pakistan, so nothing sends your file back for corrections.
| Document | What to check | Pro tip |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Valid, with all pages scanned clearly | Scan it first, since every other step needs it |
| Academic certificates | Complete, readable and matching your chosen program | Ask if attestation or translation is required |
| Transcripts | Every page included, with no cut-off edges | Save as one PDF per document |
| Birth certificate | Clear, complete copy with all details readable | Ask if translation or attestation is required |
| Medical certificate | Recent, and issued by a recognized doctor or clinic | Check the exact format your program or embassy asks for |
| Police clearance certificate (PCC) | Recent, and issued by the relevant authority | Apply early, since some authorities take time and validity may be limited |
| Passport-size photo | Recent, clear and plain background | Keep a high-quality digital copy |
| English proficiency proof | Accepted test and score for your program | Choose PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT if time is short |
| Fee payment receipt | Paid through official bank details only | Note the transaction reference and date |
Pro tip: Read every email from the university carefully, and reply quickly to any request for a correction.
Approval stages compared for students who study in Romania
Anyone who wants to study in Romania passes the same four checkpoints, and each one is decided by a different party.
| Stage | Who decides | Approximate time | What you should do |
|---|---|---|---|
| English test result | Test provider | 48 hours to 13 days | Pick the test that fits your deadline |
| Faculty approval | University faculty | 10 to 20 days after fee submission | Send complete, clear documents |
| Ministry approval | Romanian ministry | 2 to 2.5 months (60 to 75 days) after fee submission | Apply early and avoid booking travel |
| Student visa | Embassy or consulate | Depends on the embassy | Book your appointment once you hold the acceptance letter |
| Overall process | All of the above | 3 to 4 months (about 90 to 120 days) | Start at least 4 months before your intake |
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to study in Romania from Pakistan after applying?
After fee submission, faculty approval takes 10 to 20 days, and the university’s approval takes a minimum of 2 to 2.5 months (60 to 75 days) because it needs ministry approval. The complete process usually takes 3 to 4 months.
How long do English proficiency test results take?
PTE Academic usually arrives in around 48 hours, TOEFL iBT in about 3 days, computer-delivered IELTS in 1 to 5 days and paper-based IELTS in about 13 days.
Is visa approval guaranteed?
No. The acceptance letter is required, but the embassy or consulate makes the final decision.
Can first-time applicants apply?
Yes. Students with no experience abroad can apply, and we guide them through every step.
Which English test gives the fastest result?
PTE Academic is the fastest, usually in around 48 hours, followed by TOEFL iBT at about 3 days. Confirm that your program accepts the test before you book.
When do I pay the fee?
You pay after submitting your application and documents, and only through the official bank details. Faculty approval is given after the fee is submitted, so keep the receipt and transaction reference.
Can I book flights before the acceptance letter?
No. Wait for your Letter of Acceptance, since approval dates can shift and early bookings are hard to recover.
Do I need to be in Romania during the approvals?
No. The approval stages are handled remotely, and you travel only after your visa is approved.
What if my documents need attestation or translation?
Ask before you submit, since requirements depend on your program. Getting this right early avoids delays in faculty approval.
Can I study in Romania from Pakistan without an agent?
Yes, you can apply directly. Guidance simply helps you avoid delays, incomplete files and unofficial payments.
How long does the whole process take?
Usually 3 to 4 months overall (about 90 to 120 days), so start at least 4 months before your intake.
Final thoughts
Waiting is the hardest part of any application, but it gets easier when every stage has a name and a number. You now know the three that matter: an English test result in as little as 48 hours, faculty approval within 10 to 20 days of your fee submission, and university approval in 2 to 2.5 months, with the whole journey taking 3 to 4 months. Start early, keep your documents clean, and you can reach Bucharest on your own timeline.
Every step is easier with someone who has walked it before. Global Migration supports students from the first consultation through documents, approvals and visa steps, with no false promises. Book your free consultation today.
Contact Global Migration advisors
Chat with us on WhatsApp for a free consultation and get clear, step-by-step guidance on your Romania application.
Still unsure which university fits you best or how long your approvals will take? Talk to professional study abroad consultants for Romania and get a free evaluation of your profile before you apply.
Fees, deadlines and requirements are set by the university and Romanian authorities and may change. Please confirm current details with the official admissions office.
