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State Department: Romania - Consular Information Sheet, January 31, 1996
Romania - Consular Information Sheet
January 31, 1996
Country Description: Romania has undergone profound political and
economic changes since the 1989 revolution and is in a period of
economic transition. Most tourist facilities, while being upgraded,
have not yet reached Western European standards.
Entry Requirements: Tourist visas for stays of up to thirty days
are not required. For stays of longer than thirty days, visas may
be obtained from a Romanian embassy or consulate abroad. These may
be extended at passport offices in Romania in the area of residence.
Travelers can obtain a visa and other information regarding entry
requirements from the Romanian Embassy at 1607 23rd St., N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone number (202) 232-4747 or the
Romanian consulates in Los Angeles or New York City.
Medical Facilities: Medical care in Romania is limited. There is
a severe shortage of basic medical supplies. Doctors and hospitals
often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S.
medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.
Travelers have found supplemental medical insurance with specific
overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation by
air, useful.
There have been a number of confirmed cases of cholera, mainly in
the Constanta Region. Further information on health matters can be
obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
International travelers' hotline on (404) 332-4559.
Crime Information: Crimes against tourists (robbery, mugging,
pickpocketing, and confidence scams perpetrated by black-market
money changers) are a growing problem in Romania. Organized groups
of thieves and pickpockets operate in the train stations and on
trains and buses in major cities. A number of thefts have occurred
on overnight trains, including thefts from passengers in closed
compartments. In Bucharest, street crime is increasing, though
physical assaults of any kind are still rare. Money exchange
schemes targeting travelers have become increasingly common in
Romania. Some of these scams have become rather sophisticated,
involving individuals posing as plainclothes policemen, who approach
the potential victim, flash a badge and ask for his/her passport and
wallet. In many of these cases, the thieves succeed in obtaining
the passports, credit cards, and other personal documents.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting
personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the pamphlet
"A Safe Trip Abroad" which is available from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
Currency Information: Credit cards and travelers checks are of
limited utility in Romania.
Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the
country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use,
or sale of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can
expect jail sentences and fines.
Adoptions: Before traveling to Romania, prospective parents may
wish to obtain information about both United States visa
requirements and Romanian adoption law from the U.S. Embassy
in Bucharest. Romanian adoption law mandates criminal penalties
for offering money or goods to obtain the release of children for
adoption. An information packet on Romanian adoptions is available
by writing the Office of Childrens Issues, Room 4817, Department of
State, Washington, D.C. 20520, or by telephoning (202) 647-2688.
Other Information: Customs regulations prohibit the export of some
items from Romania. At the time of departure, tourists may need all
receipts for presentation to customs authorities. Persons who
participate in or photograph demonstrations risk arrest.
Registration and Embassy Location: U.S. citizens may register in
the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy and obtain updated
information on travel and security within Romania. The U.S. Embassy
in Bucharest, Romania, is located at Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9;
telephone (40)(1) 210-40-42. After hours, a duty officer may be
reached by calling (40)(1) 210-63-84. Consular services for U.S.
citizens are performed in the Consular Section located at Strada
Filipescu No. 26 (formerly Strada Snagov), one block from the U.S.
Embassy at the corner of Strada Batistei. The telephone number of
the consulate is (40)(1) 210 40 42. An embassy branch office in
Cluj-Napoca provides emergency services to U.S. citizens only; its'
address is Universitatii 7-9, Etage 1, telephone (40)(95) 19-38-15.
No. 96-005
This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated November 4,
1994, to update the information on crime and adoptions and note an
additional Romanian consulate in Los Angeles.
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