Everything You Need To Know About A Moldova Visa

Visas are not required by British passport holders to enter Moldova, provided the stay period does not exceed 90 days in any 6-month period.

For UK citizens to be granted a visa-free entry, they must possess a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of arrival in Moldova, proof of sufficient funds, and evidence of return or onward travel.

Note: Under any condition, you are not allowed to exceed the granted stay period under the visa-exemption regime. Once you land in the country, your arrival date will be automatically registered by the authorities.

Now, if your planned stay period is over 90 days, you should apply for a residence and/or work permit. Immigration, residence, and work permits come with the clause of annual extensions and can be issued for up to 5 years. Again, for long-term visits, you should regularise your stay by lodging an application for a residence or work visa.

Visa regulations for foreigners residing in the UK

If you reside in the UK but do not own a valid British passport, you might need to apply for a visa in advance through theEmbassy in London before your planned travel dates. Please checkthis list to know if you fall under any of the categories of foreign travelers who are granted visa-free entry into Moldova

Next, if you require a visa to enter Moldova, below are the types of visas issued by Moldovan consular authorities.

• Transit visa
• Short-term visa
• Long-term visa

Type A transit visa

A type A transit visa is required by travelers if they intend to transit via Moldova to another country — without entering the territory of the nation. It is also necessary when travelers need to be transferred between two sections of an international flight.

Citizens of all countries who need a visa to enter Moldova must apply for a type A visa before the planned transit dates through the Republic of Moldova

Type B transit visa

A type B transit visa allows foreigners transiting through the Republic of Moldova to venture into the national territory after leaving the international airport. This multiple entry visa offers a maximum stay of up to 5 days per visit and is issued for a validity that can be no longer than one year.

Type C short-term visa

A short-term visa grants entry into Moldova and allows travelers to stay in the nation for a maximum period of 90 days within any 180 days span. You can get a type C visa in the following types:

• Official delegations visa, which is issued to representatives of governments, public administrations or international organizations
• Tourist visa, which can be obtained by travelers visiting Moldova for vacation or leisure
• Visit visa that grants entry to foreigners seeking to meet friends or family in Moldova or intending to apply for a permanent residence card
• Business visa, which allows visitors to conduct business activities in Moldova, such as carrying our economic and trade transactions, executing agreements or negotiations, or inspecting goods that are purchased or sold through trade agreements
• Sports visa, that can be issued to foreigners entering the Republic of Moldova to participate in sports events

Type D long-term visa

A long-term visa is granted for a stay of 90 days per visit in any 6-month period. It is valid for a maximum span of 12 months and is issued in multiple entries. A D category visa is required when you wish to submit an application for a permanent residence permit.

It can be issued for purposes related to entrepreneurship, work, study, family reunion, cultural and religious purposes, diplomatic and official activities as well as medical treatment.

Documents required to apply for a Moldovan visa

In order to apply for any of the visa types mentioned above, you need to mandatorily submit the following documents:

• A passport or a travel document that holds a validity of at least six months after the date of the expiry of the requested visa
• One recent, colored photograph in dimensions of 35mm x 45mm
• A completely filled and signedvisa application form
• A letter of invitation in original, issued by the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

Traveling to Moldova through Transnistria

When your travel itinerary specifies that you will be entering Transnistria via land from Ukraine, you should know that guards at the Transnistrian border do not put entry stamps on passports.

Once you reach this point, you shall get a registration document. You need to keep this document and show it at the time of departure to the border authorities.

When you cross the border via road, you will come across six checkpoints and you can request for a registration document at any of these points. But if you cross the border through train, you won’t be able to access immigration controls and hence, your passport won’t receive any stamp. In such as scenario, you need to arrive at the Bureau for Migration and Asylum in Chisinau within 3 days of arrival and register your visit.

Alternative measures include visiting the local offices of the Bureau for Migration and Asylum located in Hîrbova? in Anenii Noi, Hajumus in Cau?eni, Pîrîta in Dubasari, Criuleni in Criuleni, Rezina in Rezina and Saratauac în Flore?ti — in order to complete the registration process.

While registering your stay, you would need to present your passport and evidence of travel such as a Green Card or tickets. If you fail to register your stay, you can face huge challenges when attempting to depart from Moldova.

Entering Moldova through Ukraine

If you are planning to enter Moldova via land through Ukraine, you should travel through one of the internationally recognised border crossing points, located between Moldova and Ukraine.

Travel to Transnistria

Note that there are no immigration control points in the border separating Transnistria and Moldova. So, you won’t get any entry stamps on your passports. Upon arriving in Transnistria, you will have to fill in 2 copies of a migration card. You need to keep one copy and present it while exiting the nation. Immigration authorities may request you to present proof of the purpose of visit, duration of stay, and accommodation arrangements.