Law regulates the entry, staying and exit of foreigners on / from the Republic of Moldova, granting and prolongation of the right of stay, repatriation, documentation, state coercive measures in case of illegal staying and specific surveillance measures of immigration in accordance with international treaties to which the Republic of Moldova has acceded. In accordance with the new law, Bureau for Migration and Asylum, which is within Ministry of Internal Affairs, shall exercise a control of all the foreigners in the Republic of Moldova and records management on foreigners who were granted legal residence in the Republic of Moldova. During their stay in Moldova, foreigners are obliged to declare to the BMA, within 15 days, the changing of the border crossing document. Theft or loss of border crossing document, staying permit, identity card or passport for stateless persons must be declared to the territorial police authority within 15 calendar days. Conditions of entry of foreigners in the Republic of Moldova Entering the Republic of Moldova is allowed to foreigners who meet the following conditions: a) possess a valid state border crossing, recognized or accepted by the Republic of Moldova, if international treaties to which Moldova is party provide otherwise; b) have a visa granted or, an appropriate, residence permit, unless the international treaties to which Moldova is a party provide otherwise; c) submit documents justifying the purpose of entry and prove the existence of appropriate means both for their support during the stay, and for returning to the country of origin or transit to another State where there is certainty that they will be an allowed entry; d) provide guarantees that they will be allowed entry into the destination state or that they will leave Moldova in case of aliens in transit; e) are not included in the category of aliens against whom the measure of prohibition of entry into the Republic of Moldova or who were declared undesirable; does not present danger to national security, public order and health. Foreigners which are legally residents in the Republic of Moldova and who are temporarily leaving the territory, have the right to reenter the country without an entry-visa and can stay till the validity term of the staying permit expires. Exit from the Republic of Moldova Foreigners may leave the territory of the Republic of Moldova on the basis of the same valid document for crossing the state border that they used to enter the country. If the validity term of the document, the alien must submit a valid document for crossing the border, issued by the diplomatic mission or consular office or another foreign competent authority, as required by law. State border authority may allow foreigners to leave the country based on a document proving a different citizenship, in case of loss, theft or damage of the document which he entered the Republic of Moldova. Rights under the visa and its types The visa gives the holder the right to enter the Republic of Moldova only if, at the time of the crossing point of the state border, border control body of the state determines that there is no any reason of interdicting the entry in the Republic of Moldova Foreigners who enter the Republic of Moldova can only remain on its territory during the period specified in the visa, except when they have been granted temporary residence or permanent residence. Depending on the purposes to be granted visas can be: a) "A" - airport transit; b) "B" - transit; c) type "C" - short stay; d) "D" - long stay. Issuance of identity documents for foreign nationals The competent authority issues the following identity documents: a) temporary residence permit – to the alien who was granted or renewed, the right of temporary residence; b) a permanent residence permit – to the alien, excluding stateless persons, which has been granted permanent residence in the Republic of Moldova; c) identity card for stateless persons and, upon request, passport for stateless – to stateless person who was granted legal permanent residence in the Republic of Moldova. Request for issuing identity documents to foreigners shall be submitted to one stop shop, established within the foreign competent authority. The validity conditions of the state border crossing documents State border crossing documents must be valid at least 3 months after entry. General conditions for granting the right of temporary residence The alien may apply for temporary residence to the Bureau for Migration and Asylum under a long-stay visa for the purpose for which it was issued. The right of temporary stay may be granted:
Granting and termination of right of permanent residence Business Activity and employment of the holder of a right of residence for family reunification Or by clicking: http://lex.justice.md/index.php?action=view&view=doc&lang=1&id=336056
Identity documents shall be perfected by the competent body designated by the Government.
The validity term of the state border crossing documents where visa is to be applied must overcome the validity of the visa by at least three months.
a) Immigration to work;
b) to study;
c) family reunification;
d) for humanitarian or religious activities;
e) long-term medical treatment, and recovery treatment;
f) for other purposes, when alien’s activity does not contravene the laws of the Republic of Moldova or his staying in the Republic of Moldova is necessary in its public interest or national security.
The right of permanent residence in the Republic of Moldova may be granted to an alien under the right of temporary residence if he meets the following conditions:
a) legal temporary stay and continuous in the Republic of Moldova for at least three years - for foreigners married to a citizen of the Republic of Moldova;
b) has the legal right of temporary and continuous residence in the Republic of Moldova for at least five years - for foreigners of other categories;
c) proof that they have sufficient means of maintenance, except for foreigners married to citizens of the Republic of Moldova;
d) have living space;
e) speaks satisfactory the official state language;
f) still satisfy the requirements for entry into the Republic of Moldova;
g) during the stay in Moldova, has not intervened any of the reasons for interdicting the entry in the Republic of Moldova;
h) had no criminal history for the past three years.
The beneficiary of a right of residence for family reunification can be hired or engaging in entrepreneurial activities or be self-employed.
For details find the law on www.justice.md