Guide on how to apply for a Moldova Temporary Residence Permit

You can apply for a Moldova temporary residence permit if you are employed in Moldova under a contract for at least 12 months or if you run your own business with an investment of at least € 50’000.

Additionally, you must have health insurance coverage and prove that you have enough money to maintain yourself during your stay in Moldova (€ 1’000 per month).

As of January 1st, 2020, Moldova introduced a new guide on how to apply for Moldova Temporary Residence Permits which are valid until December 31st, 2024.

The change is mainly regarding how you can get long-stay visas in Moldova. Before 2020, you had to prove that you have a resident or accommodation offer in Moldova. Now you only need a written employment contract with your employer. Keep reading to learn about Moldova’s temporary residence permit and how to apply.

Where is Moldova?

Moldova is a landlocked country in South-Eastern Europe, bordered by Romania to the north, the Republic of Macedonia to the east, Greece to the south, and Bulgaria to the west.

The capital city of Chisinau is picturesque and has a population of around 1.1 million. As of July 2019, the population of Moldova is estimated to be 3.42 million.

Moldova adopted the euro currency along with 132 other countries as a European Union member state.

Procedure to Apply for a Moldovan Temporary Residence Permit

The Moldovan authorities are speedy in processing residence permits, and individual has had many positive experiences in applying for a residence permit. You do not need to travel to Chisinau as an applicant to successfully complete the interview at the public administration office; the interview will be conducted over the phone.

Upon approval of your residence permit application, you can travel visa-free to any country of the European Union, the Schengen area, Moldova’s neighboring countries, Liechtenstein, Vatican City, Monaco, and San Marino.

Moldova is one of the most well-liked vacation spots in Europe. Its inhabitants are lovely, and its cost of living is reasonable. The hospitality of Moldovans is one of their greatest strengths.

It’s a great place to do remote work as well. Forget the notion that you must be at an office to work when you have fast and reliable internet, a pleasant climate, affordable lodging, and excellent coffee culture.

Eligibility to apply for a Moldova Temporary Residence Permit

Here are some of the guides on how to apply for a Moldova Temporary Residence Permit.

Foreign nationals and stateless individuals who seek to work in the Republic of Moldova are issued work permits by the National Agency for Employment of the Ministry of Economy.

The National Agency for Employment must receive the following documentation from the employer or its legal representative to award permission to work:

• The company’s or organization’s deposition before the National Agency for Employment, 
• The immigrant worker’s questionnaire submission;
• A copy of the National Agency for Employment’s favorable opinion;
• Copies of the organization’s founding document (the company’s certificate of incorporation, a recent extract from the State Register of Enterprises or the State Register of Non-Governmental Organizations, or, if applicable, work authorization or license);
• Papers attesting to the company’s operations (such as a Tax Inspectorate certificate stating that there are no outstanding debts to the national public budget or a copy of the financial report for the most recent period of management under the law in effect);
• The original of each employment contract;
• A copy of the foreign national’s national identification card or the stateless person’s identification card that includes information about crossing state lines;
• A translated, legalized, or apostilled copy of the study document or other document attesting to the expertise of the specialist invited to operate in Moldova;
• The standard medical certificate and the original medical certificate attesting to the lack of HIV/AIDS;
• The paperwork (the owner’s declaration, the rental agreement, or the sale-purchase contract) attesting to the availability of renting space for the required period;
• A 50 x 60-millimeter color image with a white background;
• The criminal history report from the country of origin is translated and legalized or apostilled into Moldovan.

The following documents must be submitted to the National Agency for Employment by the employer or its legal representative to renew the permission to work:

• The company’s, organization’s, or institution’s submission of a request to the National Agency for Employment to extend the right to work;
• A copy of the work-related temporary resident permit;
• Copies of the organization’s founding document (the company’s certificate of incorporation, a recent extract from the State Register of Enterprises or the State Register of Non-Governmental Organizations, or, if applicable, work authorization or license);
• Papers attesting to the company’s operations (such as a Tax Inspectorate certificate stating that there are no outstanding debts to the national public budget or a copy of the financial report for the most recent period of management under the law in effect);
• The original of each employment contract;
• A copy of the foreign national’s national identification card or the stateless person’s identification card that includes information about crossing state lines;
• A translated, legalized, or apostilled copy of the study document or other document attesting to the expertise of the specialist invited to operate in Moldova;
• The standard medical certificate and the original medical certificate attesting to the lack of HIV/AIDS;
• The document (the owner’s declaration, the rental agreement, or the sale-purchase contract) attests to the availability of renting space for the required time.

Visit the National Agency for Employment’s website for further information: www.anofm.gov.md.

The right to stay beyond 90 days

Foreign nationals who intend to stay in Moldova for longer than 90 days must get permission from the Ministry of Internal Affairs Bureau for Migration and Asylum.

For this, the foreign national or stateless person must present the following paperwork to the Ministry of Internal Affairs Bureau for Migration and Asylum (124 Boulevard Stefan cel Mare, Chisinau):

• The original medical certificate detailing one’s health status and HIV/AIDS test results;
• The duplicate passport and the passport annexe with the valid visa;
• A copy of the spouse’s identification card;
• A duplicate of the marriage or divorce decree,
• The National Agency for Employment’s argued stance (for those who come to work),
• A duplicate of the job contract for guests seeking employment;
• The granting party’s documented, notarized consent,
• For a copy of the research report,
• Three 5×6 mm pictures
• The receipt serves as proof that the state charge was paid.

The foreign national or stateless individual must complete the necessary paperwork for their residence permit at the Ministry of Information Development after receiving their immigration certificate.

The following documents are used to issue the residence permit:

Permission to reside for reasons of the family:

• The original national passport
• The original immigration certificates
• A duplicate of the marriage license,
• A copy of the birth certificate for children under the age of 18,
• A copy of the spouse’s ID;
• A copy of the medical test for HIV/AIDS;
• A copy of the rental agreement with the notary’s seal;
• The blood group certification in the medical record.

Employment-related Residency Authorization:

• The medical record detailing one’s health and the findings of an HIV/AIDS antibody test (the original),
• A visa with a valid term, a copy of the passport and its annex, and a stamp of recording to the DVP of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
• A duplicate of the marriage and divorce decrees,
• A copy of the spouse’s ID;
• The Employment Office’s contested opinion,
• A replica of the employment agreement,
• The person providing the housing must consent in writing and have it notarized.
• A copy of the research paper, specialty,
• 3 5×6 photographs
• The receipt serves as proof that the state charge was paid.

You can also read more on how to apply for Moldova Work Visa here

Tips and Advice On How to obtain the Moldovan Temporary Resident Permits

These are quick guides on how to apply for a Moldova Temporary Residence Permit and get approval. If you are employed from abroad by a Moldovan company or individual, you must request an invitation letter from them, which should be written in Romanian. The owner of the company or individual must be physically present in Moldova to apply, as the applicant will not be able to register online.

It is prevalent for Moldova to issue temporary residence permits for the entire country’s territorial validity, even though you may have only applied for a Chisinau residence permit. If you decide to travel outside Chisinau, you will have to carry your passport at all times because you will be required to show proof that you are either living in Chisinau or that you are authorized to travel outside the city. Residents of the country’s territorial permit must change their passports within one year. Moldova requires that residents always carry an ID card and their passport.

It is highly recommended that your profession is clearly stated on your residence permit application, as this grants you multiple visa-exempt entrance privileges to numerous countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Italy, which can save you a lot of time when traveling. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How to make money in Moldova without a Work Permit?

There are a few ways to make money in Moldova without a work permit. One way is to find work as a nanny or caregiver. Another way is to find work as a translator. Finally, you could also start your own business.

What happens if you work in Moldova without a work permit?

If you work in Moldova without a work permit, you could be fined, deported, or imprisoned.

Can I apply for a work permit in Moldova without a job offer?

Yes, you can apply for a work permit in Moldova without a job offer. However, you will need to provide documentation that proves you are eligible to work in the country.

Can a US citizen work in Moldova without a work permit?

Yes, a US citizen can work in Moldova without a work permit. However, you may need to obtain a visa if you are not a Moldovan citizen.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are looking to move to Moldova and would like to stay there for an extended period of time, a Temporary Residence Permit is the way to go. By following the guide above, you should have no trouble applying for and receiving your permit.