Visa Requirements for Moldovan Citizens

The visa requirements for citizens of Moldova are the list of rules established by each country around the world that determine whether Moldovans must hold a visa in order to enter.

The Henley Passport Index ranks the Moldovan passport as the 47th most powerful in the world in 2021, granting holders access to around 120 destinations without having to apply for a visa in person at an embassy in advance.

Each sovereign state or territory has its own visa policy that decides which visa or travel authorization is required by Moldovan nationals in any given situation.

Visa requirements for Moldovan nationals vary depending on the purpose of traveling and the length of time the individual plans to stay in the destination country or territory.

Certain countries have an electronic visa (eVisa) system in place, which allows citizens of Moldova to obtain their visa online.

Similarly, certain destinations have an electronic travel authorization (eTA) platform for Moldovans to obtain a visa waiver via an online form. This avoids having to apply for a visa at all.

Both eVisas and eTAs for Moldovans are considered the easiest way to gain permission to visit a destination, as the simple applications can be completed from any location with an internet connection.

A small number of destinations offer a visa on arrival option for Moldovan citizens, which involves standing in line at the border to fill out the application.

The visa requirements of certain countries for Moldovan citizens dictate that they must go in person to an overseas diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) with the relevant supporting documents and submit an application there.

Additionally, Moldovans can only obtain a long-term visa, work visa, or residence visa for most destinations from an embassy.

Finally, Moldovan passport holders enjoy visa exemption for certain destinations, meaning that they do not require any sort of entry permit or travel authorization.

Continue reading for a comprehensive guide to the visa requirements for Moldovan citizens and find out which authorizations are required for different countries.

List of Visa Countries for Moldovan Passport Holders

Moldovan passport holders must apply for and obtain some type of visa or travel authorization to visit over 170 different countries worldwide in 2021.

The type of entry permit required by travelers from Moldova depends on the destination, the length of their visit, and the purpose of the trip.

It may be necessary to apply for a tourist visa, business visa, transit visa, long-stay visa, work visa, or residence visa, depending on the Moldovan citizen’s plans.

The terms of visas for Moldovan nationals also vary depending on the destination. For example, some countries and territories offer single-entry visas and travel authorizations, while others allow multiple entries, and some states have the option of either.

A number of destinations have either an eVisa or eTA for Moldovan passport holders, which typically allow short-term stays for the purpose of tourism. In some cases, they also permit transit and/or business trips.

Similarly, visas on arrival for nationals of Moldova are typically only valid for short visits for tourism and leisure.

The majority of countries require Moldovans to apply at an embassy or consulate to obtain a long-term visa and work and residence permits.

Moldovans must also obtain short-term visas such as a tourist visa or business visa from an embassy to visit certain destinations.

Browse the map below to find out which countries Moldovan nationals require a visa to visit.

Electronic Travel Visa Authorization for Moldovan Nationals

Travelers from Moldova are able to obtain an entry permit online for various destinations. Depending on the country, this may be an electronic visa (eVisa) or electronic travel authorization (eTA).

Around 30 different countries and territories have an eTA or eVisa for Moldovans.

The 2 types of systems are similar. Both eVisas and eTAs for Moldovans are obtained online by filling out a simple application form and the entire process is much quicker and more convenient than going to an embassy, as with traditional visas.

An eVisa for citizens of Moldova is, as its name suggests, a visa that is obtained electronically.

An eTA for Moldovan nationals is a visa waiver that allows the holder to enter a country without a visa. The application process is similar to that of an eVisa, but tends to be even more streamlined.

Both eVisas and eTAs for Moldovan passport holders generally permit short-term stays. The maximum length of time a visitor from Moldova can spend in a country with an eVisa or eTA varies between 30 days and 3 months, depending on the destination.

Some eTAs and eVisas grant nationals of Moldova a single entry, while others are valid for multiple entries.

Electronic visas and travel authorizations for Moldovans are generally only valid for visits for certain purposes.

Tourism and leisure are permitted for all destinations with an eVisa or eTA, while in some cases, other reasons for travel, such as business, transit, and medical treatment may be possible.

See below a list of countries that have either an eVisa or eTA platform for Moldovan citizens.

Visa On Arrival for Citizens of Moldova

A visa on arrival for Moldovan citizens is a type of visa that can be obtained at immigration control when entering a country or territory.

Moldovans can apply for a visa on arrival for around 25 different destinations.

Visas on arrival for nationals of Moldova are typically only valid for a single entry for a short stay, although in some cases a multiple-entry option may be possible.

The maximum length of time a Moldovan passport holder is permitted to remain in a foreign country with a visa on arrival varies from 7 days to 3 months, depending on the state or territory in question.

A visa on arrival is limited to visits for certain purposes. For most destinations, Moldovans will only be able to perform tourist and leisure activities while staying in the country.

Citizens of Moldova will only be able to apply for a visa on arrival at certain entry points to the countries that have this option, so it is important to travel to one of these ports of entry if planning to get a visa this way.

There are some drawbacks to a visa on arrival. Firstly, applying at the border means spending time standing in line and filling out forms at immigration control before joining the normal passport queue.

Secondly, in the unlikely event of a problem, such as the Moldovan national forgetting to bring an important supporting document, the visa may be denied and the traveler will be forced to return home.

For these reasons, it is highly advisable for Moldovan citizens to apply for an eVisa in advance where possible, since this is much quicker and easier, and allows ample time to resolve any potential issues.

Consult the list below for countries and territories that have a visa on arrival service for Moldovans.

Angola
Bangladesh
Bolivia
Comoros
Guinea-Bissau
Lebanon
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mozambique
Nicaragua
Palau
Samoa
Somalia
Timor-Leste
Tuvalu
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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Embassy Visa Required for Moldovan Citizens

An embassy or consular visa for nationals of Moldova is any type of visa or permit issued by an overseas diplomatic mission (i.e. an embassy or consulate) belonging to the destination country.

It is a requirement for Moldovan citizens to apply at an embassy to obtain any type of visa (including short-term tourist visas) for over 120 different countries.

The terms of short-stay visas granted by embassies to Moldovan travelers vary.

Some countries may offer multiple-entry visas, while others only allow a single entry.

In order to live, work, or stay long-term in the majority of foreign countries, citizens of Moldova are required to apply for the relevant visas/permits at an embassy.

These may include a long-stay visa, a work visa or permit, and/or a residence visa or permit.

Applying for an embassy or consular visa for Moldovans means going to the diplomatic mission in person, bringing the required supporting documents, and submitting the application. It may be necessary to call in advance and arrange an interview.

Embassies are generally located in capital cities, while some countries also have consulates in certain other major cities.

If applying at a diplomatic mission, Moldovan nationals are advised to apply well in advance of the trip, since embassy visas can take much longer to process than online visas.

Find below a list of destinations that require Moldovans to apply for a visa at an embassy or consulate.

Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Algeria
American Samoa
Antarctica
Argentina
Australia
Bahrain
Belize
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bonaire
Botswana
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Canada
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cuba
Curacao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gambia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guyana
Honduras
Hong Kong
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kiribati
Liberia
Libya
Mali
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mayotte
Montserrat
Morocco
Myanmar
Nauru
New Caledonia
Niger
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Puerto Rico
Reunion
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Sint Maarten
Solomon Islands
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Korea
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Swaziland
Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan
Thailand
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
United Kingdom
United States
United States Virgin Islands
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Wallis and Futuna
Yemen

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Visa Not Required for Moldovan Citizens

Moldovan nationals do not require a visa to visit certain destinations for short-term stays.

In 2021, citizens of Moldova enjoy visa exemption for around 70 different countries and territories.

A Moldovan visitor can stay in a country without a visa for a maximum of between 14 and 365 days, depending on the policy of the country or territory.

During a visa-free stay, Moldovans are generally only permitted to engage in certain activities (usually tourism, leisure, and in some cases business). Employed work is usually prohibited without a visa.

If a traveler from Moldova wishes to stay in a destination for longer than the maximum time permitted visa-free, they will have to apply for a visa.

Likewise, if a Moldovan national plans to undertake employed work, obtain residency in the country, or perform any other activity that is not permitted under the conditions of that destination’s visa exemption policy, they must obtain the relevant visa to do so.

See below a list of countries that Moldovans may visit without a visa.