🇲🇩 Moldova visa and immigration options

Moldova is one of 197 destinations covered by Visa Ray. We map 7 pathways across work visas, study visas, business and investor visas, family visas, permanent residence, citizenship and visitor visas. Amounts are quoted in the local currency (MDL), USD or EUR where stated. Figures are reviewed periodically (our most volatile figures were last audited on 16 October 2026), but immigration rules change often, so always confirm with the official source before you apply.

Reasons to consider Moldova

Based on the pathways we map, here is what Moldova offers different kinds of applicants:

Work visa: Non-IT-Park employment requires a job offer at or above the average Moldovan wage and an ANOFM (National Employment Agency) work permit, with a possible labour-market test (waived for shortage-list occupations).
Study visa: Foreign nationals admitted to an accredited Moldovan educational institution can apply for a study residence permit.
Business and investor visa: Foreign investors can obtain residence by contributing roughly 30 forecast average monthly salaries (about EUR 100,000) to a registered Moldovan entity, or by creating at least one full-time job paying at or above the average wage.
Family visa: Spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of a Moldovan citizen or residence-permit holder can apply for family reunification.
Permanent residence: Permanent residence is typically available after about 5 years of continuous temporary residence in Moldova, with a shorter timeline for spouses of Moldovan citizens.
Citizenship: Standard naturalization typically requires about 10 years of continuous residence, with reduced periods for spouses of Moldovan citizens and for persons of Moldovan ethnic origin.

Visa and immigration options for Moldova

Work visas

Employment-Based Residence Permit (ANOFM / IT Park)

Non-IT-Park employment requires a job offer at or above the average Moldovan wage and an ANOFM (National Employment Agency) work permit, with a possible labour-market test (waived for shortage-list occupations). Employment with an active Moldova IT Park resident company follows a separate, Park-attested route, generally faster and simpler.

Processing time: ANOFM's work-permit timeline runs before BMA can issue the residence permit, adding to total processing time; IT Park attestation is reported as comparatively faster.
Typical costs: Work-permit and residence-permit fees plus document translation/legalization costs.
Government fees: ANOFM and Bureau for Migration and Asylum (BMA) fees apply; exact current amounts not confirmed by sources reviewed — confirm with BMA.
Work and study rights: Work rights tied to the sponsoring employer; IT Park permits usually run 1-2 years and are renewable while employment continues.
Family: Not directly covered by the employment permit itself; family members generally need their own family-reunification application.

Sources reviewed: https://incorpore.md/en/blog/moldova-residence-permit-complete-guide/, https://radiomoldova.md/p/15870/citizens-from-the-27-countries-of-the-european-union-as-well-as-from-other-states-will-be-able-to-work-in-the-republic-of-moldova-without-a-work-per

Study visas

Study Residence Permit

Foreign nationals admitted to an accredited Moldovan educational institution can apply for a study residence permit. The permit does not itself authorize work, though limited work rights may apply to certain programmes.

Processing time: Not precisely stated by sources reviewed.
Typical costs: Tuition, residence-permit fee, proof-of-funds requirement, accommodation, and mandatory health insurance.
Government fees: Fees apply; exact current amounts not confirmed by sources reviewed — confirm with your institution or BMA.
Work and study rights: Study residence does not itself authorize work; limited work rights may apply to certain programmes.
Family: Dependants are not typically included under a study residence permit.