Moldova Visa Guide 2026: Who needs it and how to apply

(MOLDOVA) Moldova’s 2026 visa rules are built around a fast online e-visa system, and most short-stay visitors can get approval in days when they apply through the official portal. Travelers who are visa-free still need to meet entry checks, and visa-required nationals need to file early to avoid being refused at the border.

Why the e-visa rollout matters in 2026

Moldova processes over 500,000 short-stay visas each year, and officials have pushed digital filing to cut embassy visits. More than 70% of visas are now issued electronically, with complete applications seeing approval rates above 95%.

Tourism is rising at the same time. The government reported a 15% tourism increase in 2025, and a separate 2025 figure cited 2.5 million visitors, up 18%, drawn by wine routes, Soviet-era history, and easier regional travel.

Start by checking if you’re visa-free

Citizens from over 100 countries, including the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, EU states, Australia, and Japan, enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This 90/180 rule applies across tourism, short business visits, and private trips.

Even visa-free travelers should plan for document checks at arrival. Your passport must be issued within the last 10 years and remain valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure. Carry proof of accommodation, onward travel, and funds; for stays under 10 days, officials expect at least €300.

Overstaying carries penalties. The guidance cites fines up to €1,500 for short-trip overstays, and separate enforcement ranges as high as €5,000 plus possible entry bans of up to five years.

Important: Visa-free entry does not eliminate checks. Carry the same supporting documents a visa applicant would: passport, accommodation, onward ticket, proof of funds, and appropriate insurance.

Who needs a visa and which types exist

Nationals who typically need a visa include travelers from Afghanistan, Algeria, China (unless holding a valid Schengen visa), India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, and others listed by Moldovan authorities. For these travelers, the e-visa reduces paperwork and removes the need for an embassy appointment.

Moldova’s visa categories:
– Type A — Airport transit
– Type B — Transit
– Type C — Short-stay (up to 90 days) for tourist, business, or private visits
– Type D — Long-stay for work, study, or family reunion

E-visas cover most Type C travel.

Fees and processing timelines

Fees and timelines vary by visa type. Summary:

Moldova added a D/IT route in mid-2025 to attract technology hires, after reporting 20,000+ jobs created since 2024 in the sector and 5,000+ D/IT visas issued in 2025.

The e-visa journey on evisa.gov.md

Most applicants start and finish online at Moldova’s official e-visa portal, which issues a PDF authorization you print and carry. The portal was updated in 2025 with a real-time verification code and nationality prompts that flag missing fields early.

Processing windows:
– Fastest advertised: 3 days
– Common range: 3–10 days
– Standard processing: 10 business days
– Outer limit: up to 20 days

Many refusals stem from simple errors — wrong passport page uploaded or passport number typed differently than on the data page — mistakes linked to about 10% of rejections.

A five-step filing plan for short stays

1. Pick the right category and entry pattern. Choose Type C (tourist, business, or private) and decide single or multiple entry before payment.
2. Collect core documents and scan clearly. Passport (issued within 10 years), a 35x45mm color photo, and travel medical insurance with €30,000 coverage for emergencies and repatriation.
3. Show your trip plan and money. Upload hotel bookings or host commitment, include an onward ticket, and prove funds at €100 per day with a minimum of €300 for stays under 10 days.
4. Complete the online form and pay the fee. Enter every name and date exactly as in your passport, then pay by card; many Type C e-visas list a €60 fee.
5. Track the decision and prepare for inspection on arrival. Expect an emailed PDF in the 3–10 day window, print it, and carry the same insurance and funding proof for the border officer.

What authorities check at arrival

At Chișinău Airport and land crossings, officers will typically check:
– Passport (validity and issuance date)
– Visa or e-visa printout (PDF)
– Supporting documents that prove your purpose of travel (hotel bookings, invitation, business letters)
– Proof of funds and onward travel

For non-visa-free entrants, biometrics are scanned. COVID-era entry rules have been lifted; no tests or vaccination proofs are required.

If your stay will exceed 90 days, you must shift from travel to residence planning. Long-stay applications often require:
– A criminal record certificate that is apostilled and translated (minors under 16 are exempt)
– Marriage or birth certificates for family reunion cases
– Parents’ passports and a child’s birth certificate plus parental consent for minors

Prior visa refusals can affect new applications — a cited rule requires no rejection record in the last six months for some cases.

Managing timing, peak-season delays, and refusals

Apply 4–6 weeks before travel even when the portal advertises faster decisions. Summer demand is linked to about 20% delays, and last-minute applicants often face rebooking or cancellations.

Common application problems:
– Mismatched personal details (names/dates not exactly as on passport)
– Weak or missing proof of funds
– Insurance below the €30,000 coverage minimum
– Incomplete online applications (rejected quickly under the 2025 portal rules)

Invitations can be tricky:
– Some nationalities require an invitation
– Invitations may be free-form from a host or issued through the General Inspectorate for Migration
– Secure any required invitation before submitting the e-visa form

Long-stay tracks: work, study, family reunion, and the D/IT route

Type D cases demand tighter paperwork and longer processing.

Typical requirements:
– Work: employment contract and migration approval
– Study: university acceptance letter and proof of funds or scholarship
– Family reunion: marriage or birth certificates proving the relationship

The D/IT option targets tech workers joining Moldovan employers. The 2025 rollout noted two-year extensions possible after initial issuance. Plan for the 20-day processing window and be ready to provide follow-up documents.

Practical tips for immigration travelers and families

Many travelers visit Moldova for civil documents, family events, or to support relatives with residence filings. They often carry originals that are difficult to replace.

Recommendations:
– Use the e-visa PDF as your travel anchor and carry paper copies of invitations, insurance, and proof of funds in hand luggage.
– If plans change, respect the 90/180 limit; overstays can block future travel and complicate long-stay applications.
– Border issues typically arise from missing insurance, missing funds proof, or confusion over day counts (analysis by VisaVerge.com).

A realistic last check before you fly

Before boarding:
– Confirm passport validity and issuance date
– Print the e-visa PDF and keep copies
– Ensure your insurance dates match your trip and meet €30,000 coverage
– Have accommodation, onward ticket, and proof of funds ready

Moldova officers usually make quick decisions when papers are complete.