Ways to live in Moldova
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Work permit Work permits →
Provisional residence for work
Residence permit for foreigners with a job in Moldova. Separate tracks exist for highly qualified workers, IT specialists, priority occupations and employees in free economic zones.
- What you need
- Employment contract stating the monthly salary, criminal record certificate (apostilled and translated into Romanian), proof of housing (ownership or registered rental contract) and a photo. Usually you enter on a long-stay visa issued for work.
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- 3,690 MDL (90 MDL service fee + 3,600 MDL state fee); extension 1,890 MDL
- Processing time
- up to 90 days; faster paid options exist
- How to apply
- In person at a one-stop shop of the General Inspectorate for Migration (Chișinău, Bălți, Comrat or Cahul)
Student visa Student visas →
Provisional residence for studies
Residence permit for foreigners enrolled at a Moldovan educational institution. The school or university files the request together with the student.
- What you need
- Request from the institution, proof of enrolment and a study contract, approval from the Ministry of Education (not needed for citizens of Lisbon Convention countries), housing or a dormitory place, health insurance for at least 3 months, criminal record certificate and proof of means of subsistence (scholarship holders are exempt).
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- 270 MDL (90 MDL service fee + 180 MDL state fee) for the standard 30-day processing
- How to apply
- In person at a one-stop shop of the General Inspectorate for Migration
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
Provisional residence for foreign investors
Residence permit for founders and shareholders of Moldovan companies with foreign investment, and for foreigners in management positions there.
- What you need
- Extract from the state register of legal entities or the shareholder register, confirmation of the investment by an accredited auditor or proof of tax and social contributions showing created jobs, proof of housing and a criminal record certificate.
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- 270 MDL (90 MDL service fee + 180 MDL state fee) for the standard 30-day processing
- How to apply
- In person at a one-stop shop of the General Inspectorate for Migration; company shareholders can apply without a long-stay visa
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $250 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $380 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $680 |
| Bills | $110 |
| Typical local salary | $830 |
Cities to consider
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Moldova is all about wine country, home cooking and close-knit communities. Chișinău is leafy with parks and a growing cafe culture, and weekends mean cellar visits, monasteries on cliffs and countryside guesthouses.
Day to day
Minibuses run between towns and the country is small. Private clinics in Chișinău are reasonable. Card payments are common in the capital, and internet is fast and cheap. Romanian and Russian are both widely spoken.
Trade-offs
Infrastructure outside the capital is dated and roads are rough. Salaries and job options are limited. The Transnistria region has its own separate administration and is best treated with caution.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
Switzerland90 days
Norway90 days
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South AfricaVisa
Mexico90 days
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Moldova have a digital nomad visa?
Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.
How can I move to Moldova?
The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Investment and golden visa.
Sources and last check
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
