Eastern Europe · Immigration

Moldova

23 immigration routes

Moldova sits in Eastern Europe. Its immigration system runs 23 distinct routes — led by work, family and humanitarian protection, each set out in official law. All 23 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
23across 13 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
23 of 23cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Work8 of the 23 routes — see them under Work below
Region
Eastern Europe
Capital
Chișinău
Population
2,360,527
Official language
Romanian
Currency
MDL
Time zone
UTC+02:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 23 routes, grouped by purpose — 23 of 23 cite an official government source directly.

Work

8 routes

For a foreign national whose Moldovan employment falls within the official foreigners employed in Free Economic Zones residence class.

Eligibility: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: old.igm.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

For a foreign national whose Moldovan employment falls within the official highly qualified workers residence class.

Eligibility: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: old.igm.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

For a foreign national whose Moldovan employment falls within the official IT specialists residence class.

Eligibility: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: old.igm.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

For a foreign national whose Moldovan employment falls within the official employment included in the list of priority occupations residence class.

Eligibility: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: old.igm.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

For a foreign national whose Moldovan employment falls within the official senior IT managers residence class.

Eligibility: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: old.igm.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

Investment

1 route

Study

1 route

For a foreign national admitted to accredited pre-university, university or post-university studies in Moldova.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 3Report facts: 5
Official government source: old.igm.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

Family

2 routes

Remote work and digital nomads

1 route

— No eligibility summary published for this route yet

Eligibility: 3Documents: 3Report facts: 9
Official government source: old.igm.gov.md · checked 2026-08-21 · 2 sources

Long-term residence

1 route

For a foreign national with the qualifying prior temporary-residence period, or an EU citizen or family member with five years of legal continuous residence.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: old.igm.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

Free movement

1 route

For an EU citizen intending to reside in Moldova for more than 90 calendar days under Law 200/2025.

Report facts: 6
Official government source: old.igm.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

Culture, faith and volunteering

1 route

Short stays and visits

1 route

For a visa-required third-country national visiting Moldova for tourism, a private visit, business or another recognised short-stay purpose.

Documents: 1Report facts: 8
Official government source: mfa.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

Humanitarian protection

2 routes

For any foreigner at the Moldovan border or in Moldova who expresses a wish to seek state protection.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 5
Official government source: old.igm.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

Medical treatment

1 route

For a third-country national accepted for long-term treatment, therapy or rehabilitation by a Moldovan public or private medical institution.

Report facts: 8
Official government source: mfa.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

Transit

2 routes

For a visa-required traveller passing through the international transit area of a Moldovan airport on the way to a third country.

Documents: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: mfa.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

For a visa-required traveller crossing Moldova to reach an onward destination.

Documents: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: mfa.gov.md · checked 2026-07-26

Special cases

1 route

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

See which Moldova routes you actually qualify for.

Take the free 3-minute check for your verdict, country by country — then unlock the full report.