by Lonely Planet author Leif Pettersen

Moldova visa regulations

From 1 January 2007 citizens of EU member states , USA , Canada, Switzerland and Japan will no longer need visas! Furthermore, the citizens of the following states do not need visas for visits up to 90 days: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. For more information see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova web site.

I'm afraid that everyone else is still on the hook for visas. Additionally, Australians , New Zealanders and South Africans all require an invitation from a company, organization or individual.

Here's the visa application (pdf format) you shoud use.

Advance visa application payments through consulates are usually in the form of a bank deposit at a specified bank.

Visas can be easily acquired on arrival at Chisinau airport (single/double entry $60/75) or, if arriving by bus or car from Romania, at three border points: Sculeni (north of Iasi); Leuseni (main Bucharest-Chisinau border); and Cahul. Visas are not issued at any other border crossings, nor when entering by train . Citizens of countries requiring an invitation must present the original document (copies/faxes not accepted) at the border if buying a visa there.

In 2002 Moldova started instituting a visa-free regime for all foreigners wishing to partake in its Wine Festival (second Sunday in October). These visa-free visits cannot exceed 10 days.

An HIV/AIDS test is required for foreigners intending to stay in Moldova longer than three months. Furthermore, certificates proving HIV-negative status have to be in Russian and English.

The price of a single-/double-entry tourist visa valid for one month is US$60/75. Single-/double-entry transit visas valid for 72 hours are $30/60. Special rates apply for tourist groups of more than 10 persons, and for children, the handicapped and the elderly.

Get up early and visas can be whipped together the same day at the Moldovan consulate in Romania (tel. 40-21-410-9827; B-dul Eroilor 8, Bucharest). Applications must be made between 8.30am and 12.30pm Monday to Friday. After paying for the visa at a specified bank in the city centre, you then collect your visa between 3pm and 4pm that same day!

Welcome to Moldova! has a myriad of information, including visa regulations, but this site hasn't been updated in forever. Perhaps the seminal event of Moldova dropping much of their visa regime will spur them to do an overhaul.

Agonizing over travel insurance? Maybe I can help...

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