Genvisec advises that all business and leisure travel should be allowed to 

Moldova.

 

Crime

 

Be alert to the risk of street crime and petty theft, particularly in Chisinau, and for pickpockets and bag snatchers in crowded areas. Take precautions when using ATMs, there have been instances of credit card and ATM fraud.

 

Keep your valuables and passport in hotel safes and carry a copy of your passport with you. It is useful to carry a small torch after dark, as street lighting is poor.

 

Be alert to the risk of street crime and petty theft, particularly in Chisinau, and for pickpockets and bag snatchers in crowded areas. Try not to draw attention to yourself. Credit card and ATM fraud is on the increase. Avoid using credit/debit cards whenever possible and take precautions when using ATMs. Keep your valuables and passport in hotel safes and carry a copy of your passport with you. It is useful to carry a small torch after dark, as street lighting is poor.

 

Transnistria

 

The Transnistria region is not under Moldovan government control and seeks independence.

 

You should exercise caution if you travel to Transnistria and avoid getting into difficulty with the Transnistrian authorities. If you do get into trouble, try to contact your Embassy in Chisinau at an early stage. Your Embassy will do its best to provide Consular help where needed, but in practice this will be very limited.

 

See the Entry requirements (below) section for further details on entry in to Transnistria.

 

Road travel

 

To drive a vehicle into Moldova you will need the following documents:

 

car registration

valid insurance (Green Card)

UK driving licence

passport

if you are not the owner, written permission from the owner to drive the vehicle. This should be translated into Romanian and legalised.

The vehicle will need to be declared to the customs authority at the point of entry into Moldova. Vehicles can be brought into Moldova without payment of import taxes for a maximum of 90 cumulative days in a 365-day period, from the date of first entry. Contact the Moldovan Embassy in your home country if you have more detailed questions about bringing a vehicle in to the country. n.

 

Avoid driving outside urban areas, particularly at night. Driving standards are poor and roads are of variable quality. There are a high number of traffic accidents, including fatalities. You should comply with all local speed limits. There is a zero tolerance policy on drink driving.

 

From 1 November until 31 March, drivers are obliged to travel with headlights on at all times. Failure to do so could result in a fine.

 

Official looking taxis can be unlicensed. Do not share a taxi with strangers or flag down unofficial taxis. You should negotiate a price before getting into a taxi. Where possible ask your hotel to get a taxi for you, or to give you the telephone number of a reputable company.

 

The Department of Traffic Police has published the following helpline:

 

42, Vasile Alecsandri street, Chisinau, Moldova Telephone: 00 373 (22) 255-920 Fax: 00 373 (22) 255-200 email: pol.rutiera@mai.gov.md email: info@pr.gov.md (Moldovan officials speak only Romanian and Russian)

 

Political situation

 

The political situation is calm, but you should avoid any political rallies, demonstrations or large gatherings such as the one planned for Sunday 7 June in central Chisinau..

 

 

Health

 

The standard of medical care in Moldova is below Western European Standards and English is not widely spoken. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

Drink only bottled water.

 

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 12,000 adults aged 15 or over in Moldova were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.4% of the adult population compared to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 903 and ask for an ambulance, but be aware that if you do not speak Russian or Romanian you may encounter difficulties. You should inform your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

Local laws and customs

 

There is a zero tolerance policy for possessing or supplying any drugs. While legislation stipulates that fines are possible for drug use/supply, in practice possession of even small quantities of drugs (Class B/C drugs as well as Class A) could result in long prison terms in addition to heavy fines.

 

Homosexuality is not forbidden in Moldova, though the Moldovan government does not formally recognise unmarried or same-sex partners. There is an active social and lobbying group on gay and lesbian issues in Chisinau, but public attitudes are less tolerant.

 

Avoid taking photos of military and government facilities (including airports, power stations etc). There are frequent police checks. Take extra care in Transnistria, where the local authorities can be uncomfortable with visitors taking photos anywhere at all.

 

You should carry with you at least a copy of your (passport) at all times.

 

You must obtain permission from the Moldovan Department of Monuments to bring out of the country any artwork or antiques. Failure to obtain this permission could result in the artwork or antiques being impounded and criminal charges brought.

 

Entry Requirements

 

Visas are no longer required to enter Moldova if your stay is under 90 days. For all other types of travel, contact the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in your home country.

 

The Moldovan authorities strictly enforce penalties (including deportation) against foreign visitors who overstay the terms of their visas. As a visitor you are allowed to spend no more than 90 days in any six months period in Moldova. At any official point of entry, your arrival date will be registered automatically. Please see below for details of entry through Transnistria. Residence and/or work permits are required for stays over 90 days. Immigration, residence, and work permits usually need to be extended annually, but can be issued for up to five years. Alternatively, you must regularise your stay by applying for a residence or work visa.

 

Entry into Moldova via Transnistria

 

If you are entering into Transnistria overland from Ukraine (e.g. by bus or rail) be aware that the Transnistrian border guard will not place entry stamps into passports. There are no ‘immigration controls’ in place on the internal boundary between Transnistria and Moldova proper and entry stamps will not be placed into passports there. If you enter Moldova via Transnistria you are likely to encounter problems when leaving Moldova by air from Chisinau or overland into Romania as your passport will show no valid entry stamp into Moldova and you may be deemed to have illegally entered the country. If you enter Moldova via Transnistria, register with the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communication, located in Chisinau at 42 A. Pushkin Street, or the local passport office within 3 days of arrival. The British Embassy can provide you with the address of the relevant passport office for your area. To register your stay you must present the following documents:

 

Your passport

proof of travel (e.g. Green Card-if you drive a vehicle into Moldova; airfare, bus/train ticket)

Failure to register may result in fines and difficulties when leaving Moldova.

 

Entry into Moldova via Ukraine

 

If you enter Moldova overland from Ukraine do so at one of the internationally recognised border crossing points between Moldova (excluding the Transnistria segment) and Ukraine in the north and south of the country.

 

Entry into Transnistria

 

The authorities in Transnistria have announced that they intend to implement an entry permit and vehicle insurance requirement for foreign nationals. The implementation date for entry permits is not yet known. The vehicle insurance requirement is expected to come in to effect on 1 January 2016 for EU registered vehicles (and those of all other countries except for the rest of Moldova and Romania for which earlier implementation dates are expected to apply) and will apply to travellers intending to visit or transit the region.

 

The scheme is expected to be similar to the European Green Card system, but details have not yet been published.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for at least six months and have at least one unused page.

 

The Moldovan authorities have confirmed they will accept British passports extended by 12 months by British Embassies and Consulates under additional measures put in place in mid-2014.

 

Emergency Travel Document (ETD)

 

ETDs are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Moldova.

 

Student groups travelling to Moldova for summer camps/charity/voluntary work

 

The Moldovan authorities have asked groups wishing to attend summer camps and/or carry out charity/voluntary work to complete a medical form.

 

Money

The Moldovan economy is traditionally cash-driven, you may not always be able to pay by card (particularly outside of the capital city Chisinau). When paying by card, ensure that you maintain sight of it at all times.

 

The most widely accepted foreign currencies are the US Dollar and the Euro. You should carry some Euro cash. Notes should be in perfect condition or they may not be accepted. It is not always easy to exchange Sterling for local currency.

 

Moldovan Lei can be obtained from a number of ATM machines in Chisinau, but only a very limited number will accept ‘chip and pin’ cards. ATMs outside Chisinau will not accept ‘chip and pin’ cards. There have been incidences of credit card fraud and fraud involving ATMs in Moldova. Where possible only use ATMs inside banks. Make sure your PIN is not seen by others when withdrawing money.

 

Natural disasters

 

Moldova is located in a seismically active area and is prone to small earth tremors that are recorded throughout the year without consequence. The last significant earthquake occurred in 1986, causing fatalities and damage to buildings.

 

Consular assistance

 

UK Citizens

 

British Embassy Chisinau

18/1 Nicolae Iorga Str.

Chisinau

MD-2012

Moldova

Email

Enquiries.Chisinau@fco.gov.uk

 

Telephone

(+373) (22) 225 902

 

Fax

(+373) (22) 251 859

 

Telephone: Consular section

(+373) (22) 225 902

 

Email

Consular.Chisinau@fco.gov.uk

 

Opening hours:

 

Summer, mid June to end August (GMT +3 hours)

Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5:30pm

Friday, 9am to 1pm

Winter, September to mid June (GMT + 2 hours)

Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5.30pm

Friday, 9am to 2pm

 

US citizens

 

Embassy of the United States of America

103 Mateevici street

Chisinau MD-2009

Republic of Moldova

 

Tel: (+373 22) 408 300 (Reception)

Fax: (+373 22) 233 044

 

Visas Services

 

For all visa and immigration questions

 

Call 022-893060 in Moldova, or 1-703-988-7104 in the USA.

 

You can also visit www.ustraveldocs.com/md, or email support-moldova@ustraveldocs.com.

 

U.S. Citizen Services

 

For U.S. Citizen Services related issues please email: Chisinau-CA@state.gov

 

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

 

57/1, Banulescu-Bodoni Street

ASITO Building, 5th Floor

Chisinau, Moldova 2005

 

Tel: (+373 22) 201 800

Fax: (+373 22) 237 277

 

American Resource Center (Library)

 

75, Alexei Mateevici str.

Chisinau MD-2009

Republic of Moldova

 

Tel.: (+373 22) 85 1705

Fax: (+373 22) 85 1720

 

E-mail: ARCChisinau@state.gov

 

Please note that the American Resource Center can not answer any questions about visas. For visa inquiries, please see the Consular contacts above.

 

Australian Citizens

 

Australian Embassy in Russia is responsible for Moldova. No Embassy in country.

 

Address

10A/2 Podkolokolny Pereulok

Moscow 109028

Russia

 

Telephone

+7-495 956 6070

 

Fax

+7-495 956 6170

 

Website

Australian Embassy in Russia website: http://russia.embassy.gov.au/mscw/home.html

 

 

Chinese Citizens

 

ADDRESS Chinese Embassy in Chisinau, Moldova

 

Str. M. Dosoftei 124

2004 Chisinau

Moldova

 

TELEPHONE (+373) 22-21 07 12

FAX (+373) 22-29 59 60

EMAIL chinaemb@mtc.md

chnembassy@126.com

WEBSITE md.china-embassy.org

HEAD OF MISSION Mr Fang Li, Ambassador  

 

Russian Citizens

 

Address:153 Stefan chel Marie prosp, Chisinau, 2004, Moldova

Phone:(+ 373 22) 23-49-42, 23-49-43, 23-49-44

Fax:(+ 373 22) 23-51-07

www:http://www.moldova.mid.ru/

E-mail:

Consular and Visa Department

Phone:(+ 373 22) 23-51-10, 23-51-08

Fax:(+ 373 22) 23-51-09

 

German Citizens

 

German Embassy in Chisinau, Moldova

 

Str. Maria Cibotari 35

2012 Chisinau

Moldova

TELEPHONE(+373) (22) 20 06 00 / 1 / 2

FAX(+373) (22) 23 46 80

 @chisinau.diplo.de

 .chisinau.diplo.de

 HEAD OF MISSION Dr Berthold Traugott Johannes, Ambassador

 

 Norwegian Citizens

 

No representation in country, nearest embassy is Romania: 

 

Royal Norwegian Embassy

Strada Atena 18

011832 Bucharest 1

 

Phone: +40 (0) 21 306 98 00

Fax:     +40 (0) 21 306 98 90

E-mail: emb.bucharest@mfa.no

 

Swedish Citizens

 

12 Toma Ciorba Street, MD 2004

Chisinau

 

Postal address

Embassy of Sweden

12 Toma Ciorba Street, MD 2004

Chisinau

Republic of Moldova

 

Phone, fax, email:

Tel: +373 22 26 73 20 

Fax: +373 22 26 73 30

E-mail: ambassaden.chisinau@gov.se

 

Working hours:

 

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00

 

Opening hours for the public:

 

Monday-Friday: 10.00-12.00