Right of residence
The right of residence represents the right to live and to establish domicile on the territory of the Republic of Moldova granted to aliens by the competent authority for foreigners - the General Inspectorate for Migration (GIM) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The decision granting the right of residence is the official act issued by GIM confirming the right of provisional or permanent residence on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.
Foreign nationals may apply for provisional residence (provisional stay) in the Republic of Moldova on the basis of a long-stay visa for the
purpose for which it was issued. Exceptions to this rule are: associates or shareholders of legal entities with foreign investments registered in the Republic of Moldova; victims of trafficking in human beings; victims of domestic violence and migrant workers.
Provisional residence may be granted: a) for immigration for work purposes; b) for studies; c) for family reunification; d) for humanitarian, religious or voluntary activities; e) for long-term medical treatment; e.1) for the protection of victims of trafficking in human beings; e.2) for the
protection of victims of domestic violence; f) for other purposes, where the activity of the foreigner does not contravene the legislation of the Republic of Moldova or his/her presence on the territory of the Republic of Moldova is necessary in the public interest or national security; f.1) for activities in the field of information technology; g) for foreign investors; h) for persons in managerial positions; i) for specialists; j) for trainees who have graduated higher education.
Process decription
Aliens who apply for the granting or extension of right of residence, right to repatriation or authorization for emigration shall submit the application in person, with original and copies of the documents enclosed. Applications shall be submitted at the one-stop-shops for the documentation of foreigners of the General Inspectorate for Migration (GIM), in the area where the individual has his/her domicile or residence:
- The One-stop-shop for the Documentation of Foreigners of the CENTRAL Regional
Directorate of the GIM: Chisinau Municipality, 41 Lev tolstoi St.
- The One-stop-shop for the Documentation of Foreigners of the NORTH Regional
Directorate of the GIM: Balti Municipality, 9 Moscovei St.
- The One-stop-shop for the Documentation of Foreigners of the SOUTH Regional Directorate of the GIM: Comrat Municipality, 22 Comsomolului St.
- The One-stop-shop for the Documentation of Foreigners of the SOUTH Regional Directorate of the GIM: Cahul Municipality, 79 Ioan Voda cel Cumplit St.
Payment can be made at/via:
- Post offices of Poșta Moldovei
- Governmental service for electronic payments MPay
- Bank branches
- The GIM’s representative provides advice on the list of documents required for submission.
- The GIM’s representative verifies that the attached documents (including the application form) are correctly filled, if the file is complete, correct and in compliance with the existing regulatory framework
- The GIM’s representative helps the applicant to completely and correctly fill in the application form
- The GIM’s representative checks whether the alien's travel document is recognized or accepted by the Republic of Moldova and whether it is valid.
- The GIM’s representative has the right to reject the application indicating the reason for the return, so that the applicant can complete and/or remove irregularities and to submit the application again.
- Once the file has been submitted, GIM’s representative checks whether the alien is not listed into the Automated Information Subsystem (AIsS) of the GIM and checks the alien's history and enter the alien's data into the GIM's AIsS.
- The GIM’s representative enter the alien's data into the the GIM's AIsS.
- In order to ensure the issuance of the decision, GIM’s representative checks the available/necessary information on the alien and the applicant through various databases that are under the management of the GIM.
- The application (signed by the applicant) and the documents enclosed shall be submitted in person by the applicant to the one-stop-shops for the documentation of foreigners of the GIM.
- In case of application for granting/extension of the right of residence for family reunification, the application shall be signed by the applicant and by the family member residing or domiciled in the Republic of Moldova, for whom the family reunification is being requested.
- When submitting the application for the granting/extension of the right of residence for family reunification, the presence of the family member residing or domiciled in the Republic of Moldova is required.
- The application of the legal entity shall be signed by the manager of the enterprise/head of the institution/organization and the application shall be wet stamped.
The grant decision is issued and can be picked up at the One-stop-shop for the documentation of foreigners of the GIM. Information about the refusal decision is communicated to the applicant by letter within 3 working days from the date of its approval.
