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Moldova
Country Specific Information
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January 22, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Moldova is a republic with a freely elected government. It has been an independent nation since 1991. Its capital, Chisinau,
offers adequate hotels and restaurants, but tourist facilities in other parts of the country are not highly developed, and
many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Moldova for additional information.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.SAFETY AND SECURITY: The U.S. Government has no information related to the targeting of U.S. citizens, interests or facilities by terrorist organizations in Moldova, and no Americans have been killed or injured as a result of terrorist activity in Moldova. However, the U.S. government remains deeply concerned about the heightened threat of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. Americans are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution. Because Moldovan Government authorities often ask to see identification on the street, Americans should carry a copy of their passport with them at all times.
The separatist regime in control of the Transnistria region is not recognized by the United States, and consular assistance to American citizens in that region cannot be ensured. Travelers should exercise caution when visiting or transiting Transnistria. Travelers should be aware that there are numerous road checkpoints along roads leading into and out from Transnistria. Taking photographs of military facilities, public buildings, and security forces, including checkpoints along roads leading into and out from Transnistria, is strictly prohibited.
Racially motivated incidents against foreigners and persons of color have occurred in Moldova. Persons of African, Asian,
or Arab heritage may be subject to various types of harassment, such as verbal abuse, and denied entrance into some clubs
and restaurants.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of
Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada,
or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Moldova’s economic difficulties, as well as organized criminal activity and more frequent travel by foreigners to Moldova, contribute to the risk visitors face from street crime, some potentially violent. While this risk is no greater than in most cities in the United States, many Americans have reported theft of money and small valuables from hotel rooms and local apartments. Cases of breaking and entering into homes and offices have occurred. Travelers are wise to exercise the same precautions with regard to personal safety and protection of valuables in Chisinau that they would in any major U.S. city.Precautions should also be taken when using ATMs in Moldova. Some Americans have reported unauthorized withdrawals from their accounts after using ATMs. Instances have been reported of PIN theft from use of ATMs in Moldova, either by “skimming” devices, which record the ATM card information while in use, or by surreptitious observation.
Train and bus services are below Western European standards and some U.S. citizens have been victims of crimes involving thefts
while traveling on international trains to and from Moldova.
Americans who use the Moldovan postal service report frequent losses from international letter and package mail.
Internet Fraud Warning: The Embassy is aware of various confidence schemes that have taken advantage of American citizens,
frequently via the Internet. In some cases these involve the purchase or sale of items on the Internet in which the payment
or shipment of goods was not completed by a Moldovan counterpart. In the spring of 2006, Moldovan police recovered over $250,000
in jewelry that was sent to “buyers” in Moldova from the U.S. via fake online escrow companies. Substantial criminal enterprises
specializing in this type of crime (Internet auction fraud) are emerging in Moldova. In other cases, American citizens, particularly
males, have met potential Moldovan fiancé(e)s on the Internet who have convinced them to send hundreds or even thousands of
dollars, but have no intention of a serious relationship. Once the American citizen starts to question the reason for sending
the money, the Moldovan fiancé(e)s suddenly ends his/her contact. On occasion, American citizens who come to Moldova to visit
someone they have first met over the Internet have reported becoming subject to crimes such as extortion and involuntary detention.
American citizens should be aware that any such activity committed by individuals in Moldova is subject to the Moldovan legal
system and could prove difficult to prosecute. In the vast majority of cases, there is little that the U.S. Embassy can do
to assist American citizens who are defrauded by Moldovans via the Internet.
Please see our information on International Financial Scams.
See our information on Victims of Crime. MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care in Moldova is substandard throughout the country, including Chisinau. In the event of serious medical conditions every effort should be made to go to Western Europe. In the event of emergency, travelers should attempt first to contact the local ambulance service, which is trained to determine which medical facility is most appropriate for treatment and will transport the injured or sick person to that location. Hospital accommodations are inadequate throughout the country and advanced technology is lacking. Shortages of routine medications and supplies may be encountered. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at particular risk due to inadequate medical facilities. The U.S. Embassy maintains lists of medical facilities and English-speaking doctors, but cannot guarantee or endorse competence. Visitors to Moldova are advised to bring their own supply of both prescription and common over-the-counter medications. Pharmacies are not stocked to Western standards and products are not labeled in English. Poor quality and/or fraudulent medications have been reported.
Medical Information: Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Moldova; the World Health Organization (WHO) has placed it in its “highest risk” category. Travelers planning to stay in Moldova for more than 3 months should have a pre-departure PPD skin test status documented. Given the way TB is transmitted, travelers should consider limiting their exposure to TB by avoiding crowded public places and public transportation whenever possible. Domestic help should be screened for TB. For further information, please consult the CDC's Travel Notice on TB at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-TB.aspx.
Other major health concerns include Hepatitis A (food-borne), Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C (blood- and body fluids-borne).
The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases is as high as it is in most developing countries.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the WHO’s web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
Moldova’s highway infrastructure consists mainly of two-lane roads that often lack markings or signage, are unevenly maintained, and seldom have lighting. Caution should be taken to prevent collisions with agricultural vehicles and/or livestock. Urban roads in Moldova are infrequently maintained and often lack clear signs or lane markings. Travel outside of urban areas before dawn and after dusk should be avoided if at all possible. Drivers and pedestrians should exercise extreme caution to avoid accidents, which are commonplace. Many Moldovan drivers would be considered aggressive or erratic by American standards. Many accidents involve drunk drivers. The quality and safety of public transportation vary widely. Trains, trolleybuses, and buses are often old and may frequently break down. Taxis are available in most urban areas, and vary from old Soviet-era vehicles to newer, Western European or American model vehicles.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of the Moldova’s national tourist office at http://www.turism.md/. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service between the United States and Moldova, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Moldova’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Travelers are advised to register any foreign currency brought into Moldova with customs authorities upon entering the country. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Moldova in Washington for specific information regarding customs requirements. Please see our Customs Information.
Visas and residency: Current Moldovan Government (GOM) border registration procedures will remain unchanged under the new immigration law. As of January 1, 2007, U.S. and most other foreign nationals arriving in Moldova do not require a visa and are permitted stays of up to 90 days in any given six-month period. At the point of entry (i.e., airport or border), the Border Guard Service enters the traveler’s personal data into a computer program and transfers the data to the GOM’s Population Register. Visitors are no longer given a paper “registration receipt.” U.S. citizens are able to enter Moldova through Transnistria. However, because they will not have been registered at the border, they will still have to register with the nearest office of the Ministry of Information Development (MID) within three days of arrival in right-bank (western) Moldova.
For stays exceeding 90 days, foreign nationals are required to obtain “immigration certificates” and residence permits from
the National Bureau for Migration. Foreign nationals planning to work in Moldova must also obtain a work permit. Immigration,
residence and work permits usually need to be extended annually, but may be issued for up to five years.
For more information on registering with Moldovan authorities, U.S. citizens are encouraged to call the Consular section of
the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau at (373) (22) 40-83-00.
Requirement to Carry Documentation: As noted above, Moldovan police have the right to request identity documents from any
person. Individuals who fail to produce appropriate ID upon request may be subject to detention and fines. Therefore, Americans
are advised to carry their U.S. passports (or a copy of their passport’s biographic information page) with registration card,
if applicable, or a Moldovan-issued identification document when in public.
Consular Access: Moldovan law enforcement authorities have an uneven record of reporting the arrest or detention of American
citizens to the U.S. Embassy, as required under international agreements. American citizens are therefore advised that if
they are detained or arrested by Moldovan authorities, they should immediately request that the U.S. Embassy be contacted.
Moldovan authorities have generally respected such requests in a prompt manner.
Americans sometimes report encounters with police or other Moldovan officials in which they are pressured to pay a bribe.
Such low-level bribery attempts are commonplace in Moldova. These encounters should always be reported to the U.S. Embassy.
Americans who have refused to pay bribes in Moldova generally report no consequences beyond being delayed or inconvenienced.
Photography: Americans who choose to travel in Transnistria should be aware that foreigners have reported being detained
or harassed by authorities for taking photographs of military facilities or public buildings. Photography of checkpoints
along roads leading into and out from the Transnistria region, or the personnel working there, is prohibited.
Dual Nationality: Moldovan legislation allowing dual citizenship went into effect on October 18, 2003. There is no requirement that dual
nationals enter Moldova on their Moldovan passports. For further questions, please contact the Moldovan Embassy in Washington,
D.C.
Telephone and Postal Services: Outside of Chisinau, travelers may have difficulty finding public telephones and receiving
or making international and local calls. Losses have been reported from international letter and package mail, both of which
are subject to a customs inspection before delivery. “Express” mail services such as DHL and Federal Express are available
in Chisinau, although in most instances prices are high, and shipments arrive from (or reach) the United States in no less
than five (5) business days.
Disabled Access: Persons with disabilities should be aware that public facilities and transportation in Moldova are rarely
designed or built in a way that allows for wheelchair access. Wheelchair entrances, ramps, lifts or similar accommodations
are rare; those that do exist are often below Western standards and/or poorly maintained. Most streets, sidewalks and other
public paths are not well maintained and can be hazardous, particularly in poor weather conditions.
Commercial Transactions: Although still generally a cash-only economy, traveler’s checks and credit cards are becoming increasingly
accepted in Chisinau, although locations that will accept them outside the capital are still rare. Some vendors require the
customer dial in a PIN to authorize a sale by credit card. Caution is advised, however, as some travelers have reported incidents
of unauthorized expenditures made on credit cards during or following their use in Moldova, and there have also been reported
incidents of fraud and account theft using bank machines (ATMs – see “CRIME” above).
Business in Transnistria: As noted in the Safety and Security section above, a separatist regime controls a narrow strip of land in eastern Moldova known as Transnistria ("Pridnestrovie" in Russian). Individuals considering doing business in Transnistria should exercise extreme caution. The Embassy may not be able to offer consular or commercial services to Americans in Transnistria. Moldovan law requires firms (including those located in Transnistria) to register with the Moldovan Government and to use Moldovan customs seals on their exports. Under a December 2005 agreement between Moldova and Ukraine, Ukrainian customs and border officials require Moldovan customs seals on goods exported from Moldova, including Transnistria, and are enforcing this requirement with EU assistance. Transnistrian firms not legally registered with Moldovan authorities operate in contravention of Moldovan law, which may complicate or prevent the import or export of goods. The Government of Moldova has indicated that it will not recognize the validity of contracts for the privatization of firms in Transnistria that are concluded without the approval of the appropriate Moldovan authorities. A number of Internet fraud schemes have originated in Transnistria.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country’s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Moldovan laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Moldova are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in illicit sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties. CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.ADOPTION: U.S. Citizens who adopt a Moldovan child must ensure that the child has a visa valid for travel to Romania in the child's Moldovan passport. This visa is necessary to allow the child to travel to Bucharest, where the parents must apply at the U.S. Embassy for the child's immigrant visa to the United States. Without a Romanian visa, the child will be turned back at the airport or border crossing.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Moldova are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration web site, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Moldova. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located in Chisinau, Moldova, Strada Alexei Mateevici 103; telephone: (373) (22) 23-37-72, after-hours telephone: (373) (22) 23-73-45; Consular Section Fax: (373) (22) 22-63-61. The Embassy’s web site is http://moldova.usembassy.gov. * * *This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated June 7, 2007, to update sections on Entry/Exit Requirements, Safety and
Security, Medical Facilities and Health Information, and Special Circumstances.
