🇷🇺Russian Federation

🇲🇩MoldovaRU-MD

Russian Federation to Moldova visa requirements

Q: How long can a Russian passport holder stay in Moldova without a visa?

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period, counted from the first entry. Longer stays require a long-stay visa or residence permit.

Q: Is Moldova part of the Schengen area or ETIAS?

No. Moldova is not in the Schengen area and is not covered by ETIAS. The Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS authorization do not apply to entry into Moldova. (Moldova has its own separate 90/180 allowance.)

Q: What documents should a Russian traveler bring to the border?

A valid international passport (6-month validity buffer recommended), proof of onward/return travel, accommodation details, and evidence of sufficient funds. Travel medical insurance is recommended.

Q: Can a Russian citizen work in Moldova on visa-free entry?

No. Visa-free entry is only for tourism and short visits. Employment requires the appropriate work visa and residence/work authorization.

Q: Are there special rules for the Transnistria region?

Yes. The breakaway Transnistria region operates its own entry and registration controls. Travelers should be aware of separate documentation and registration requirements when entering that area.

Russian ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for a short tourist visit to Moldova. They may enter visa-free and stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Moldova is not part of the Schengen area or ETIAS, so no Schengen or ETIAS rules apply. As a CIS member state, Russia has long-standing visa-free access to the Republic of Moldova. Holders of an ordinary Russian passport can travel to Moldova for tourism or short visits without obtaining a visa in advance and without a visa on arrival. The permitted stay is up to 90 days within any 180-day period (counted from the first entry). Moldova is NOT in the Schengen area and is NOT covered by ETIAS, so the EU/Schengen 90/180 short-stay rule and the upcoming ETIAS authorization do not apply to entry into Moldova. Travelers should carry a passport valid for at least the duration of stay (a 6-month buffer is widely recommended), proof of onward/return travel, sufficient funds, and accommodation details. This visa-free regime covers tourism and visiting family/friends only; work, study, or stays beyond 90 days require the appropriate long-stay visa or residence permit. Note that the breakaway Transnistria region applies its own entry/registration controls. The visa-free status was confirmed against the official Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) consular pages and corroborated by the Wikipedia visa policy of Moldova summary as of 2026-05-30.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visa-free (no visa required)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period

per entry

Entries

Multiple entries permitted within the 90/180 allowance

from issue date

Visa fee

0 (no visa fee)

consular fee only

Processing time

None - entry granted at the border

standard track

Validity

90/180 day allowance counted from first entry; passport should be valid for the duration of stay

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm your trip qualifies as visa-free

Verify your visit is for tourism, transit, or visiting family/friends and will not exceed 90 days within any 180-day window. Russian ordinary passport holders need no visa for these purposes.

· Tourism/short visit· Max 90 days per 180

/02

Check your passport validity

Ensure your Russian international (zagranpasport) passport is valid. Moldova requires validity for the duration of stay; a 6-month buffer beyond your departure date is strongly recommended.

· International passport· 6-month buffer recommended

/03

Prepare supporting documents

Assemble proof of onward or return travel, confirmed accommodation (hotel booking or host invitation), and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.

· Return ticket· Accommodation proof· Funds

/04

Arrange travel medical insurance

Obtain travel medical insurance valid in Moldova. While not always checked, border officers may ask for it and it protects against medical costs.

· Recommended· Covers stay

/05

Enter Moldova and clear border control

Present your passport and supporting documents at the port of entry (e.g., Chisinau Airport). Your entry date starts the 90/180 count - no visa stamp or fee is required.

· No visa fee· Keep entry record

/06

Track your stay and depart on time

Monitor your cumulative days to stay within 90 days per 180. Overstaying can lead to fines and future entry bans. If you need longer, apply for a long-stay visa or residence permit before the limit.

· Avoid overstay· Long stay needs permit

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

Russian Federation -> Moldova · Visa-free (no visa required)

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RecommendedRussian international passport valid for the duration of stay (6-month buffer recommended)

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RecommendedAt least one or two blank passport pages

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

recommended

RequiredReturn or onward travel ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel booking or host invitation)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RecommendedEvidence of sufficient funds for the stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RecommendedTravel medical insurance valid in Moldova

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RequiredPurpose of visit limited to tourism/short visit (no work)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredStay kept within 90 days per any 180-day period

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RecommendedContact/itinerary details in case border control asks

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RecommendedAwareness of separate entry rules for Transnistria region

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

ConditionalOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesMinistry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova - Visas (consular page)Moldova MFAEI - Travel to Moldova (consular page)Wikipedia - Visa policy of Moldova

Application link included: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova - Visas (consular page)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visa fee0No visa is required for Russian passport holders

Visa on arrival fee0Not applicable - entry is visa-free

Tourist/entry tax0No entry tax charged at the border

Total estimate0 — 0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry at border

Immediate at port of entry

No application or advance processing - admission decided by the border officer on arrival.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

CIS visa-waiver relationship

As a CIS member state, Russia has a long-standing visa-free arrangement with Moldova; Russian citizens have never needed a visa to enter.

High

/02

Short tourist stay within 90/180

Visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism or visiting family fall squarely within the visa-free allowance.

High

/03

Ordinary passport category

The visa exemption applies to ordinary (international) passport holders, which covers the typical tourist.

High

/04

Moldova outside Schengen/ETIAS

Moldova is not in the Schengen area and not covered by ETIAS, so no separate EU travel authorization is needed for entry to Moldova.

Medium

/05

Non-work, non-residence purpose

The trip is for tourism rather than employment, study, or settlement, which would otherwise require a visa or permit.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30

Russia to Moldova route verified

Confirmed visa-free entry for Russian ordinary passport holders (up to 90 days within 180) against the Moldovan MFAEI consular pages and Wikipedia visa policy summaries. No change to Russia's visa-free status; verdict remains visa-free.

/09 — The questions