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Moldova

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
21,221
Top destination, 2023
Germany
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
3,498
UK visas issued, 2025
3,972
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
5.7%
NationalityMDISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<MDMOLDOVA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
MD3<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Moldova need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaNo visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day periodRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongVisa requiredImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Moldova move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Germany9,609
  2. Italy3,206
  3. Spain1,634
  4. United States1,090
  5. Czechia836
  6. Belgium781
  7. France666
  8. Türkiye537
  9. Portugal509
  10. Lithuania399
  11. Austria342
  12. Netherlands304
  13. Estonia244
  14. Switzerland169
  15. Finland153

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

18k36k200020032006200920122015201820212023
18k36k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20004,440
200116,161
200214,814
200325,155
200422,630
200521,984
200621,516
200726,776
200835,828
200927,578
201036,129
201122,794
201216,213
201315,315
201412,460
201512,723
201618,120
201716,375
201818,909
201921,683
202018,009
202125,327
202227,998
202321,221
Share going to the top destination
45.3%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Moldova who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Italy218,594
  2. Russia166,187
  3. Ukraine154,284
  4. Romania80,610
  5. France54,287
  6. Spain25,841
  7. Portugal25,458
  8. Canada22,355
  9. Ireland19,842
  10. Türkiye16,824
  11. Greece10,886
  12. Israel10,053

Living abroad by year

432k864k19901995200020052010201520202024
432k864k19902000201020202024
Data table
1990634,901
1995606,003
2000563,893
2005628,876
2010717,352
2015745,934
2020812,653
2024864,257
Living abroad, 2024
864,257
Change since 2000
+53.3%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
25.3%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Moldova by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B22,351
  2. J1585
  3. A2134
  4. C1/D80
  5. P366
  6. F154
  7. G442
  8. A125
  9. G223
  10. K119

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

2,8925,783201720182019202020212022202320242025
2,8925,78320172019202120232025
Data table
20174,013
20184,316
20194,158
20202,138
2021700
20223,308
20235,783
20244,047
20253,498
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR5219
  2. DV184
  3. IR141
  4. IR229
  5. F325
  6. CR118
  7. F2A17
  8. F111
Immigrant visas, FY2025
582
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
34
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Moldova who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Moldova with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

1,4652,9302015201620172018201920202021202220232024
1,4652,930201520172019202120232024
Data table
20152,500
20162,930
20172,480
20182,210
20191,940
20201,370
20211,050
20221,500
20231,540
20241,610
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens970
  2. Refugees and asylees300
  3. Diversity visa lottery180
  4. Family-sponsored preferences80
  5. Employment-based preferences70
  6. Other classes10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)100
  2. Spouses and children60
  3. Specialty occupations (H-1B)40
  4. Intracompany transferees (L-1)30
  5. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)20
  6. Seasonal agricultural workers (H-2A)10
  7. Other temporary workers10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Moldova)
1,610
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Moldova)
1,690
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
10,030
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Moldova (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Moldova (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Work1,975
  2. Visitor1,706
  3. Other221
  4. Family50
  5. Study20

Visas issued by year

2,8065,611201020122014201620182020202220242025
2,8065,611201020132016201920222025
Data table
20101,576
20111,683
20121,563
20131,584
20141,340
20151,321
20161,297
20171,598
20182,443
20193,594
20201,741
20213,676
20225,611
20234,804
20244,445
20253,972
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
35
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Moldova, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20255135201600
20243029551200
202370195751405
202220190452100
202130752023015
2020103551755
2019570352755
2018080404055
2017080406855
20161590251,09015
201551002593020
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Moldova, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

6112005–062007–082010–112012–132014–152016–172019–202021–222023–242025–26
6112005–062010–112014–152019–202023–242025–26
Data table
2005–066
2006–073
2007–083
2008–0910
2010–112
2011–124
2012–134
2013–142
2014–153
2015–161
2016–173
2018–192
2019–202
2020–211
2021–222
2022–2311
2023–243
2024–254
2025–262
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills1
  2. Specialist Skills1
Granted, 2025–26
2
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Moldova living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

871732012201420162018202220242025
871732012201420162018202220242025
Data table
2012144
2013148
2014147
2015154
2016156
2017161
2018164
2019173
2022169
2023165
2024165
2025166
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident92
  2. Spouse or Child of Japanese National22
  3. Long-Term Resident16
  4. Dependent10
  5. Student10
  6. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services8
  7. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident2
  8. Professor2
  9. Business Manager1
  10. Highly Skilled Professional1
Residents, December 2025
166
In work-related statuses
13
Share in work-related statuses
7.8%
Students
10
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Moldova

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Moldova, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Hungary452427255.5%
Czechia409395143.4%
Italy3543114312.1%
Romania306262196.2%
Germany288277103.5%
Bulgaria22018110.5%
Poland2318521.7%

Applications by year

68k136k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
68k136k200920122015201820212024
Data table
2009136,020
201051,607
201155,711
201252,056
201353,319
201413,932
20152,314
20162,069
20171,549
20182,615
20191,962
2020751
2021731
20221,557
20231,676
20242,052
Refusal rate, 2024
5.7%
Refusal rate, 2019
4.4%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Moldova in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Work8,449
  2. Family7,694
  3. Other reasons1,756
  4. Education1,569
First permits by country
  1. Poland4,186
  2. Romania3,487
  3. Italy2,879
  4. Germany2,589
  5. France1,022
  6. Czechia909
  7. Portugal854
  8. Spain537
  9. Hungary434
  10. Belgium424
  11. Lithuania357
  12. Slovakia323
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card26
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)42
  3. Researchers8
  4. Other paid activities8,373
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
44
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
14,852
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
16,068
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
11,665
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
196,979
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
3,916
Changed status into work, 2025
826
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
1
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
4,135
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Moldova in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark202569655251
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland2025401822
Austria202525717087
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of Moldova living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. EU free movement18,265
  2. Neither tolerated nor permitted8,770
  3. Permanent residence title5,075
  4. Tolerated stay (Duldung)2,010
  5. International law, humanitarian or political reasons1,985
  6. Application for a residence title pending1,855
  7. Family reasons1,245
  8. Employment280
  9. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure260
  10. Special residence rights and national visas215
  11. Education and training185

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

23k45k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
23k45k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201412,330
201514,815
201616,945
201717,245
201820,375
201923,995
202026,905
202136,220
202245,345
202343,245
202441,410
202540,155
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
40,155
With a residence title for employment
280
Permanent residence title
5,075
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of Moldova, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

1,9573,9132016201720182019202020212022202320242025
1,9573,913201620182020202220242025
Data table
20162,538
20172,488
20182,490
20191,947
20201,320
20213,729
20223,913
20232,926
20242,178
20252,788
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family1,855
  2. Asylum and protection407
  3. Work266
  4. Other reasons242
  5. Study18
New permits, 2025
2,788
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
84,624
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
66,920
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Moldova

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Moldova, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Austria1——
Azerbaijan1——
Belarus1——
Bulgaria1——
China1——
Czechia1——
France1——
Georgia1——
Germany1——
Hungary1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Latvia1——
Lithuania1——
Netherlands1——
Poland1——
Qatar1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
Slovakia1——
Sweden1——
Türkiye11—
Ukraine1——
United Kingdom1——
Countries
24
Missions
25
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Moldova, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

1,0962,1922000200320062009201220152018202120242025
1,0962,192200020052010201520202025
Data table
2000178
2001242
2002323
2003484
2004701
2005915
20061,176
20071,491
20081,888
20091,352
20101,753
20111,813
20121,986
20132,192
20142,076
20151,540
20161,467
20171,638
20181,838
20191,910
20201,877
20212,119
20222,038
20232,012
20241,918
20251,914
Remittances received, 2025
US$1,914 million
Share of GDP, 2025
9.4%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Moldova, 2023
2.0%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Moldova

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Moldova → Germany
  • Moldova → Italy
  • Moldova → Spain
  • Moldova → United States
  • Moldova → Czechia
  • Moldova → Belgium
  • Moldova → France
  • Moldova → Türkiye
  • Moldova → Portugal
  • Moldova → Romania
  • Moldova → Poland
  • Moldova → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more