Life in Moldova

Identity documents for foreign nationals

Information checked on 4 October 2026. The official page was last updated on 10 July 2026. Rules change: confirm with the responsible institution before you act.

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Identity document – attests the identity and legal status of the foreign national, the holder's right of residence in the Republic of Moldova, and the duration and purpose for which this right was granted, and is valid only on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. It ensures the right of legal residence of foreign nationals and their records on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

The service is provided exclusively at the request of individuals, and has different fees, charges and application models depending on the category and period.

Temporary residence permit (IR) – An official identity document, issued by the authority competent for foreign nationals in accordance with the provisions of the law, which attests the identity and legal status of the foreign national, the holder's right of residence in the Republic of Moldova, and the duration and purpose for which this right was granted, and which is valid only on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

The temporary residence permit is issued to a foreign national who has been granted or has had extended the temporary right of residence, for the period of validity of the holder's right of residence in the Republic of Moldova, but which cannot exceed the period of validity of the foreign citizen's passport or valid travel document, issued by the state where the person has their home.

To obtain the temporary residence permit because the period of validity is expiring, the foreign national must apply to the Single Counter for the Documentation of Foreign Nationals of the IGM of the MAI at least 30 days before this situation occurs.

Permanent residence permit (CR) – The permanent residence permit is issued to a foreign national, except for stateless persons, who has been granted the permanent right of residence in the Republic of Moldova.

The permanent residence permit is issued for the period of validity of the national identity document and is renewed successively. To obtain the residence permit or the identity card because the period of validity is expiring, the foreign national must apply to the Single Counter for the Documentation of Foreign Nationals of the Migration and Asylum Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at least 30 days before this situation occurs.

Temporary residence permit for stateless persons (IC) – ensures the right of legal residence of stateless persons and their records on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

Identity card for stateless persons (CC) – The identity card for stateless persons is issued to stateless persons whose status as stateless persons has been recognised, and to those who have been granted the permanent right of residence in the Republic of Moldova, for use on the territory of the republic.

The identity card for stateless persons is issued with a period of validity:

a) from birth to 10 years;

b) from 10 to 16 years;

c) from 16 to 25 years;

d) from 25 to 45 years;

e) from 45 – for life.

Identity card for refugees (RI/RR) – to persons whose refugee status has been recognised, including their children. The identity card for refugees is issued for 5 years;

Identity card for beneficiaries of humanitarian protection (IH) – to persons who have been granted humanitarian protection, including their children. The identity card for beneficiaries of humanitarian protection is issued for 3 years;

Travel document for stateless persons (PC) – issued to stateless persons whose status as stateless persons has been recognised, and to those who have been granted the permanent right of residence in the Republic of Moldova, for leaving and entering the Republic of Moldova.

The travel document for stateless persons is issued to persons under 7 years of age for 4 years, to persons aged 7 to 16 years for 7 years, and to those over 16 years of age for 10 years. Travel document (PT) (Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951) – to persons whose refugee status has been recognised, regardless of age, for leaving and entering the Republic of Moldova. The travel document for refugees is issued for a period of 5 years;

Travel document (PH) (humanitarian protection) – to persons who have been granted humanitarian protection, regardless of age, for leaving and entering the Republic of Moldova. The travel document for beneficiaries of humanitarian protection is issued for a period of 3 years;

The identity documents of beneficiaries of international protection are issued by the Migration and Asylum Bureau on the basis of the decision to grant international protection, in accordance with the legislation in force.

At a glance

Fee details

Fees for the IR/CR services
20 working days - 350 lei (IGM fee) +150 lei (state fee)
10 working days - 700 lei (IGM fee) +150 lei (state fee)
5 working days - 1050 lei (IGM fee) +150 lei (state fee)

1 working day - 1400 lei (IGM fee) +150 lei (state fee)

On the day of application - 1750 lei (IGM fee) +150 lei (state fee).
Fees for the (IC) services:
20 working days - 130 lei + 150 lei
10 working days – 260 lei + 150 lei
5 working days - 390 lei + 150 lei
1 working day - 520 lei + 150 lei
On the day of application - 650 lei + 150 lei
Fees for the RI/IH services
20 working days - 130 lei (IGM fee)
10 working days - 260 lei (IGM fee)
5 working days - 390 lei (IGM fee)
1 working day - 520 lei (IGM fee)
1303 (IGM fee)
Fees for the CC services
20 working days - 130 lei (IGM fee) + 150 lei (state fee)
10 working days - 260 lei (IGM fee) + 150 lei (state fee)
5 working days - 390 lei (IGM fee) + 150 lei (state fee)
1 working day - 520 lei (IGM fee) + 150 lei (state fee)
On the day of application - 650 lei (IGM fee) +150 lei (state fee).
Fees for the (PT) and (PH) services:
20 working days - 650 lei (for a child under 12 years of age – 1000 lei);
Fees for the (PC) services:
20 working days - 650 lei + 150 lei
10 working days - 1240 lei + 150 lei
5 working days - 1430 lei + 150 lei
1 working day - 1690 lei + 150 lei
On the day of application - 2080 lei + 150 lei
1The conditions for providing the service with concessions are stipulated in point 19 of annex no.3 to Government Decision no.966/2020 on the services provided by the Public Services Agency
2 The conditions for providing the service with concessions are stipulated in point 18 of annex no.3 to Government Decision no.966/2020 on the services provided by the Public Services Agency.

How to apply

  1. Submitting the application

    The application is submitted at the territorial subdivisions of the IGM of the MAI (centre/north/south) in whose area the applicant/individual has their home address/residence, or the registered office/office in the case of legal entities.

  2. Examining the application and the attached documents

    When applications/requests are submitted, the employee at the Single Counter identifies the foreign national, checks the correctness and completeness of the application and the documents presented, establishes their authenticity and legality, and accepts or returns the application.

    • If the application is accepted, the Counter employee applies the stamp “Conform to the original” on the copies of the documents received and informs the applicant of the examination period and of the fees to be collected for the services provided in accordance with the provisions of the legislation in force.
    • If the application for the granting of the right to stay is rejected, the Counter employee informs the applicant of the reason for the rejection and asks for the irregularities found to be removed or the missing documents to be submitted.

    Documentation with identity documents is carried out through a phased mechanism, in compliance with the regulatory framework and the specific needs of each case.

  3. Paying for the service

    The public service can be paid:

    • through the government electronic payment service MPay
    • at bank branches/subsidiaries
    • at Poșta Moldovei
  4. Handing over the identity document

    Identity documents are handed over against signature, to the holder in person or to their legal representative, or to a representative authorised by a power of attorney. When the identity document is handed over to the legal representative, they identify themselves by their identity document and, where applicable, present the document attesting placement under guardianship or curatorship.

Required documents

List of documents for documentation with the travel document for stateless persons

List of documents for documentation with the permanent residence permit

List of documents for documentation with the temporary residence permit for studies

List of documents for documentation with the identity card for refugees or humanitarian protection

List of documents for documentation with the identity card for stateless persons

List of documents for documentation with the temporary residence permit for family reunification with a citizen of the RM, with a foreign citizen or in other justified cases

List of documents for documentation with the temporary residence permit for work purposes for an immigrant worker, partner/shareholder, persons in management positions, humanitarian/religious/volunteering activities

The full list of documents is on the official page.

Legal basis

Have a question about your situation?

Ask on the site: the answer comes from official documents, with quotes and links to the sources.

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Source. The information comes from the official page “Documentarea cu acte de identitate pentru străini”, provided by General Inspectorate for Migration, on the government portal evo.gov.md.

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