Good to know
- Who this is for: people from other countries who want to study at a university in Moldova.
- The order matters. The invitation letter comes before the visa, and the invitation procedure is finished only after you pay the university’s admission fee.
- Admission rules, tuition and deadlines differ by university and programme. Always read your university’s own page as well as the Ministry’s portal.
- Ask us about your case.
Steps, in order
- You do this
Choose a university and a programme
Official page: Ministry of Education and Research: Study in Moldova portal ↗The Ministry’s portal lists the universities and the programmes open to international students. Tuition depends on the field and the university, so read the page of the programme you want.
- You do this
Apply to the university and send your documents
Official page: Ministry of Education and Research: useful information for international students ↗You fill in the university’s application form and send copies of your documents: a valid passport (valid for at least one year from the day you plan to enter Moldova), your school or university diplomas and, if you are married, your marriage certificate.
Diplomas must be legalised (apostille or consular) and translated into Romanian. Some universities add their own requirements.
- The office does this
The Ministry confirms your right to study
Official page: Ministry of Education and Research: useful information for international students ↗The Ministry examines your documents and issues a confirmation of study entitlement.
- You do this
Pay the admission fee
Official page: Ministry of Education and Research: useful information for international students ↗After the confirmation, you pay the admission fee of 100 euro to the university’s bank account. The invitation procedure is finished only after this payment.
- The office does this
Receive the invitation letter
Official page: Ministry of Education and Research: visa and arrival of international students ↗The university issues the invitation letter and the Ministry endorses it. You need it to apply for the visa.
- You do this
Prepare the documents you must have on arrival
Official page: Ministry of Education and Research: useful information for international students ↗Bring the originals. You also need a criminal record certificate that is still valid when you enter Moldova (apostilled or legalised, and translated), international health insurance valid for at least one year, your birth certificate, a certificate of the language of instruction, and a bank statement showing about 3500 euro.
- You do this
Apply for the visa
Full guide: Moldova visa: how to apply →checked 19 October 2026A long-stay visa (type D) is requested at a Moldovan embassy or consulate. Apply early. The guide explains the documents and where to apply.
- You do this
Get your residence permit for study
Full guide: Residence permit in Moldova (right of residence) →checked 19 October 2026Full guide: Residence permit card and other ID documents for foreigners →checked 19 October 2026Study is one of the reasons for a temporary right of residence, and the request of your university is one of the documents. When you have the decision, you also get the residence permit card.
- You do this
Register your address
Full guide: Register your home address (or deregister) in Moldova →checked 19 October 2026Register the address where you live. The online service is only for Moldovan citizens.
- You do this
Ask your university about a dormitory
Official page: Ministry of Education and Research: useful information for international students ↗The portal gives a student dormitory price of about 40 to 60 euro a month, but it does not say how to apply. Ask the international office of your university.
- You do this
Check the rules before you take a job
Official page: Ministry of Education and Research: useful information for international students ↗The portal says international students can work part time, up to 20 hours a week, during the academic year and full time in the holidays, and that formal employment may still need a work permit.
A change to the number of hours has been proposed, so check the current limit with the General Inspectorate for Migration before you start.
- Practical tip · not from an official source
Plan what comes after graduation
A study permit is tied to your studies. To stay and work after you graduate, you usually need a permit for another reason, such as work. Ask the migration office well before your studies end.
- Not covered here
What this page does not cover
Ask about your case →The tuition of each programme, scholarships, the exact deadlines for each level and what happens if your visa is refused are not covered here.