The number of foreign citizens working in the Republic of Moldova is increasing, most of them coming from Asian countries such as Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. According to authorities, this phenomenon reflects both the labor shortage in the local market and the expansion of employment in various economic sectors.
In a response to IPN, the General Inspectorate for Migration stated that in 2025 the number of foreign workers reached 6,167 people, over 30% more than the previous year, and in 2026 it could exceed 8,000. The structure of the countries of origin varies annually, but the main sources of labor remain the same.
Employed predominantly in construction, agriculture
According to IGM, foreign citizens are predominantly employed in construction, agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and public catering – sectors where employers face a shortage of local labor. Concurrently, companies are increasingly requesting unskilled workers in sectors such as textiles, waste recycling, courier services, or furniture production.
With the increase in the number of foreign workers, the number of detected cases of undeclared work has also increased – 296 in 2025, compared to 206 in 2024, and in the first months of 2026, 63 cases have already been identified.
IGM clarifies that, to facilitate the attraction of labor force from abroad, the authorities have introduced digital tools, including the e-migration platform, which allows online submission of applications and payment of fees. Additionally, integration centers have been established in Chisinau, Balti, and Cahul, where foreign citizens benefit from counseling, Romanian language courses, and support for sociocultural adaptation.
The recruitment and integration process
Contacted by IPN, the coordinator of international workforce development within a recruitment company, Eliza Frunză, stated that this market is still in the early stages of development, and the real results will be visible in the next 5-6 years, once the entire cycle is completed – from identifying market needs to the cultural integration of workers.
According to Eliza Frunza, the recruitment process begins with establishing the profile of the workers, including their level of experience and required skills, followed by the search and selection of candidates. The final decision belongs to the employer, and subsequently the preparation of the file for the authorities is initiated, in order to obtain the visa and the work and residence permit.
The entire process involves significant costs, mainly borne by the employer, including recruitment fees, international transportation, and administrative expenses. After obtaining the work permit, the foreign citizen can commence their activity. Their integration is ensured by the employer, together with the recruitment agency, typically offering conditions such as accommodation, transportation, and in some cases, meals.
Prospects for the labor market
In this context, the recruitment specialist mentioned that the Republic of Moldova could become more attractive to foreign labor if several essential conditions are met. This refers to reducing geopolitical uncertainty, optimizing administrative procedures, including visa and work permit processing times, as well as adapting local employers to working with international personnel.
