The members of diplomatic missions and consular officers, representatives of international organizations accredited to Moldova and the members of their families will be exempted from the obligation to possess a visa when entering Moldova. The MPs adopted amendments to normative document regarding the stay of foreigners in Moldova after giving them a first reading, IPN reports.

The holders of travel documents issued by the Council of Europe, the European Union, the Sovereign Order of Malta, the International Red Cross Committee and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will also enter Moldova visa free.

The new regulations facilitate the issuing of documents to citizens of the EU Member States by excluding the obligation to confirm possession of financial resources and of health insurance for granting the right to stay temporarily in Moldova and for a period of five years. Also, the period for examining applications for granting or extending the right of stay was shortened to 15 calendar days. The concessions were provided in connection with the obtaining by Moldova of the EU candidate status.

The holders of a permit of stay or a valid visa, except for transit visas, issued by the UK, the U.S. and Canada will be exempted from the procedure of obtaining an invitation for being granted an entry or exit visa.

The bill was given a first reading and was passed by the votes of 58 MPs.