No more consular fees for Moldovans who visit first grade relatives in EU

The Moldovans who are invited for a visit by their first degree relatives who live in the European Union won’t have to pay the €35 consular fee anymore for the visa. They will also have to present fewer justificatory papers. The changes have been proposed by Moldovan negotiators and accepted by the European ones. The amendment to the Agreement between Moldova and the EU on visa facilitation of the regime will be ratified by the Moldovan and European parliaments. The draft ratification document has been approved on Wednesday, October 10, by the parliamentary commission for foreign policy and European integration, Info-Prim Neo reports. General secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Mihai Capatina stated at the commission's meeting that the amendments would bring many benefits to the Moldovan citizens. The changes provide for the issuance of multiple long-term visas for 1 and 5 years. Young men aged 25 or younger who attend seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events in the EU, as well as representatives of civil society who travel for professional training won’t have to pay consular fees. The holders of biometric work passports won’t need a visa at all. According to the MAEIE general secretary, the amendments will likely come into effect next year.