Romanian Consulate to extend its work schedule

The Consulate of the Embassy of Romania has an extended work schedule in order to cope with the high number of visa applications from Moldovan citizens. According to a press release from the Embassy of Romania in Chisinau, quoted by Info-Prim Neo, individual visa applications can be submitted from Monday to Friday, between 9.00 and 15.00. The visas are issued between 16.00 and 19.00. In what concerns companies, visa applications can be submitted from Monday to Friday, between 19.00 and 21.00. The applications sent via the fax are not valid. On Saturday and Sunday, between 9.00 and 15.00 consular assistance is offered to notary documents and CRDS passports. Also, applications for obtaining the Romanian citizenship can be submitted. The Romanian Consulate specifies that all the operations related to the issuance of visas for the citizens of Moldova are free of charge and are performed according to a schedule. The Consulate recommends the applicants not to appeal to services of the so-called intermediaries, practice which is disapproved by the consulate and for the consequences of which it is not responsible. Issues related to the higher number of Moldovan citizens who solicit visas for Romania determined the direct involvement of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The staff of the Consulate was increased, as well as the visa issuance capacity – 300-350 visas per day. Romania called for Chisinau authorities in early 2006 to open two general consulates, in the cities of Cahul and Balti, but no answer came so far. Also, a more spacious building for the consulate was requested, given that the actual headquarters is rather small, but no agreement was reached in this respect as well. According to the estimations of the Romanian MFA, the number of visas offered to the citizens of Moldova could amount to 100 000 visas annually.