The amended visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Moldova took effect on July 1. Moldovan journalists, civil society representatives, NGOs and young people will easier get short-stay visas for trips to the EU now, IPN reports.

Under the agreement, the passenger and freight carriers will be able to get a visa by filing an application to the Association of Carriers of Moldova beforehand, mentioning the itinerary, goal, length and frequency of the trips.

Journalists and technical crew who will apply for a visa to travel to the EU member states will have to present a certificate issued by a professional organization or by the employer, where it is specified that the goal of the visit is to carry out journalistic activities.

The close relatives of EU citizens or Moldovan citizens legally residing in the EUwill present only an invitation written by the host.

The embassies and consular missions of the EU member states will issue multiple-entry visas for a period of five years to members of regional Governments and Parliaments and to judges of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Justice.

Some applicants will benefit from a full waiver of the visa fee: close relatives of EU citizens, crew accompanying journalists, young participants in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organized by NGOs, representatives of civil society, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programs.

The visas are issued for a shorter period depending on a number of factors, such as the end of the term in office, expiration of the permit of stay or work contract in an EU country.

Moldovan citizens holding biometric service passports will be able to enter, leave and transit through the territories of the EU member states without visas.