Moldova becomes impossible destination for Romanians

The Republic of Moldova became an impossible destination for Romanian citizens as the Migration and Asylum Office in Chisinau, which issues invitations, does not provide information for the applicants. An article published in the Romanian daily “Evenimentul Zilei” (“Event of the Day”) on May 25, quoted by Info-Prim Neo, says that the electronic address migrare@moldova.md posted on the website of the Migration and Asylum Office in Chisinau does not exist and the messages return to the sender. The Romanian citizens say that the phones are not answered as the civil servants complain that they have to deal with a lot of applications submitted in person and do not have time to answer them. In order to cross the border to Moldova, the Romanians need a valid passport, a passport-type photograph in color, a visa application form, a valid ticket up to the destination and an invitation issued by the Migration and Asylum Office of the Moldovan Ministry of the Interior. “One should obtain the invitation from the Migration and Asylum Office in Chisinau and then come to us for a visa,” sources in the Embassy of Moldova in Bucharest say. A simpler variant, Evenimentul Zilei says, is for the Moldovan citizens to apply for the given invitation for acquaintances from Romania. Thus, the Moldovans should submit a statement, saying what the aim of the Romanian national’s visit is, a copy of their identification paper and a copy of the passport of the invited person and pay a fee of 45 lei. The passenger carriers are also dissatisfied. They say that the number of Romanians that travel to Moldova fell by 20-30%. The carriers must declare what route they follow even if they are authorized carriers and work according to a fixed timetable. The Romanian nationals that go to Ukraine also need a transit visa for Moldova. In this case, the applicants do not need an invitation and the visa is issued during a day or two. The Romanian press says that the Moldovan Consulate in Bucharest so far has issued about 600 visas, including transit visas. In April, the border with Moldova was crossed by 40,300 Romanians – 20,400 entered the neighboring country, while 19,900 left it. In March, 56,200 Romanians crossed the Prut – 27,900 entered, while 28,300 left Moldova. The Government of Moldova imposed a visa regime for Romanian travelers on April 9, 2009.