Moldova travel: Do Indians and Pakistanis in UAE need a visa?

The UAE and Moldova signed a mutual visa exemption agreement recently after Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Mihai Popșoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova.

Under the agreement, Emirati citizens are now exempt from requiring a visa to enter Moldova, marking a significant step in facilitating travel and strengthening people-to-people ties between the two nations.

The meeting also focused on boosting bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across economic, commercial, and investment sectors, aligning with the development ambitions of both friendly countries.

Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi expats living in the UAE will still need a visa to travel to Moldova.

According to Moldova’s foreign ministry, nationals of these countries are also required to hold an airport transit visa “when passing through the international transit area of an airport located in the territory of the Republic of Moldova”.

The ministry further states that citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh require invitations for the issuance of an entry visa to Moldova.

An airport transit visa has a consular fee of 20 euros, whereas a short-stay tourist visa costs 30 euros. The ministry has also listed costs associated with other types of visas, such as a visit visa for private visits to Moldovan citizens or foreign nationals holding a Moldovan residence permit, short-stay business visas, transport visas (for activities related to freight or passenger transportation), sports activities, cultural activities, among others.

The ministry also states that the passport should be issued in the past 10 years, and valid for at least three months beyond the intended date of leaving the territory of Moldova.

Applicants must also show proof of subsistence during transit (the bank statement issued no longer than 10 days before the submission and minimum coverage of 30 euro/day of transit, but not less than 300 euros, for a stay shorter than 10 days).

They also require travel medical insurance valid throughout the territory of the Republic of Moldova, which fully covers the expected period of transit, not less than 30,000 euros.