en
Politics
21 July, 2025 / 09:21
/ 12 February, 2025

Moldova reintroduces visas for citizens of two countries

Moldova is reintroducing the visa regime for nationals of the Republic of Cuba and the Republic of Ecuador. The cabinet today approved a draft law to this effect.

“Following the denunciation of the Agreement between the government of Moldova and the government of the Republic of Ecuador regarding visa-free travel for citizens, the visa regime for nationals of the Republic of Ecuador will be reinstated. Additionally, it is considered appropriate to reintroduce the visa regime for nationals of the Republic of Cuba, based on the same visa regime applied by Cuba to citizens of the Republic of Moldova,” Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mihai Mitu said at the government meeting.

The draft also provides for the abolition of the visa regime for holders of diplomatic and service passports from the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of India.

Since March 1, 2019, Moldova has unilaterally exempted nationals of the Republic of Cuba from the visa requirement to enter the country and asked the Cuban side to reciprocate with Moldovan nationals. However, currently, citizens of Moldova need an entry visa for Cuba, as the principle of reciprocity has not been observed in this field.

According to the explanatory note to the draft, on the period from 2019 to 2023, there were 170 entries and 161 exits by Cuban citizens recorded at the state border of Moldova. Meanwhile, in the same period, there were a total of 1,267 entries and 1,216 exits by citizens of Ecuador crossing the state border.

The draft will be submitted to parliament for consideration and adoption.