Non-EU founders expanding into Moldova need a clear view of the visa and residence track before they commit to flights or sign a lease. Moldova offers strong opportunities for foreign business, but the visa and residence permit process for non-EU citizens has its own document chain, financial thresholds, and approval sequence. This guide sets out the requirements for the business visa (Type C) and the residence permit (Type D), the investor route most founders use, and how we manage the dossier from outside the country.
Business visa (Type C)
The Type C visa is a short-stay business visa typically used for the first set of meetings, due diligence, and preparatory work before founders move to a residence permit. The required documents are:
- Application form. Completed in full and submitted with the dossier; we prepare and review the form to make sure no field is left blank or inconsistent with supporting documents.
- Passport. Valid for at least three months beyond the planned end of stay.
- Recent colour photo. 35 mm x 45 mm, taken within the last six months.
- Invitation. Issued through the Bureau for Migration and Asylum (BMA), or a valid visa or residence permit from a recognised country that exempts the holder from a fresh invitation.
- Proof of accommodation. Hotel reservation for the planned stay or a commitment letter from a Moldovan resident host.
- Financial proof. Bank statement showing at least €30 per day for the duration of the stay, with a €300 minimum.
- Travel medical insurance. Coverage of at least €30,000 valid for the period of stay.
Incorpore prepares the application, files the invitation request with BMA, and coordinates with the consulate where applicable. The single biggest factor in timely approval is whether the dossier matches the current BMA checklist on the day it is filed.
Residence permit (Type D)
For founders who want to live in Moldova while running their company, the Type D residence permit is the right track. Required documents are:
- Application form. Completed and submitted with the full dossier.
- Passport. Valid for at least three months beyond the planned stay.
- Recent colour photo. 35 mm x 45 mm.
- Investment proof. Evidence of investment in or shareholder status in a Moldovan legal entity (shareholder register extract, audited capital contribution, or both).
- Invitation. Issued through BMA, or a valid visa or residence permit from a recognised country.
- Criminal record. Issued in the country of origin, translated into Romanian and legalised (apostille or consular legalisation as required by the issuing country).
- Medical insurance. Coverage of at least €30,000.
The investor track is the most common route for foreign founders. Under current rules, the investor residence permit threshold is at least 30 forecast average monthly salaries invested in shares or equity in a Moldovan legal entity, plus at least one job created at the average forecast monthly salary. In practitioner shorthand this is roughly €100,000 in equity and one local hire.
A simplified residence track exists for IT specialists and managers employed by companies that hold MITP residency, and the Digital Nomad Visa launched in September 2025 covers founders working remotely with foreign-source income above MDL 52,200 per month for 2026.
Why work with Incorpore
We assess the founder's profile against each available residence track and prepare the dossier for the right one rather than the most visible one. That includes:
- Personalised consultation. A short call to map the planned activity, equity, and timeline against the relevant residence options.
- Document preparation. Notarised translations, apostilles, criminal record requests, and the supporting commercial documents in one coordinated workstream.
- Liaison with BMA. We file invitations and follow up directly with the migration authorities so founders do not need to chase status from abroad.
- Application support. Form-filling, error checks, and submission through the right channel for each residence type.
- Consular coordination. Practical guidance on consular fees, appointment booking, and document handover where the visa is issued at a consulate abroad.
- Ongoing support. Help with bank account opening, tax registrations, and operational set-up once the founder is in country.
Company side of the move
A residence permit on the investor track requires a registered Moldovan legal entity. We prepare the formation dossier in parallel with the residence application so the two tracks finish together rather than one waiting on the other. The founder acts under a power of attorney notarised and apostilled in their country of residence; supporting documents are accepted as scans or as physical copies, whichever the client prefers.
For the company side of the move, see company formation in Moldova and bank account opening. For the operational sequence after registration, the step-by-step formation guide walks through the workflow.
Working with us
We handle the complexity so founders can focus on the business. To start, send a short note describing your background, the planned activity in Moldova, and the timeline you have in mind. The structure and the right residence track are discussed on the discovery call before any documents are drafted.