Everything you need to know to avoid problems when travelling abroad!
IMPORTANT: We would like to remind you that every passenger is OBLIGED to find out and make sure that they have all the necessary permits and documents required for entry into the destination country. Zbor.md sells only airline tickets and is not responsible for REFUSAL OF BOARDING due to any restrictions imposed by the destination country!
For several years now, only biometric passports (with a chip) have been issued in our country. However, not all of our citizens who intend to travel abroad are familiar with all the details related to this document.
Las Palmas Tour Travel Agency has decided to draw your attention to the essential aspects related to obtaining a biometric passport, as well as the benefits provided by this type of document.
Before travelling anywhere, one important thing you should know, or, if you already know it, should not forget, is the following: the airline is not responsible for the existence, validity or proper completion of the documents required for travel. Furthermore, the airline assumes no responsibility for any losses or expenses incurred by the passenger due to non-compliance with the laws, regulations, rules and instructions of the competent state authorities.
In other words, you are responsible for yourself.
To make sure you do not overlook any important detail that could, surprisingly, result in you being sent back home, you need to know whom to contact with your questions. Official information regarding the required documents can only be obtained from the consulate of the destination country.
What are the specifics of the Schengen Area?
If you hold a biometric passport and plan to travel to the EU, you are required to comply with 4 rules. Failure to comply with at least one of them may result in you being turned back at Chisinau Airport, being fined up to EUR 3,000, and receiving a ban on entering one or another country in the Schengen Area (or even a ban on entering the Schengen Area altogether for the next 5 years). In addition, you may face the following consequences: under international and national legislation, you are required to pay for a return ticket if you do not have one, as well as for accommodation, food, interpreter services, telephone calls, etc. If you refuse to pay these expenses, the airline reserves the right to take legal action to recover the costs related to transporting and maintaining you as a passenger.
Therefore, when leaving Moldova, we recommend that you have:
- Medical insurance valid for the duration of your visit;
- An invitation (if applicable) or a valid hotel reservation for the duration of your visit;
- Money (approximately EUR 50 for each day) or other proof of financial means (traveller's cheques, personal credit cards, scholarships, as well as letters of guarantee and invitation).
In addition to these 3 points, you may also be asked to provide the following documents:
- proof of accommodation;
- confirmation from educational institutions in the case of study visits;
- contact details of the host person.
What your biometric passport DOES and DOES NOT allow you to do
Since April 2014, citizens of the Republic of Moldova holding biometric passports have been able to travel visa-free (for short-stay Type C purposes), meaning up to 90 days within a 6-month period. This simplified regime applies to the following countries:
- EU member states that are part of the Schengen Area: Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Greece, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Malta.
- EU member states that do not have full Schengen membership status: Cyprus, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria.
- Associated countries of the Schengen Area: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
If you wish to travel to the United Kingdom or Ireland, you will need a visa. These two non-Schengen countries are not covered by the visa-free regime. The “British Visa Application Centre” is the institution you need to contact to obtain an entry visa for these two countries. It is located in Chisinau, 49/3 Tighina Street, office 54.
The visa-free regime does not grant the right to employment, migration, family reunification or studies exceeding 90 days. For work, migration or studies, a long-term visa is required — a Type D visa (national visa).
Where can you apply for a biometric passport?
At any territorial office of the State Enterprise “Registru” or at any embassy/consular office of the Republic of Moldova abroad.
How much does a biometric passport cost?
The price depends on how urgently you need your passport. If you are prepared to wait 30 days, you will pay 850 lei. If you want your passport to be issued within one hour, it will cost 2,980 lei. In addition to these processing times, you can choose 15 days / 10 days / 5 days / 24 hours / 6 hours / 3 hours. You can find the detailed price list here.
EU requirements for your biometric passport
If you want to travel to the EU, make sure that your passport remains valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of return to Moldova. The document must also have been issued within the last 10 years.
How do you travel if you have an ordinary passport?
If you are a citizen of the Republic of Moldova, hold an ordinary (non-biometric) passport and wish to travel to the Schengen Area, you need a visa, which can be obtained from the embassies of EU / Schengen member states.
By the way, if you are travelling by plane, coach or train for the purpose of “tourism/holiday”, you need to have a return ticket and a hotel reservation. In addition, when entering the EU, Border Police may ask you to provide the following, depending on the purpose of your trip:
- Conferences/seminars/business meetings/etc.: an invitation, the agenda of the conference/seminar/event you are going to attend
- Travelling by car: Green Card — international motor vehicle insurance
- Visiting relatives/friends: the contact details of the person who invited you (address, telephone number) and a copy of the residence permit of the person you are visiting
- Medical treatment: confirmation from the medical institution you are visiting or a recommendation from a medical institution in Moldova for treatment at the relevant institution
It is very important to know that some airlines have the right to refuse boarding if a passenger presents a one-way airline ticket and a Moldovan biometric passport.
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