I am travelling to Moldova in a couple of weeks and I cannot seem to get a straight answer from their embassy here in the US. I know their web site and others say that US citizens do not need an invitation letter however it also says that one can only get a visa upon arrival at the airport if there is no Moldova embassy at the country from which I come. Having said that, somewhere I read that this is not true and a US citizen can get the visa at the Airport.
Can anyone who has been there shed a little light on the subject?
Hi Jetson, I have never been there but I believe I have heard Jetmba say on several occasions that getting a visa at the airport is no problem. You may want to check with him to be sure.
Hi Jatson
Your right you don't need an invitation but you need a visa. You need to get the visa at the Moldovan embassy in your country first. If your country doesn't have a Moldovan embassy then you can get one at the airport. Since there is a Moldovan Embassy in the US you should get the visa before traveling. I was at the Moldovan Embassy in the UK and they made a point of telling me this as they are having a crack down on people who do not obtain a visa first as with more foreigners traveling to Moldova they are having problems issuing visas at the airport. Since I travel on an NZ passport I got the visa at the airport anyway. I'm not saying you can't get a visa at the airport, but getting one before you travel will avoid potential problems.
Jetson...I don't think ben2006 could have explained it better. I was in Moldova a few months ago and got my visa at the airport. It's a very informal process...you walk in off the tarmac and into the terminal, and there is a counter to the right...cash only. I flew on Air Moldova and I was able to get mine no problem (I'm a US citizen) because there isn't a consulate in Prague. I was told most of the time, it is no problem to get it at the airport, most of the time being the disclaimer. I also have a friend here in the US who travels to Moldova every two months, and he always gets him visa at the airport. As ben says, and from what I have seen and heard in the area, I would strongly recommend you just get it before you leave.
VNV...my experience was very favorable. Not a lot of people speak English. The women are beautiful. The people are very friendly. I didn't think it was the most scenic city...definitely not like many Russian and a few Ukrainian cities. You can find a few nice hotels, but they are pricey. I rented an apartment, which is much more cost effective. I felt safe the whole time I was there...same precautions you hear about all the cities. It's only like a three hour drive from Odessa. Good restaurants, and inexpensive. Not sure what kind of nightlife you are looking for, but I went to a couple of dance clubs with a younger clientel...didn't matter...I had a blast. You'd probably need more feedback from others about the nightlife. I know an excellent translator there with a local agency, and she is very attentive. Wanted to get you to use as many services as possible, but I can't say enough positive things about their service. The country side and historical monastaries are awesome, if you're into that kind of thing. Moldova is known for world class wines, and there are some unbelievable underground wineries to see. Vintage wines that would cost over a hundered dollars a bottle here in the US can be bought there for like twenty dollars.
jetson...make sure you register with the local police office when you arrive. They put a big red sticker on the back of your passport reminding you to do it, but you can end up with a lot of hassle and fine if you don't do it. Street police can randomly ask to see your passport and police registration...you want to have it.
Thanks everyone for the info. The reason I started this is because I am having additional pages added to my passport (running out of room)and it is taking much longer than expected, which does not leave much time for me to get the visa here, that is why I was questioning about getting it at the airport. The Moldovan embassy here just was non commital.
RK I would be interested in getting the contact info on the translator...may need her, also $$ per hour. Just send it to my email if you would please. I looked at apartments online, some are reasonable but when my lady tried to contact the gentlemen in charge for a quick looksee of the apartment, he talked to her but never called her back to set up an appointment. She warns me about a lot of agencies that cannot be trusted and suggested I use one other agency that has been around for a while and she is familiar with. Their web site is bleak at best and cost a bit more than what I can find on my own but I think I will go with her suggestion, she is the one that lives there. She will also go look at the apartments for me and pick one then I will contact them directly and make the reservations.Already have plans for a wine tasting tour/outing....should be fun! I hope it is not too cold.
I have traveled to Russia and Ukraine several times but new to Moldova, so any information I can get from anyone is greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, I will be taking the train from Chisinau to Odessa, they tell me $8 first class...anyone gone on it yet?
I would also appreciate any information. I have found a website run by a young man who lives in Chisinau; he offers a lot of good advice for visitors on such things as getting around town, where to eat, etc.
Jetson good luck on your trip. I will be there from 2/11 - 2/26. I normally use the services of an agency called Star agency run by Svetlana. I normal get a nice 3 room flat for around $65 a night. The train from Chisinau to Odessa is about $8 but don't expect first class to be what you are used to. Are you traveling with your lady? That's what I did and am glad I did. She handled all the ticket and passport, visa problems. Jetson your asking about a visa to Moldova but if you take the train to Odessa you will need a visa for the Ukraine also. At least I did one year ago. I think I heard something about Americans not needing a visa anymore to visit the Ukraine. Maybe someone else knows for sure. Let me know if you would like the e-mail address for Svetlana's agency. She also offers translators, but I thought they were a little pricy at $10 an hour. Besides, my lady and I are both private people and would rather not have a third party in the middle of our relationship. However, the first 3 or 4 days I did use one. If you are going soon prepare for cold weather. Chisinau is having the worst winter since 1941, so I'm told. Again best of luck on you trip and maybe we will cross paths while we are there.
I have used an agency and got a 1 bedroom apartment for a similar price (65 euro). The advantage of the apartments are you can get extras like DVD players and a kitchen which you can not in a hotel. A hotel will register you with the police automatically where as an via an agency they may change a fee (something like 15 euro) and it may take a bit of your time to hand over your passport and collect it in an hour.
Of my 5 trips to moldova I have never had any problems. Chisinau has a number of good hotels and restaurants as reported here. Good luck on your trip John and Jetson. I'm heading there myself in 3 days. Not looking forward to the cold i have to say!
My thanks to all of you for your information. I joined this site about Jan. 10 and have been floundering around blindly. I learned more on this forum than I did in 3 + weeks of letter writing. I was a little naive, thus very suprised to learn of the uphill battle that is ahead of me, but then again, I've never had anything good handed to me in life. I've had to go out and get it.
RK, thanks for the feedback on Moldova. Could you either post the agency name here or send it to my email? I want to check out Moldova on my next trip.
This is getting interesting. Thanks Johninatl, please send me the info on Svetlana's agency, one can never have enough info. I had planned on arriving there on the 16th but it looks as if I may be able to get there a little earlier, perhaps the 14th Feb....will be a short visit this first time, if all goes well then next time I will make it an extended stay. I'll send you my cell # and you can always send me a Text message once there and who knows! I do not know how busy she is going to keep me but it would be nice to know your whereabouts just in case things go bust. I will probalbly also get a local SIM card for my cell, I always do, it is much cheaper for local calls. I think I will need a translator for one or two days.
Ben 2006, how long will you be there?...boy it seems like Grand Central Station or Heathrow in Chisinau...everyone is going there!
As for the Ukrainian visa, not required now for US or EU, but I still have a valid business visa from last time. Yes, it is the plan for now that my lady travel with me to Odessa...we'll have to see. I never count on anything anymore until it happens...the old saying...it is not over until the fat lady sings!
i donīt know meanwhile how often i mentioned it here on this forum regarding visaīs:
you donīt need to purchase one in your home embassy of moldova. sure, they will advice you to buy one upfront at embassy - but the sole reason for this is, that they want to make their own money in embassy.
it also doesnīt matter if you have a moldovan embassy in your home-country or not - you will get your visa in airport!
and i have never heard about that crap, that in airport they would be now reluctant to issue visaīs - lol!. they will be glad to issue more visaīs in airport to earn more money there.
ukraina: you donīt any visa to go there - if you are citizen from eu or usa. it is a matter of fact since may 2005.
apartment for $65 for one or two bedrooms? this price is way to high! if you have any girlfriend there, let her arange an apartment, it will be much cheaper (as long as she is not on the side of the agency and interested to earn also some bucks from apartment dealing).
for those who donīt know me: i am regular to moldova since more than 5 years and travelling to there for business at least half a dozen per year.
i also confirm not to book an room in a hotel. the price-quality ratio is very modest in moldova regarding this issue. if some one is interested i have contacts enough regarding appropriated apartments.