Passport application and renewal

A Moldovan ID ('buletin') is an internal document and is not typically required for international travel, including to Italy. Travel to Italy can usually be done using a Moldovan international passport. For entry into Moldova, standard procedures apply, which may involve presenting a passport, hotel bookings, insurance, and contact information.

Individuals residing abroad who need to renew Moldovan documents (e.g., passport, buletin) should apply at the Moldovan Consulate. Obtaining an appointment can be difficult, and official information is primarily available on the consulate's website. In cases of expired Moldovan passports, presenting a valid Russian passport and a Moldovan internal document (buletin) may suffice for entry into Moldova, but official confirmation is recommended.

For a Moldovan passport application, two colored matte photographs measuring 35x45mm are required. Photos should show the face fully up to the shoulders, without headwear or glasses, against a white background.

For Russian citizens who have lost their passport and wish to travel to Moldova, obtaining a 'certificate for return' (white passport) is an option. This allows travel via a single flight ticket (e.g., Moscow-Yerevan-Chisinau) without passing through immigration at the transit point. Bus travel is generally not permitted with a white passport. Having a photo of a Moldovan 'bulletin' can expedite the process of obtaining a white passport.

The Moldovan Embassy in Moscow operates Monday to Friday. Document submission is typically in the morning (before 12 PM), and passport collection is from 3 PM to 5 PM. The processing time for a 'white passport' (likely referring to a temporary or travel document) for a six-month-old child is generally around one day; submission in the morning allows for collection in the afternoon. Matte photos are usually required.

In Chisinau, Moldovan citizens can obtain ID cards and international passports via an expedited 1-day service at specific multifunctional centers (e.g., on Pushkin St or Albișoara St). The ID card fee is 290 MDL, and the passport fee is 1690 MDL. Prices for passports are subject to change after August.

Yes, it is possible for a Russian citizen to hold two valid ten-year biometric passports simultaneously, provided the five-year valid passports are not held. The relevant legislation is Federal Law No. 114, Article 11, Part 3.

To obtain an emergency travel document (often referred to as a "white passport") from the Embassy of Moldova in Moscow, the procedure is as follows: Visit the embassy on weekdays between 8 AM and 12 PM. The cost is 2500 Russian rubles. Photographs (35x45 mm, matte, color, white/light background) can typically be taken at the embassy, but it's advisable to have them ready. This document is not cancelled and is still available.

To apply for or renew Moldovan travel documents (e.g., passport, ID card) in Moscow, you typically need to visit the consular section of the Moldovan Embassy. For document issuance, appointments might be required, or it could be a walk-in service during specific hours, often in the afternoon, possibly with a live queue. The exact procedure for issuing or exchanging an expired passport should be confirmed with the consulate.

There are reports of significant waiting times for Romanian passport applications at the consulate in Chisinau, with queues extending to mid-2027. It is advisable to verify current timelines directly with the consulate.

Explain the procedure for a minor, residing in Moldova with a parent who has Moldovan residency ('propiska'), to obtain both an ID card ('buletin') and a passport. Specify if these can be processed concurrently.

It is generally not possible to replace an expired or soon-to-expire Russian foreign passport at the Russian Embassy or Consulate in Chisinau, Moldova. Passport services are typically handled within Russia. You may need to return to Russia to renew your passport or explore options for emergency travel documents if absolutely necessary.

The renewal of Ukrainian passports at the Consulate of Ukraine in Chisinau involves delivery from Kyiv. If a message confirms the passport is ready, it can take several weeks for delivery, with dispatch from Ukraine occurring on specific dates (e.g., monthly).

The Moldovan ID card (Buletin) is the primary identification document. To obtain a Moldovan international passport, the ID card must typically be acquired first. However, Moldovan citizens abroad may be able to obtain an international passport from consulates without first obtaining the ID card. The ID card itself can serve as a travel document for certain countries.

A Moldovan internal passport for a 16-year-old can be processed starting from 1 working day. Both the internal ID and the international passport can be obtained by the next day, with expedited processing available at an additional cost.