IT Visa Program
Applicable legal framework
The IT Visa program is regulated by:
The IT Visa is a program designed for resident companies of the Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP), created to support the employment of foreign IT professionals. It facilitates legal entry into the Republic of Moldova and integration into the labour market through a simplified and clearly regulated mechanism. Under the current legal provisions, the program applies to the following categories:
- IT Specialists – foreigners who possess special competencies essential for the development and production of technologies, techniques, processes, procedures, or management in the field of information technology and who carry out activities provided under Article 8 of Law no. 77/2016 on information technology parks.
- Management Personnel – foreigners who are responsible for the permanent or temporary management of a legal entity that is a resident of an information technology park, holding the position of administrator, member of the management committee, general director, or director and being registered in the public register, as well as founders/shareholders and members of the company’s board who are employed by the legal entity resident of the IT park and hold managerial positions therein.
Procedural steps for obtaining the IT Visa
- Preparation of the set of documents required under the Law on the regime of foreigners (see sections 3 and 4).
- Submission of the application file to the administration of the Moldova Innovation Technology Park, by email at itviza@mitp.md, to the Commission for examination and evaluation of applications submitted by legal entities carrying out activities in the field of information technology (established starting September 2025).
- Issuance of the statement by the IT Park administration (MITP) and transmission of the opinion to the applicant and to the competent authority – the General Inspectorate for Migration (GIM).
- Submission of the application file to the competent authority (GIM).
- Assessment of the application by the competent authority.
- Decision on granting the right of residence.
- Issuance of the residence permit.
Mandatory documents when submitting the request to the Commission for examination and evaluation (MITP)
- Standard application letter;
- Scanned copy of the foreign citizen’s identity document;
- Scanned copies of documents confirming the qualification and/or certification of IT specialists (diplomas, certificates, recommendation letters, results of knowledge assessment, etc.);
- Scanned copy of the extract from the State Register of Legal Entities, as well as a copy of the individual employment contract or draft contract (in the case of founders/shareholders and members of the company’s board who are employed by an applicant beneficiary carrying out activities in the field of information technology and who hold managerial positions therein);
- Power of attorney/authorization of representation, where/if applicable.
Mandatory documents when submitting the residence application to the competent authority (GIM)
For persons holding managerial positions (Article 4312para. (1)):
- Standard application letter;
- Statement of the IT Park administration issued by the Commission for examination and evaluation of applications submitted by legal entities carrying out activities in the field of information technology;
- Copy of the foreigner’s individual employment contract indicating duties and monthly remuneration, which must not be lower than the forecasted national average monthly salary for the management year. The administrator, according to the incorporation documents, may submit a management contract or mandate contract;
- Copy of the identification page of the foreigner’s national passport;
- Document confirming ownership/right of use of accommodation in the Republic of Moldova;
- Criminal record certificate issued abroad (translated and legalized/apostilled);
- Photo 3x4 cm.
For IT specialists (Article 4312 para. (4)):
- Standard application letter;
- Statement of the IT Park administration issued by the Commission for examination and evaluation of applications submitted by legal entities carrying out activities in the field of information technology;
- Copy of the foreigner’s individual employment contract indicating the monthly salary, which must not be lower than the forecasted national average monthly salary for the management year;
- Copy of the identification page of the foreigner’s national passport;
- Document confirming ownership/right of use of accommodation;
- Criminal record certificate (translated and legalized/apostilled);
- Photo 3x4 cm.
Duration of the granted right of residence
- Persons holding managerial positions: up to 4 years, with the possibility of extension for an additional 4 years (Article 4312 para. (2)).
- IT specialists: up to 2 years, with the possibility of extension for an additional 2 years (Article 4312 para. (5)).
Applicable fees and costs
The statement of the IT Park administration issued by the Commission for examination and evaluation of applications submitted by legal entities carrying out activities in the field of information technology is issued free of charge.
The Law on state fees no. 213 of 31.07.2023 establishes the standard fees charged by the General Inspectorate for Migration for processing temporary residence applications. Amounts are updated periodically and may vary depending on the examination timeframe (standard or expedited). Typically, costs include:
- Fee for examining the residence application;
- Fee for issuing the residence permit;
- Possible costs for translation, legalization, and apostille of documents;
- Mandatory health insurance (variable cost depending on the provider).
Eligibility criteria
Persons holding managerial positions:
- Position as administrator, director, board member, etc.;
- The employing company must be a legal entity resident of the IT Park;
- Guaranteed salary not lower than the forecasted national average monthly salary for the management year;
- Clean criminal record;
- Proof of accommodation in the Republic of Moldova.
IT specialists:
- Carry out activities provided under Article 8 of Law no. 77/2016;
- Possess special competencies and qualifications in the IT field;
- Guaranteed monthly salary not lower than the forecasted national average monthly salary for the management year;
- Clean criminal record;
- Proof of accommodation in the Republic of Moldova.
Extension procedure of the IT Visa and required conditions
Persons holding managerial positions shall submit the set of documents to the competent authority (GIM) before the expiry of the temporary residence right (Article 4312 para. (3)):
- Standard application letter;
- Copy of the individual employment contract/management contract/mandate contract of the foreigner indicating duties and monthly salary, which must not be lower than the forecasted national average monthly salary for the management year;
- Copy of the identification page of the foreigner’s national passport;
- Document confirming ownership/right of use of accommodation in the Republic of Moldova;
- Photo 3x4 cm.
IT specialists shall submit the set of documents to the competent authority (GIM) before the expiry of the temporary residence right (Article 4312para. (6)):
- Standard application letter;
- Copy of the foreigner’s individual employment contract indicating the monthly salary, which must not be lower than the forecasted national average monthly salary for the management year;
- Copy of the identification page of the foreigner’s national passport;
- Document confirming accommodation;
- Photo 3x4 cm.
Beneficiary obligations after obtaining the IT Visa
Based on the cited legislation and the general legal framework applicable to foreigners, the beneficiary is obliged to:
- Maintain the validity of the employment contract on the basis of which residence was granted;
- Maintain the minimum salary level provided by the special law;
- Compliance with tax legislation if the beneficiary earns income in the Republic of Moldova;
- Notify the GIM in case of changes to relevant data (employer, address, position);
- Other obligations provided by law.
Family members: granting and extension of temporary residence for family reunification
The Law on the regime of foreigners, under Article 38, allows foreigners to apply for a right of residence for family members for the purpose of family reunification, provided that the applicant:
- holds a valid residence permit;
- demonstrates sufficient means of subsistence also for family members;
- submits supporting documents proving the family relationship and other documents required for this type of residence (Article 38 para. (2)), translated and apostilled.
The application is submitted personally by the foreigner holding the right of residence at the Single Desk for Documentation of Foreigners within the GIM. Family members receive permits whose validity may not exceed the validity period of the applicant’s permit. Documents must be submitted 30 calendar days before the expiry of the residence period. Failure to meet the submission deadline is subject to administrative sanction. The presence of both family members is mandatory.
The list of required documents can be found at the following link: https://igm.gov.md/en/imigration/provisional-stay/provisional-stay-for-family-reunification/
Right of temporary stay up to 90 days (without temporary residence) Article 4315
Foreign IT specialists may work in the Republic of Moldova for up to 90 days in any 6-month period, based on a notification submitted by the employer to the GIM.
Required documents (the beneficiary applicant shall submit the following documents at the single desk within 5 working days from the date of the foreign IT specialist’s entry into the country):
- Declaration on the purpose and duration of stay in the country;
- Opinion/statement of the competent authority in the field of information technology;
- Copy of foreign passport;
- Copy of the service provision contract;
- Copy of the short-stay visa (if applicable);
- 2 photos (3x4 cm).
