CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Moldova

1. RECENT UPDATES

The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed.

The information on H1N1 has been moved to Section 7.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Moldova

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Canadians should exercise a high degree of caution. They should not show signs of affluence and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times.

Regional Warning

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to Transdniestria, a region in the northeast of Moldova. The security situation is unstable and unpredictable, and the region is not under government control. There are frequent checkpoints. As there is no Canadian Government Office in Moldova, Canadian officials may not be in a position to provide consular assistance to Canadians in this region.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Travellers are responsible for their own personal safety. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely advice in its Travel Reports. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. Situations vary from one location to another, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries or regions where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high.

Crime

Violent crime can occur, particularly in Chisinau. On October 14, 2009, a grenade explosion occurred in Chisinau at an outdoor concert injuring 40 people. Street crime, such as mugging, pickpocketing, and purse snatching occurs. Theft on trains and from hotel rooms is common. Do not travel alone after dark.

Organized crime is widespread.

Fraud

Be careful when using automated banking machines (ABMs). There have been cases of PIN theft, and some travellers have reported unauthorized withdrawals from their accounts after using ABMs.

Internet fraud, ranging from product purchases to Internet romances has increased. You should be cautious of these and other Internet scams.

Incidents of police requesting a bribe have been reported. Report any such incident to the Embassy of Canada in Bucharest, Romania.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations can occur and should be avoided as they might turn violent without warning.

General safety information

In case of emergency, dial 902 for police and 903 for an ambulance. Most dispatchers only speak Moldovan (Romanian) or Russian.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Moldovan authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova, based in Washington, D.C. (U.S.A.), for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Moldova. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry into the country.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 90 days within a 6-month period)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 90 days within a 6-month period)
Student Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 90 days within a 6-month period)

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

There is no resident Canadian Government Office in Moldova. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Romania - BUCHAREST, Embassy of Canada
Address: 1-3 Tuberozelor Street, 011411 Bucharest, Sector 1, Romania
Postal Address: P.O. Box 270, Post Office No. 2, Bucharest, Romania,
Tel.: (4) 021-307-5000
Fax: (4) 021-307-5010
E-Mail: bucst@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Romania.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Bucharest and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical care is limited and below Western standards. You should carry a sufficient supply of medications, as shortages of basic medical supplies at hospitals and clinics are common. A wide range of medication is available on the local market. However, poor-quality and fraudulent medications have been reported.

Only drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes. Unpasteurised dairy products and undercooked or raw meat should be avoided.

Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in wooded areas from spring to autumn. If you plan to visit forested areas, you should seek advice regarding inoculations before leaving Canada.

Rabies vaccination is recommended, as there are numerous stray dogs throughout Chisinau.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Moldovan authorities practice zero tolerance with respect to possession, use and trafficking of illegal drugs. The penalty for such offences may result in lengthy jail sentences and heavy fines.

You should always carry identification documents with you as police are entitled to request them at any time.

Homosexual activity is legal but is not widely accepted in Moldovan society.

Photography of military installations or government buildings may result in a penalty. Travellers should seek permission from local authorities before taking photographs.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Roads are poorly maintained and are rarely lit. Driving after dusk should be avoided. Accidents are common and often involve drunk drivers. Both drivers and pedestrians should exercise caution to avoid accidents. Be aware of farm vehicles and livestock on the roads.

Arrange to be met at the airport or use officially marked taxis. Do not share taxis with strangers. Travellers have been robbed by individuals posing as taxi drivers. Establish a price before the journey in order to avoid excessive fees. Train and bus service are below Western standards. Trains are often unheated and prone to cancellation. Some travellers have reported thefts on trains and buses.

Residents must have a Moldovan driver's license in order to drive. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is accepted for stays up to 90 days.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the Moldovan leu (MDL). The economy is primarily cash-based. U.S. dollars are accepted. Traveller's cheques and credit cards are becoming increasingly accepted. There are ABMs in Chisinau that provide local currency.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

There is a relatively high risk of flooding and landslides.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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