Travel Report for Moldova

Country Profile for
Moldova

TRAVEL REPORTS:

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TRAVEL REPORT

Last Updated: October 29, 2006 23:09 EST
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 21:52 EST

Moldova

1.	INTRODUCTION
2.	ATTENTION
3.	SAFETY AND SECURITY
4.	LOCAL TRAVEL
5.	NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
6.	LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
7.	ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
8.	ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
9.	MONEY

10.	GENERAL INFORMATION
11.	TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
12.	ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
13.	RETURNING TO CANADA
14.	INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
15.	TRAVEL TIPS
16.	HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
17.	FOR MORE INFORMATION
18.	ANNEX

1. INTRODUCTION

The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed. Section 7 of this Travel Report has been updated.

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2. ATTENTION

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the region(s) specified below. (IDW5)

You are advised against all travel to the northeastern Transnistria region. The security situation is unstable and unpredictable, and the region is not under government control. There are frequent checkpoints.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians who choose to travel to the region(s) specified despite this warning should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting other areas of the country for three months or more should also register. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 7 below).

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Violent crime can occur, particularly in Chisinau. Street crime, such as mugging, pickpocketing, and purse snatching, is prevalent. Organized crime is widespread. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure your personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure. Do not show signs of affluence. Theft on trains and from hotel rooms is common. Do not travel alone after dark. Demonstrations can occur and you should avoid them. Local police can be contacted at 902, and ambulance services at 903. However, most dispatchers only speak Moldovan (Romanian) or Russian.

Be careful when using ATMs. There have been cases of PIN theft, and some travellers have reported unauthorized withdrawals from their accounts after using ATMs.

Internet fraud, ranging from product purchases to Internet romances, are on the rise in

Moldova

. You should be cautious of these and other Internet scams.

Incidents of police requesting a bribe have been reported. You should report any such incident to the Embassy of Canada in Bucharest (see below).

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4. LOCAL TRAVEL

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 starting 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 the trains and buses.

Residents must possess a Moldovan driver's licence in order to drive. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is accepted for stays up to 90 days. The IDP is an internationally recognized document that, when accompanied by a valid Canadian (i.e., provincial) driver's licence, allows you to drive in over 160 countries without a specific test. Its purpose is to overcome difficulties that you may have while travelling in other countries with widely varying licence requirements. It is printed in the six United Nations official languages (Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese), plus German, Italian, the Scandinavian languages, and Portuguese. The IDP can also be a useful form of picture identification in case of a lost or stolen passport. An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is the sole issuer of the IDP in

Canada

.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

There is a relatively high risk of flooding and landslides.

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6. LOCAL 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 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

The penalty for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs may result in lengthy jail sentences and heavy fines.

Always carry identity 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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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

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.: 40 (21) 307-5000
Fax: 40 (21) 307-5010
E-mail: bucst@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.bucharest.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 Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Moldovan authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on January 9, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries 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 country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

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. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa.

Tourist visas can now be issued upon arrival for stays of up to three months to Canadians holding a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Canadians can obtain a single-entry visa at the Chisinau airport and at some major road crossings with

Romania

. However, you are strongly advised to obtain a visa from the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova prior to leaving

Canada

.

A letter of invitation from a private individual or an organization is required to obtain either a six-month or 12-month visa. The invitation letter on behalf of an organization must be authorized by the Department of Migration of the Republic of Moldova before being submitted to the Embassy.

Foreigners staying for more than three days must register at a local office of the Department of Information Technologies (country and area codes: 373-2/ tel.: 22-91-23/ e-mail: dti@registru.md). Hotels will usually register their guests automatically. However, registration remains the responsibility of the traveller. Those who fail to do so may be required to appear in court and pay a fine.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
________________________________________________________________

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, 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 may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries 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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9. MONEY

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

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs 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. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Republic of Moldova (capital: Chisinau) is located in southeastern Europe, bordered by

Ukraine

and

Romania

. The official language is Moldovan (Romanian). Russian is widely spoken. Tourist facilities are not well developed. Electrical blackouts are common.

Local telephone service is generally good, but calling to or from small towns may be difficult. Public telephones use magnetic cards, sold at hotels and kiosks, for local and international calls.

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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

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 Medicine Program 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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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical care is limited. 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.

Consumption of untreated water greatly increases your chance of illness. Do not drink tap water. You should drink only bottled water.

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

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, 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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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. 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.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

N/A

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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