New residence cards for foreigners in Moldova
Starting January 1, 2026, foreigners legally residing in the Republic of Moldova, stateless persons, refugees, and beneficiaries of humanitarian protection start to receive the new identity document model within the national passport system of the Republic of Moldova - the Residence Card. The Government approved an amendment to Decision No. 522/2019 on models of identity documents within the national passport system.
This modern, secure document features advanced security elements like fingerprint data and a qualified electronic signature certificate, enabling secure authentication in government IT systems and access to digital public services.
Passport and travel document codes will be updated to align with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, facilitating recognition at borders.
The residence cards will be issued by the General Inspectorate for Migration and produced by the Public Services Agency.
Documents issued previously remain valid until their expiration, except where otherwise required by law.
These measures aim to enhance identity-document security, enable rapid, secure access to public and private electronic services, and reduce bureaucracy through the use of qualified electronic signatures.
The decision took effect on January 1, 2026, with the rollout of electronic signatures and fingerprint data completed by December 31, 2026, once technical conditions are met.