Moldova: Information on the residence permit system
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MDA12180 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Moldova: Information on the residence permit system, 1 November 1992, MDA12180, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abc24c.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in Munich and a representative from Helsinki Watch in New York, a residence permit system exists formally in Moldova (25 Nov. 1992; 5 Nov. 1992).
The correspondent for RFE/RL states that the residence permit or propiska takes the form of a stamp applied in the individual's identification card, which in Russian is referred to as pasport, meaning internal identity card (25 Nov. 1992). The stamp specifies the address of the holder (Ibid.). The same source states that the pasport is not a travel document (Ibid.). When moving to a new address, an individual must register with the police to have the stamp changed to reflect the new address (Ibid.). A propiska will be issued only if the individual has found a new place to live (Ibid.). The correspondent added that moving from one residence to another is not legally restricted but obtaining the propiska depends on the ability of the individual to find housing (Ibid.).
The correspondent for (RFE/RL) states that the "enforcement of the law in Moldova is not very strict and is rather unpredictable" (25 Nov. 1992). He added that enforcement of the law depends on the local authority and on the individual's ability to bribe authorities (Ibid.). A representative from Helsinki Watch states that, in principle, the law is enforced but in practice it depends on whether the authority concerned considers it appropriate (5 Nov. 1992).
Additional and/or corroborative information could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB.
References
Correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Munich. 25 November 1992. Telephone Interview.
Spokesperson from Helsinki Watch, New York. 5 November 1992. Telephone Interview.
