Residence Permit for Parents of Moldovan Citizens or Residents: When It Is Possible and What Must Be Proven

Many Moldovan residents and citizens who have obtained legal status in the country eventually ask the same question: is it possible to get a residence permit in Moldova for their parents? This is especially relevant when parents are elderly, need assistance, or are effectively dependent on their children living in the country.

In practice, the main disappointment is this: the mere fact of being related to a Moldovan citizen or resident does not automatically grant parents the right to a residence permit. Migration authorities review such applications strictly on an individual basis and require proof of specific circumstances—not just the family relationship.

In this article, we will cover in detail:

  • when a residence permit for parents in Moldova is genuinely possible,
  • which conditions are considered key,
  • what exactly must be proven and with which documents,
  • and when refusal is almost guaranteed, even if the child has citizenship or a residence permit.

This material is useful for those considering a lawful, long-term relocation of parents to Moldova, rather than a temporary stay or a formal «family reunification» without real grounds.

Can parents obtain a residence permit in Moldova: the short answer

In short: yes, but only if there are additional grounds.
Neither the child’s citizenship nor the child’s residence permit in Moldova, by itself, gives parents an automatic right to a residence permit.

Moldovan migration authorities treat such applications not as a standard family reunification procedure, but as an exception that must be justified by a specific real-life situation.

When a residence permit for parents may be granted

A residence permit may be issued if all of the following conditions are met at the same time:

  • the parent is genuinely dependent on the child living in Moldova;
  • this dependence is supported by documents (age, health, finances);
  • the child has a stable legal status, income, and housing in Moldova;
  • there are no viable alternative ways to provide care or financial support for the parent in another country.

When family ties alone are not enough

As a rule, a residence permit is not granted if:

  • the parent is of working age and financially independent;
  • the parent has family or support in their country of residence;
  • there are no medical or social grounds for relocation;
  • the application is filed “based on formal kinship” without a real necessity.

⚠️ Important: in migration practice, the key factor is not the family relationship itself, but the proven necessity of living together specifically in Moldova.

When a residence permit for parents is genuinely possible

Although obtaining a residence permit for parents is not among the standard immigration grounds, Moldovan law and practice allow such cases when exceptional circumstances exist. The child’s status and the degree of the parent’s dependence are critical.

If the child is a Moldovan citizen

The child’s citizenship increases the chances, but does not create an automatic right to a residence permit for parents.

Migration authorities assess:

  • whether the parent needs ongoing care or support;
  • whether such care can be arranged in another country without relocating to Moldova;
  • whether the parent has alternative sources of assistance (other children, a spouse, social support).

In practice, a residence permit is more often considered when:

  • the parent is elderly;
  • there are chronic illnesses or health limitations;
  • the child effectively acts as the primary caregiver.

If the child is a Moldovan resident (holds a residence permit)

In this case, the requirements are stricter and the likelihood of approval is lower.

Additionally, authorities may check:

  • the type of residence permit the child holds (temporary or long-term);
  • the length of stay in Moldova;
  • income and employment stability;
  • the absence of migration-related risks.

It is important to understand:

migration authorities assess whether the resident can realistically assume long-term responsibility for supporting the parent without creating a social burden for the state.

The general principle applied in practice

Regardless of the child’s status, the decision logic is always the same:

a residence permit is only possible when living together in Moldova is objectively necessary, not merely convenient.

The key condition: need for care or financial dependence

When reviewing applications for a residence permit for parents, migration authorities in Moldova rely on one basic principle:
the parent must be objectively dependent on the child living in the country.

This is not about moral or family support, but about a provable necessity—medical, physical, or financial.

What “dependence” means in migration terms

In migration practice, dependence is a situation in which the parent:

  • cannot support themselves independently;
  • cannot live without regular assistance from a third party;
  • has no realistic alternative for care or support in their country of residence.

It is important to understand:

voluntary help to parents or the desire to live closer to family is not considered sufficient grounds for a residence permit.

How dependence is typically recognized

In practice, migration authorities most often consider the following situations:

  • Age-related dependence
    Old age alone does not guarantee approval, but combined with a lack of support or declining health, it becomes a strong argument.

  • Medical dependence
    Chronic conditions, disability, the need for ongoing care, supervision, or day-to-day assistance.

  • Financial dependence
    Lack of income, a minimal pension, and the inability to pay independently for housing, treatment, or basic needs.

What is not considered sufficient grounds

Common applicant mistakes include:

  • the parent is healthy and of working age;
  • the parent receives stable income or a pension;
  • the parent has other children or close relatives who can provide care;
  • there is no medical evidence.

In such cases, migration authorities conclude that relocation to Moldova is not a necessity, but only a matter of convenience.

What exactly must be proven and with which documents

When applying for a residence permit for parents in Moldova, migration authorities assess two sides at the same time:

  1. the parent’s situation,
  2. the child’s capacity and circumstances in Moldova.

It is not enough to prepare documents from only one side—the file must be logically consistent and mutually reinforcing.

Documents from the parent

The main task is to prove that the parent cannot live independently without the child’s support.

Typically requested and taken into account:

  • Documents confirming age
    Passport, birth certificate (to confirm family relationship).

  • Medical documents
    Certificates confirming chronic conditions, disability, limitations in self-care, and the need for ongoing care or supervision.

  • Financial documents
    Proof of pension, income, or lack of income, and evidence that funds are insufficient for independent living.

  • Family status documents
    Confirmation that there is no spouse or other person able to provide care.

⚠️ Important: medical and financial documents should not merely exist—they must explain why the parent cannot live independently.

Documents from the child

From the child’s side, it is necessary to confirm a real ability to assume responsibility for the parent.

As a rule, the following are checked:

  • Legal status in Moldova
    Citizenship or a valid residence permit.

  • Proof of income
    Employment contract, salary certificates, tax declarations, or other sources of income.

  • Housing availability
    Ownership documents or a rental agreement allowing co-residence.

  • Written commitment to support
    A statement confirming financial and day-to-day support for the parent.

Why a “formal” set of documents does not work

A common mistake is submitting a complete but internally disconnected set of documents.

Migration authorities look not at the number of certificates, but at the logic:

  • why the parent needs support;
  • why this particular child must provide it;
  • why this cannot realistically be arranged in another country.

If this logic is not clearly built, refusal follows—even with “ideal” documents.

When residence permits for parents are most often refused

Even when a family relationship with a Moldovan citizen or resident exists, migration authorities often issue refusals. The reason is almost always the same: there is no proven necessity for the parent to live specifically in Moldova.

Below are the most common grounds for refusal.

The parent is of working age and does not need care

If the parent:

  • has not reached an advanced age,
  • has no serious medical limitations,
  • is capable of self-care,

migration authorities conclude that there is no objective dependence on the child, even if the parent in fact receives help.

The parent has income or support in another country

Refusal is likely if:

  • the parent receives a sufficient pension or income;
  • they have a spouse, other children, or close relatives;
  • care or support can be provided without relocating to Moldova.

In such cases, relocation is seen as a matter of convenience, not necessity.

A formal file without a clear rationale

One of the most frequent reasons for refusal is when the documents:

  • are formally correct,
  • but do not explain why living together is unavoidable.

Migration authorities assess the situation as a whole, not just a checklist of papers.

Insufficient capacity on the child’s side

Even if the parent truly needs support, refusal is possible if the child:

  • has unstable income;
  • has only recently obtained a residence permit;
  • cannot confirm housing;
  • is in a vulnerable migration status themselves.

In this case, the state considers the risk of a social burden.

Trying to replace other grounds with “reunification”

Applicants often try to obtain a residence permit for parents when, in reality, a different route would apply, such as:

  • a residence permit for medical treatment,
  • temporary stay,
  • or another type of authorization.

Migration authorities treat this as an incorrectly chosen ground.

Alternatives to a residence permit for parents in Moldova

In many cases, obtaining a residence permit specifically through dependence on the child is impossible or predictably risky. In such situations, it makes sense to consider alternative grounds that Moldovan migration authorities tend to evaluate more clearly.

Residence permit on medical grounds (treatment)

If the parent:

  • needs regular treatment,
  • undergoes long-term therapy,
  • requires monitoring by specialists,

a residence permit for treatment may be considered.

Advantages:

  • there is no need to prove financial dependence on the child;
  • the focus shifts to medical documentation;
  • the logic of this ground is often clearer for migration authorities.

Limitations:

  • such permits are typically temporary;
  • it must be shown that the medical need exists specifically in Moldova.

Temporary stay instead of a residence permit

In some cases, obtaining a residence permit is not mandatory.

This option may fit if:

  • the parent is coming for a limited period;
  • care or assistance is temporary in nature;
  • there is no plan for long-term residence.

The advantage of this option is avoiding a complex migration procedure and reducing the risk of refusal.

Residence permit on other grounds (case-by-case)

Depending on the situation, the following may be considered:

  • a residence permit through investment;
  • other lawful grounds not connected to family ties;
  • combined strategies (for example, treatment → changing the ground later).

The choice depends on:

  • the parent’s age;
  • health condition;
  • the family’s financial capacity;
  • the intended length of stay.

Why choosing the right ground matters

Trying to obtain a residence permit for parents on an unsuitable ground often leads to:

  • refusal;
  • loss of time;
  • a negative migration record.

In practice, choosing the right ground increases the chances of legalization far more than formal family ties alone.

Practice: typical real-life scenarios

To better understand when a residence permit for parents is realistically possible and when refusal is almost guaranteed, let us look at typical situations most often faced by applicants in Moldova.

Scenario 1. Elderly mother, child is a Moldovan citizen

Initial situation:

  • mother aged 67–72;
  • minimal pension or no pension at all;
  • chronic medical conditions;
  • child is a Moldovan citizen with stable income and housing.

Chance assessment:
High, provided there is medical and financial evidence.

The key factor is the proven inability to live independently and the absence of alternative sources of support.

Scenario 2. Father aged 55–60, employed, child is a Moldovan resident

Initial situation:

  • working age;
  • stable income;
  • no medical limitations;
  • child holds a residence permit but not citizenship.

Chance assessment:
Low.

Even if the child provides actual assistance, migration authorities conclude that no dependency exists.

Scenario 3. Parent with a disability, but other children exist

Initial situation:

  • confirmed disability;
  • other children live in the parent’s country of residence;
  • one child is a Moldovan citizen or resident.

Chance assessment:
Medium, depending on the evidence.

It must be justified why the child in Moldova is the only realistic source of care, rather than other relatives.

Scenario 4. Parents want to “live closer to their children”

Initial situation:

  • parents are healthy;
  • financially independent;
  • motivation is family reunification and convenience.

Chance assessment:
???? Almost zero.

The desire to live together is not considered a migration ground.

Main conclusion from practice

Migration authorities assess not emotional arguments, but objective necessity:

if a parent’s situation can be resolved without relocation to Moldova, a residence permit is generally not granted.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to obtain a residence permit for both parents at the same time?

Yes, in theory it is possible, but each parent is assessed separately.
For example, if one parent is of working age and financially independent while the other requires care, the residence permit may be approved for only one of them.

Must the parent be a pensioner?

No, retirement age is not a formal requirement.
However, in practice, advanced age combined with:

  • deteriorating health,
  • lack of income,
  • need for care

significantly increases the chances of approval.

Can a residence permit be granted if the parent has no medical issues?

In most cases — no.
If the parent:

  • is healthy,
  • able to live independently,
  • has their own income,

Moldovan migration authorities consider that no objective dependency on the child exists.

Is it necessary to prove the child’s income?

Yes, it is mandatory.
The child must demonstrate:

  • a stable legal income;
  • the ability to support the parent without relying on social assistance;
  • adequate housing for joint residence.

Without this, the residence permit application is generally not considered.

Can the parent work under such a residence permit?

As a rule, no.
A residence permit for parents is granted not for employment purposes, but as a social/dependency-based status. Employment requires a separate authorization or a different type of residence permit.

For how long is a residence permit issued to parents?

The duration depends on:

  • the legal ground;
  • the parent’s condition;
  • the child’s status.

Most often, the residence permit:

  • is temporary;
  • requires regular renewal;
  • requires re-confirmation of the grounds.

What should be done if the residence permit is refused?

A refusal does not always mean that legalization is impossible. Possible next steps include:

  • reviewing the chosen ground;

  • strengthening the evidentiary basis;

  • choosing an alternative type of residence permit;

  • reapplying after addressing the reasons for refusal.

Conclusion: when a residence permit for parents in Moldova is a real option

Obtaining a residence permit for the parents of a Moldovan resident or citizen is not a standard family reunification procedure, but an individual migration decision that requires clear legal grounds and solid evidence.

Key takeaways:

  • family ties alone do not grant the right to a residence permit;
  • the decisive factor is proven dependency of the parent — medical, age-related, or financial;
  • not only the parent’s situation but also the child’s capacity is assessed;
  • in many cases, alternative grounds provide significantly higher chances than attempting to apply “through parents”.

That is why most refusals are not caused by formal errors, but by an incorrectly chosen application strategy.

What should be done before submitting documents

Before starting the procedure, it is important to:

  • objectively assess the parent’s situation;
  • determine which legal ground is truly applicable;
  • prepare documents so that they explain the logic behind the need for relocation, rather than merely confirm facts.

Practice shows: a preliminary assessment of chances and the correct choice of grounds save time and help avoid refusal at the very beginning.