Moldova visa photos: what the MFAEI actually requires
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) sets the photo standard for every Moldovan visa category, from Type A airport transit through Type D long-stay. The published rule is short and absolute: a recent, matte, colour photograph measuring 35 by 45 millimetres. The same image standard is applied whether the applicant uploads to the e-Visa portal or submits a physical print at a consulate.
Moldova runs its own consular intake. There is no VFS Global, BLS, or TLScontact layer handling Moldovan visas, so applicants either upload through evisa.gov.md (Types B and C only) or apply directly to a Moldovan embassy for Types A and D. Embassies expect a self-supplied print on matte photo paper, and the matte finish is one of the few attributes the MFAEI calls out by name, with the Moldovan term mat appearing in the official requirements.
Consular officers reject photos that do not meet the published format. A glossy print, a stale image older than six months, or a digital upload that fails the portal checks will send the application back before it reaches review, which adds weeks to processing and may require a fresh appointment slot.
What Moldova requires in your visa photo
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration publishes only the essentials, but consular officers enforce the wider ICAO-aligned standard. Your appearance in the photo must meet the rules below.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionKeep a relaxed, neutral expression with the mouth closed. Teeth must not be visible and smiles are not accepted.
- Face the cameraSquare your shoulders and face the camera straight on. No tilt, turn, or rotation of the head is permitted.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be fully open with pupils clearly visible. Hair must not fall across the eyes.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesGlasses are not permitted in Moldovan visa photos. Remove them before the photo is taken.
- Sunglasses and tinted lensesSunglasses, tinted lenses, and any coloured eyewear are prohibited without exception.
Hair & forehead
- Face outline visibleBoth edges of the face must be visible. Hair cannot cover the eyes or obscure the outline of the face.
- Forehead and bangsBangs or fringes that hide the forehead are not accepted. Style the hair so the forehead is exposed.
Headwear
- No hats or capsHeadwear is not permitted. The face must be fully visible from the chin to the top of the forehead.
- Religious head coveringsHead coverings worn daily for religious reasons are accepted, provided the full face from chin to forehead and both edges remain visible and the covering casts no shadow on the face.
Jewelry & accessories
- Face not obscuredEarrings, necklaces, and other jewellery are permitted only if they do not cover or cast shadows on any part of the face.
- Headphones and earpiecesHeadphones, earbuds, and hands-free devices must be removed before the photo is taken.
Cosmetics
- Natural appearanceMakeup should be light and natural. Heavy cosmetics that alter the appearance of facial features are not accepted.
Clothing
- Everyday clothesWear regular street clothing. Uniforms and camouflage patterns are not accepted.
- Contrast with backgroundChoose a top that contrasts with a light background so the outline of the head and shoulders is clearly visible.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 33 mm and 36 mm (roughly 73–81% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 21 mm and 25 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Both shoulders must be square to the camera and visible. Three-quarter angles or rotated torsos are not accepted.
- The full face from chin to crown must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
How recent the photo must be.
Your visa photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Other things to know.
A few procedural points specific to Moldova are worth noting.
Matte finish required
MFAEI explicitly requires a matte ("mat") colour print for embassy submissions. Glossy prints may be rejected at the counter, so request matte paper when printing.
No VFS or third-party VAC
Moldova does not contract VFS Global, BLS, or TLScontact for inbound visas. Applications go directly to a Moldovan embassy or consulate, or through the official e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.md.
E-visa scope is limited
The evisa.gov.md portal accepts only short-stay categories (Types B and C). Airport transit (Type A) and long-stay (Type D) applications must be filed at an embassy with a physical 35x45 mm matte print.
Six-month recency rule
The photo must be recent, interpreted by Moldovan consular practice as taken within the last six months. Submit a fresh photo if your appearance has changed significantly since your last one.
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Print-quality requirements for in-person submissions.
When you submit a printed photo at a visa application centre, the paper, finish, and ink all matter. The points below cover the standards most consular missions accept.
- Print on photographic-quality paper at 300 DPI minimum.
- Use a matte or semi-gloss finish; high-gloss can produce reflections that confuse biometric scanners.
- Do not retouch, crop, or alter the photo after printing.
- Bring at least two identical prints when the submission channel calls for paper photos.