Moldova sees surge in foreign workers and record foreign student numbers

In the first half of 2026, Moldova more than doubled the number of temporary residence permits for work, issuing over 5,600 permits, about 3,900 of which were for employment. The majority of foreign workers come from Asian countries, led by Nepal (1,311 workers), Bangladesh (959), Uzbekistan (593), India (248), Sri Lanka (148) and Tajikistan (117). Authorities attribute the rise to a growing labour‑shortage in construction, light industry, agriculture, hospitality and delivery services.

At the same time, the 2025‑2026 academic year recorded a historic high of 6,423 foreign students in Moldovan universities, roughly one in ten students overall, according to economic policy expert Veaceslav Ioniță. This represents an increase of 667 students compared with the previous year, reflecting Moldova’s growing appeal as a study destination for international students.