Advocacy for Legal Status for Refugees from Ukraine in Moldova

sector

Protection

Advocacy

period

Since 2022

NONE

cost

N/A

Advocacy for Legal Status for Refugees from Ukraine in Moldova

About

The implementation of Temporary Protection Status (TP) for Ukrainian refugees marked a major shift in Moldova’s approach to refugee protection, introducing a legal mechanism that had never been applied before in the country. This development became necessary following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which led to a large influx of displaced persons into Moldova. From the earliest stages of the crisis, the National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova (NCUM), in coordination with UN agencies, international organizations, the diplomatic corps, and other national NGOs, advocated for the creation and operationalization of a Temporary Protection mechanism tailored to the needs of Ukrainian refugees.

NCUM raised the issue of TP during the first consultations with President Maia Sandu in 2022 and played an active role in policy dialogue with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the General Inspectorate for Migration, and through the Refugee Coordination Forum (RCF). These efforts contributed to the government’s decision to approve and formalize the Temporary Protection mechanism in January 2023, enabling eligible individuals to gain legal status, access services, and exercise basic rights during their stay in Moldova.

Following the approval of TP, NCUM was requested by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and UNHCR to lead a national information campaign aimed at raising awareness among refugees about their rights and the procedures involved in obtaining protection. Working in close collaboration with national civil society organizations, NCUM organized and participated in over 19 advocacy and consultation meetings both nationally and internationally. These meetings helped identify practical and legal barriers to accessing TP and offered a platform for proposing legal and procedural reforms.

Key areas of advocacy included simplifying the documentation requirements—particularly proof of residence—removing or adjusting the initial 45-day application window, and ensuring that TP holders could access healthcare, education, and the labor market on an equal footing with Moldovan residents. These proposals were communicated through formal channels and working groups involving national authorities and international actors.

As a result of sustained, coordinated advocacy and engagement, the number of Ukrainian refugees granted Temporary Protection rose dramatically—from just 146 in March 2023 to over 60,611 by October 2024, according to data from the General Inspectorate for Migration.

NCUM’s advocacy on the legal status of Ukrainian refugees continues beyond the initial establishment of Temporary Protection. In 2025 and 2026, NCUM continues to engage in policy dialogue and relevant working groups, advocating for predictable and sustainable legal status solutions, including accessible pathways to residence permits and simplified procedures for refugees transitioning from Temporary Protection.

In 2026, NCUM also continues its information and awareness-raising work on legal status and available protection pathways through an information campaign supported by UNHCR. This work complements NCUM’s ongoing engagement with national authorities and humanitarian partners to ensure that refugees have access to clear information and that transition arrangements are predictable, accessible and inclusive.

As Temporary Protection was initially designed as an emergency measure, ensuring clarity around longer-term legal status has become increasingly important. Predictable rules and clear pathways to more sustainable forms of residence can support refugees in making longer-term decisions related to employment, entrepreneurship, skills development and integration in Moldova. For further details on the transition from Temporary Protection in Moldova, see the UNHCR Protection Brief, Ukraine Situation - Moldova: Transitioning from TP in the Republic of Moldova.

According to the General Inspectorate for Migration, as of 21 September 2026, 59,123 people are under Temporary Protection in the Republic of Moldova.

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KEy achievements

Stories

Meet Hanna - one of the first beneficiaries of temporary protection in Moldova

Hanna, originally from Dnipro, came to Moldova in 2022 together with her 10-year-old son after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Deciding to remain in Moldova, Hanna was looking for a long-term legal basis to stay in the country, secure employment, and continue her education. When the Temporary Protection mechanism was introduced, Hanna—like many other refugees from Ukraine—faced legal barriers in accessing it. She turned to NCUM, where legal assistance and advocacy efforts were being conducted to ensure access to Temporary Protection Status for all Ukrainians. Following consultations and case management support, Hanna received her Temporary Protection Status and became one of the first beneficiaries granted Temporary Protection in March 2023. Today, Hana supports other Ukrainian refugees and members of the host community in their integration process and access to employment. She is currently studying psychology at the State Pedagogical University named after I. Creanga, while her son is enrolled in a local school. "Thanks to the help of the specialists, I received temporary protection and an opportunity to build my life in Moldova," – says Hanna.

LINK

Congress of Ukrainians in Moldova asks to grant temporary protection status to refugees

The Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova is asking to introduce a mechanism for granting temporary protection status to Ukrainian refugees. This was stated by the program coordinator of the organization Kyrylo Prykhodko during the Day of Ukrainian Culture in Chisinau. This was reported by a Glavkom correspondent.

The head of state met with representatives of the Ukrainian community of Moldova

Moldovan President Maia Sandu today held a meeting with representatives of several organizations of the Ukrainian community in Moldova. The discussion focused on the problems faced by the Ukrainian minority in Moldova, as well as on the new challenges posed by the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

Director of the Refugee Assistance Center: Ukrainians in Moldova sleep with their passports under their pillows.

One of the refugee assistance centers was established by the National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova in partnership with other charitable organizations.

Refugees will be helped to apply for temporary protection in Moldova

The ROBOTA project opens a new direction - assistance in issuing temporary protection, residence permit or refugee status for migrants from Ukraine. The service is absolutely free of charge. Obtaining legal status in Moldova is critical for Ukrainian migrants who have decided to stay in the country. Without legalization, Ukrainians will be able to stay in Moldova only as tourists - that is, for no more than 90 days and without access to employment and education. A detailed study of the barriers to obtaining temporary protection status was recently conducted by the National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova

Fleeing from the war to Moldova. What difficulties Ukrainian refugees face in our country

In August, some refugees may be left without social protection The temporary protection status for Ukrainian migrants was conceived to facilitate their stay in Moldova, but the way this idea is implemented raises some concerns. For example, on May 10, 2023, the Commission for Emergency Situations decided to limit the stay of refugees from Ukraine without temporary protection status or other rights of residence on the territory of Moldova to 90 days in 180 days from May 15, 2023. This decision caused apprehension among the majority of refugees who, for various reasons, had not yet had time to apply for temporary protection.

What is needed for integration of migrants? Answered by the Program Coordinator of the Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova

Legal status and creation of conditions for socio-economic stability remain the key aspects of integration of Ukrainian migrants. This was stated by the program coordinator of the National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova (NCUM), Iryna Basiul. According to her, today many organizations are moving from the phase of rapid response to the crisis, which included covering the basic needs and requirements of the displaced persons, to the implementation of programs aimed at strengthening the lives of refugees in their countries of residence.

GAllery

RO

GAllery

TEAM

The NCUM Council ensures collegial decision-making and strategic leadership, as well as oversight and support for the organization's activities.

Administrator

Dmitri Lecartev

The National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova is a nongovernmental, nonprofit civil society organisation that represents Moldova’s Ukrainian community, ensures their rights protection, and facilitates their social and economic inclusion into Moldovan society.