The Republic of Moldova work. Employed applicants are automatically enrolled in the compulsory medical insurance system and social protection system. The Moldovan Law takes particular consideration of the special protection concerns of unaccompanied children and persons with mental disabilities, both of whom are to be represented by a legal guardian. At the conclusion of the interview, an interview note will be signed by the applicant and the examiner, indicating whether an interpreter or a guardian took part in the interview. Whilst the application is being processed, the applicant may submit additional evidence to substantiate their claim for statelessness (Article 87(1)). The examiner renders a decision based on all available evidence within a period of six months from the date an application is registered. This deadline can be extended by successive periods of one month, but must not exceed a total of an additional six months. In practice, the burden of proof to establish statelessness is shared. Applicants are obliged to cooperate fully with the authorities by submitting all available evidence regarding their status and presenting themselves to the authorities for as many interviews as may be required. The examiner is obliged to collect additional information regarding an applicant’s case, including through contacts with foreign authorities or with Moldovan embassies and consulates abroad. In particular, the competent authority for foreigners is to undertake the necessary steps to collect information from the applicant’s place of birth, place of residence or former domicile, and request information from the foreign State of which the applicant’s family members are nationals. The legislation does not establish a standard of proof for the SDP but in practice the standard is the same as for asylum procedures, that is, when statelessness is established to a ‘reasonable degree’. A person is considered stateless unless and until evidence is received confirming that they are a citizen of a country. If there is no reply from the foreign authorities to a request for information from the Moldovan authorities, this is interpreted as meaning that the applicant is not considered a national by that State. If information is received confirming nationality after statelessness status is granted, the Moldovan Law allows for the cancellation of statelessness status. A decision recognizing or rejecting an application for statelessness status must be communicated to the concerned individual within three working days after the decision 36 U N H C R > G P P AC T I O N 6 : E S TA B L I S H I N G S TAT E L E S S N E S S D E T E R M I N AT I O N P R O C E D U R E S

Select target paragraph3