This article analyses the link between irregular migration and duration of stay, using household and regional development data from Moldova by running a duration model. Our principal result is that the total duration of migration to a foreign country is the same for regular and irregular migrants. On the other hand the duration of each migration episode is statistically longer for irregular migrants. This means that irregular migrants move less. In addition the duration of migration is mainly determined by individual and household characteristics, and by migration monetary costs. The article, like an increasing number of migration literature papers arriving at the same conclusions, contributes further to the argument for defining more effective and coherent migration policies.