There are the following types of visas for Bulgaria:
In general, all types of visas are issued by representation authorities of Bulgaria abroad. The issuing of a visa or a legitimate visa extension by national authorities or issuing a visa by some border inspection posts is only permitted in clearly defined exceptional cases.
Generally, aliens who do not leave the transit zone or the plane during a stop-over on an airfield are not subject to the visa requirement.
However, nationals of some countries require an A visa for passing through a Bulgarian airfield unless they are exempt. The visa requirements for each country can be found in the list of visa requirements. In general, visas may not be issued in Bulgaria. No matter what the reason, it is not possible to have a visa issued at the border.
2. Two Photos
3. Foreign Passport and Copy of the Main Page
4. Copy of Previous Visas
5. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Insurance
7. Proof of Professional Status
For example:
8. Means of Subsistence
9. If Applicable, Visa or Other Entry Permit for the Country of Destination
10. Tickets For Onward Journey (Unless Travelling by Own Means of Transport, E.g., Car)
11. For Minors:
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Bulgaria Transit visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Bulgaria Transit Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. A charge of 60 EUR is collected, and for children between 6 and 12 years of age, it is 35 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for a Bulgaria Transit visa in Bulgaria visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
Third-country nationals who plan to visit Bulgaria may be required to have a visa.
All third-country nationals who are holders of valid Schengen documents, as well as national visas and residence permits of Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania do not require an additional (Bulgarian) visa for Bulgaria.
There are the following types of Bulgaria short-term visas:
When an application for an airport transit visa or for a short-stay visa is submitted, a charge of 60 EUR is collected, and for children between 6 and 12 years of age, it is 35 EUR.
Bulgaria Tourist visa allows a limited period of leisure travel within a country, but no business activity.
2. Two Photos
3. Foreign Passport and Copy of the Main Page
4. Copy of Previous Visas
5. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Insurance
7. Proof of Professional Status
For example:
8. Means of Subsistence
9. Proof of Accommodation
10. Proof of Itinerary
11. Proof of Civil Status
12. For Minors:
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Bulgaria Tourist Visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Bulgaria Tourist Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. A charge of 60 EUR is collected, and for children between 6 and 12 years of age, it is 35 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for Bulgaria Tourist Visa in Bulgaria visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
Bulgaria Business visa is for those who would like to travel to Bulgaria for a short duration for business-related reasons that do not require actual labor work or payment from Bulgaria source.
2. Two Photos
3. Foreign Passport and Copy of the Main Page
4. Copy of Previous Visas
5. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Insurance
7. Proof of Professional Status
For example:
8. Means of Subsistence
9. Proof of Accommodation
10. Proof of Itinerary
11. Proof of Civil Status
12. Proof of Business Invitation
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Bulgaria business visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Bulgaria business visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. A charge of 60 EUR is collected, and for children between 6 and 12 years of age, it is 35 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for a Bulgaria business visa in Bulgaria visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
Applicants, who intend to travel to visit and stay with family/friends legally residing in Bulgaria need to apply for a Bulgaria Private visa.
2. Two Photos
3. Foreign Passport and Copy of the Main Page
4. Copy of Previous Visas
5. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Insurance
7. Proof of Professional Status
For example:
8. Means of Subsistence
9. Proof of Accommodation
10. Proof of Itinerary
11. Proof of Civil Status
12. For Minors:
13. Invitation Letter
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Bulgaria private visit visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Bulgaria private visit visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. A charge of 60 EUR is collected, and for children between 6 and 12 years of age, it is 35 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for a Bulgaria private visit visa in Bulgaria visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
This visa is considered for people seeking medical treatment in Bulgaria.
2. Two Photos
3. Foreign Passport and Copy of the Main Page
4. Copy of Previous Visas
5. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Insurance
7. Proof of Professional Status
For example:
8. Means of Subsistence
9. Proof of Accommodation
10. Proof of Itinerary
11. Proof of Civil Status
12. For Minors:
13. Medical Invitation Form Completed and Signed by the Hospital or the Attending Physician
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Bulgaria Medical Treatment Visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Bulgaria Medical Treatment Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. A charge of 60 EUR is collected, and for children between 6 and 12 years of age, it is 35 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for a Bulgaria Medical Treatment Visa in Bulgaria visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
This visa is issued for those who travel to Bulgaria to participate in international sports events and their accompanying persons in their professional capacity.
2. Two Photos
3. Foreign Passport and Copy of the Main Page
4. Copy of Previous Visas
5. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Insurance
7. Proof of Professional Status
For example:
8. Means of Subsistence
9. Proof of Accommodation
10. Proof of Itinerary
11. Proof of Civil Status
12. For Minors:
13. An Invitation Letter from the Ministry of Youth and Sport or from a Respective Sports Club
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Bulgaria Sports Visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Bulgaria Sports Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. A charge of 60 EUR is collected, and for children between 6 and 12 years of age, it is 35 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for Bulgaria Sports Visa in Bulgaria visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
Bulgaria Cultural exchange visa is designated for entering Bulgaria to participate in scientific, cultural, and artistic activities.
2. Two Photos
3. Foreign Passport and Copy of the Main Page
4. Copy of Previous Visas
5. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Insurance
7. Proof of Professional Status
For example:
8. Means of Subsistence
9. Proof of Accommodation
10. Proof of Itinerary
11. Proof of Civil Status
12. For Minors:
13. An Invitation Letter from the Ministry of Culture or from the Mayor of the Respective Municipality
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Bulgaria Cultural Exchange Visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Bulgaria Cultural Exchange Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. A charge of 60 EUR is collected, and for children between 6 and 12 years of age, it is 35 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for Bulgaria Cultural Exchange Visa in Bulgaria visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
Bulgaria long-stay visas are issued to persons wishing to obtain a long-term residence or permanent residence permit in Bulgaria. The visa is valid for six months and allows you to stay in Bulgaria for a maximum of 180 days. Long stay visas with the validity of one year and allowing to stay in Bulgaria for 365 days are considered for researchers, students under one year of study, graduate students and interns, persons sent on business trips on behalf of a foreign employer to perform particular tasks related to the control and coordination of tourist services contracts. It can also be given to persons sent for investment by the Investment Promotion Act on behalf of a foreign employer.
Bulgaria long-term visa allows you to enter the territory of Bulgaria multiple times within its validity period. This visa is revoked after the person enters Bulgaria and is provided with a residence permit by the administrative office of foreigners.
This Type of Visa Can Be issued for Reasons such as:
When an application for a long-stay visa (visa type D) is submitted, a charge of 100 EUR shall be collected.
Non-EU/EEA citizens who wish to enroll in a program at a Bulgarian university must apply for a Student visa. The Bulgarian student visa is valid for a period of 3 to 6 months. International students, after receiving the acceptance letter from the higher education institution in Bulgaria, must apply for a visa at their nearest Bulgarian embassy/consulate.
1. Application Form
2. Two Photos
3. Foreign Passport and Copy of the Main Page
4. Copy of Previous Visas
5. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Insurance
7. Proof of Professional Status, if any
For example:
8. Means of Subsistence
9. Proof of Accommodation
10. Proof of Itinerary
11. Proof of Civil Status
12. For Minors:
13. Admission Letter (Certificate of Admission to the Bulgarian University as a Student) and the Original of the University Admission Certificate issued by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science Of Bulgaria.
14. All Documents Submitted for Admission to the University
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Bulgaria Study (Long-term) Visa is 5-25 working days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Bulgaria Study (Long-term) Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. The Visa fee is 100 EUR for foreign nationals. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for Bulgaria Study (Long-term) Visa in Bulgaria visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
Bulgaria Work visa can be granted to non-EU nationals who have a work permit subject to clearance by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. To apply for a Bulgaria work visa, you need to have a secured job position with a Bulgarian-based employer.
1. Application Form
2. Two photos
3. Foreign Passport and Copy of the Main Page
4. Copy of Previous Visas
5. National Identity Card And Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Insurance
7. Proof of Professional Status, if any
For example:
8. Means of Subsistence
9. Proof of Accommodation
10. Proof of Itinerary
11. Proof of Civil Status
12. Notarized Copy (Original and Copy) of the Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of Bulgaria
13. Employment Contract (Original and Copy)
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Bulgaria Work (Long-term) Visa is 5-25 working days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Bulgaria Work (Long-term) Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. The Visa fee is 100 EUR for foreign nationals. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for Bulgaria Work (Long-term) Visa in Bulgaria visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
This visa is intended to permit foreign nationals to obtain a long-term visa, allowing them to stay in Bulgaria for a longer period. This visa applies to family members of Bulgaria nationals and wishing to obtain a permit for long-term residence in Bulgaria.
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Two Photos
4. ID Card Copy
5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Details of Spouse
8. Marriage Certificate
a) Bulgaria Marriage Certificate:
b) Foreign Marriage Certificate:
9. Divorce Decree of Previous Marriages or Death Certificate of Former Spouse (if the applicant has been previously married)
10. Proof of Accommodation in Bulgaria
11. The Criminal Record
12. Proof of Sufficient Means of Substance
In the case of self-funding:
In the case of sponsorship:
13. Proof of Professional Status, if any
For example:
14. Health Insurance, will only be requested where applicable
Requirements:
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Bulgaria Family Reunion visa is 5-25 working days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Bulgaria Family Reunion Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. The Visa fee is 100 EUR for foreign nationals. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for a Bulgarian Family Reunion visa in Bulgaria visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
No. In some cases, you may be required to provide bank statements or sponsorship letter.
For Bulgaria multiple entry visas the same documents as for Bulgaria single-entry visas are required. Please also submit a justification of multiple entries: invitation, air tickets confirmation for the following visits, copies of the previous Bulgaria visas, etc. The visa fee is the same as for a single-entry visa.
Bulgarian embassies or visa application centers do not accept documents for urgent visas. However, in exceptional circumstances such as urgent business meetings, it is possible to write an email to the embassy/visa application centers and as for urgent visa appointments or speeding up visa procedure. Please note that the decision about this depends entirely on the consul.
Parents should sign the application form for their child.
Yes. The Embassy and Consulate reserve the right to call applicants in for necessary verification or a personal interview at a later time. Likewise, the Embassy reserves the right to request additional documents not contained in the harmonized list of documents, when necessary.
It is beneficial if you do. If your old passport contains visas showing previous foreign travel (for instance to Schengen, UK, Switzerland, Canada, USA) you may wish to ask for it to be returned to you by the passport office when you renew it. You will then be able to attach it to your new passport when you submit your Bulgaria visa application. It is very useful for the embassy/consulate to see such direct evidence of previous travels abroad and to see an old passport or copies of previous visas can often enable to process your application much quicker.
If you consider it to be reasonable, you can appeal against the refusal.
No. The Embassy recommends you to apply again only if you think that the circumstances that could have caused the refusal have changed.
No, short term visa enables you to stay in Bulgaria for the period of its validity only. According to the law in the area of rights and matters of foreigners in Bulgaria, to settle in Bulgaria, you must have a permanent settlement or National Bulgaria visa.
We suggest that you do not buy tickets or make non-refundable travel arrangements until your visa has been issued. Sometimes visa application assessment might require additional time, so please apply in advance of your travel date. A visa application should be submitted at least 15 days before the intended visit and cannot be submitted earlier than three months before the planned visit.