Visa for Bulgaria

General information

Bulgaria and the Common Visa Policy of the European Union

Since 1 January 2007, the Republic of Bulgaria has been implementing the Common Visa Policy of the European Union under the conditions laid down in the Act of Accession.

Bulgaria and the Schengen Area

According to Council Decision (EU) 2024/210 of 30 December 2023 on the full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania, as of 31 March 2024, the Republic of Bulgaria is part of the Schengen area by initially abolishing checks on persons at internal air and sea borders.

According to Council Decision (EU) 2024/3212 of 12 December 2024 setting the date for the lifting of checks on persons at internal land borders with and between the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania, as of 1 January 2025, checks on persons at internal land borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania have been lifted.

Uniform (Schengen) visas

From 31 March 2024, the Republic of Bulgaria issues uniform (Schengen) visas valid throughout the Schengen area. A Schengen visa issued by the Republic of Bulgaria after 31 March 2024 will allow its holder to travel throughout the Schengen area in accordance with the Schengen rules (no more than 90 days in any 180-day period), regardless of internal land border checks.

The short-term stay (90 days in any 180 days) within the Schengen area begins to be counted from the moment of entry into the territory of Schengen, including for the Republic of Bulgaria.

Short-stay visas issued by the Republic of Bulgaria before 31 March 2024

In accordance with Art. 2 of Council Decision (EU) 2024/210, further explained in recital 8 of its preamble, national short-stay visas issued by the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania before 31 March 2024 shall remain valid for their period of validity. However, holders of these national short-stay visas will only be able to travel to the Republic of Bulgaria, Romania and also to Cyprus, but not to other Schengen Member States.

Holders of a national short-stay visa issued by the Republic of Bulgaria or Romania who wish to travel to other Schengen member states will need to apply for a Schengen visa.

Long-stay visas and residence permits issued by the Republic of Bulgaria

Residence permits and long-stay visas issued by the Republic of Bulgaria will continue to be valid after March 31, 2024 and during their period of validity, as specified in Art. 2 of Council Decision (EU) 2024/210.

Holders of long-stay visas issued by the Republic of Bulgaria, still valid after 31 March 2024, will be able to travel freely within the Schengen area in accordance with the Schengen rules (no more than 90 days in any 180-day period) after 31 March 2024, regardless of checks at internal land borders.

Holders of residence permits issued by the Republic of Bulgaria in a uniform format in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002, as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 380/2008, or any other residence permits notified to the Commission by the Republic of Bulgaria in accordance with Article 10. 39 of the Schengen Borders Code and published in Annex 22 to the Practical Guide for border guards that they are still valid after 31 March 2024, will be entitled to visa-free short-stay in the other Schengen countries in accordance with the Schengen rules (no more than 90 days in any 180-day period) after 31 March 2024 and within the period of validity of those authorisations,  checks at internal land borders.

Visa-free regime for holders of valid visas and residence permits issued by Romania

National short-stay visas, national long-stay visas and residence permits issued by the Romanian authorities before 31 March 2024 shall be recognised, until their expiry date, as equivalent to Bulgarian national visas for transit and intended stay.

Regulation (EU) 2018/1806

From the date of accession to the EU in 2007, Bulgaria started to apply Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 of 15.03.2001, which was codified by Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 of the European Parliament and of the Council as of 14.11.2018. It defines the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement.

As of 31 March 2024, if nationals of the countries listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 hold a valid uniform (Schengen) visa, the time spent by them in the Republic of Bulgaria will be considered part of the 90 days allowed to stay in the Schengen area for any 180-day period, regardless of border (air, land or sea),  which these citizens have passed in order to enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and regardless of whether it concerns short-term stay or transit.

The list set out in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 lists the countries whose nationals are exempt from the visa requirement when crossing the EU's external borders. Pursuant to Art. 4 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 they shall be subject to visa-free regime for a period of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

Information about the Visa Regime for foreigners with ordinary passports for a short stay (until 90 days)

Information about the Visa Regime for foreigners with diplomatic and service passports

Requirements for Entering the Country

Upon entering the Republic of Bulgaria, a foreign citizen must possess a valid travel document or another substituting document, as well as a visa when required. You can check whether your travel document is recognized for entry into Bulgaria in the following table: Recognized Travel Documents.

Note: Look for the country that issued the document in the table - PART II Travel documents issued by member states and Schengen associated countries. The second column indicates whether Bulgaria recognizes the travel document. If the entry is marked in green, it means the document is recognized by Bulgaria. Entries in red mean the document is not recognized.

Issuance of Visas

Any foreigner wishing to apply for a Bulgarian visa must possess a valid travel document that meets the following requirements:

• Its validity expires at least three months after the planned date of departure from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or, in the case of multiple visits, after the last planned date of departure from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;
• It contains at least two blank pages for affixing visas;
• It was issued within the previous 10 years.

Visas are issued by the diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Bulgaria.

MEMBER STATE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION

You must apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate of the country you intend to visit. As a general rule, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate with territorial responsibility for the country where you legally reside.
You must apply for a visa for the country of your main destination, i.e., the Schengen country where you will spend the most days. If you spend the same amount of time in two or more countries, you must apply for a visa for the country of your first entry into the Schengen area. If you travel to the Schengen area several times within two months, you must apply for the country of your main destination. The main destination is either where you intend to spend the longest time or where the main purpose of the planned visit takes place.

Where to Apply for a Visa?

Depending on your place of residence, you can submit your visa application:
• Directly at a Bulgarian representation abroad;
• Through an external visa service provider at the respective visa centers - https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html

 

Visa applications

DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSION AND PROCESSING OF THE APPLICATION

You must submit your application to a Bulgarian representation no earlier than six months before the start of the planned visit and no later than 15 days before the start of the planned visit, in person or through an authorized agent, except for humanitarian cases. For seafarers performing their duties, a nine-month rule applies.
Visa applications for minors or persons with disabilities must be submitted by their legal guardians or by persons explicitly authorized to do so.
Visa applications for minors or persons with limited legal capacity must be submitted by their legal representatives, trustees, or by persons explicitly authorized to do so.
You may need to book an appointment before submitting the application.
A decision on a Schengen visa application is taken within 15 calendar days from the date of submission of an admissible application. In individual cases where a more detailed examination of the application is necessary, this period may be extended up to 45 calendar days.
Please note that holding a visa does not automatically grant the right to enter the Schengen area.

Information on Prior Consultations for Third-Country Nationals

Visa applications submitted by nationals of certain third countries require consultation with central authorities, which may affect the duration of the visa procedure. The list of relevant nationalities or categories of citizens is available here:
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/e6139169-6ec7-4374-a50a-eb2333411e3f_en

Requirements for Completing Visa Applications

All fields in the application must be filled out legibly in block capitals. Names must be filled out in Latin letters (as spelled in the foreign passport). The rest of the information must be completed in English or Bulgarian. The application must be signed personally by the applicant. Family members of European Union citizens need to fill out only those fields in the visa application form that indicate their family relationship.

ADMISSIBILITY CRITERIA FOR VISA APPLICATIONS

When submitting the application, the applicant must present at least:
1. A valid travel document that meets the following conditions:
   (a) Its validity expires at least three months after the planned date of departure from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or, in the case of multiple visits, after the last planned date of departure from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria; in justified cases of urgency, this condition may be waived;
   (b) It must contain at least two blank pages;
   (c) It must have been issued within the previous 10 years.
2. A photocopy of the pages of the travel document containing personal data and visas and/or a photocopy of residence permits held for countries along the route and for the country of destination, if necessary;
3. A photograph, scanned or taken at the time of application;
4. His/her ten fingerprints;
5. A document showing the payment of fees.

Submit your application to the consulate at least 15 days before the planned trip and no earlier than 6 months in advance, in person or through an authorized agent, except for humanitarian cases.
Fill out the application form and hand in the signed application with the supporting documents.

Documents to be Submitted with the Visa Application:

• Photocopy of the first page of the foreign travel document;
• Photocopy of the latest Bulgarian and Schengen visas, if any;
• A color photograph measuring 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm against a light background (the same applies to a child entered in the passport) – a full-face photograph with a clear, sufficiently large face occupying 70-80% of the photo; eyes must not be red; the following are not allowed: photos with dark glasses; non-professional photos or photos cropped from amateur snapshots;
• Health insurance valid for EU member states for the entire period of the trip, covering all costs for repatriation, emergency medical assistance, and emergency hospital treatment for the period of stay specified in the visa. The insurance amount cannot be less than 30 thousand euros;
• Proof of secured transport (round trip), tickets, or travel reservation.

For minor children traveling without their parents or guardians, the following documents must be presented:

• - Copy of the birth certificate;
• - Original and photocopy of a power of attorney notarized by both parents/guardians or by one parent/guardian stating that they agree to their child traveling unaccompanied. If one parent is deceased, a death certificate is provided. If one of the parents has been deprived of parental rights or a travel permit has been issued, a court decision is provided.

Depending on the purpose of the trip and the type of visa, the applicant must submit an application in accordance with Annex II of the Visa Code, accompanied by:

• - Documents indicating the purpose of the trip;
• - Documents related to accommodation, or proof of sufficient funds to cover his/her accommodation;
• - Documents proving that the applicant has sufficient means of subsistence, both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to the country of origin or residence, or for transit to a third country where their admission is certain, or evidence that they are in a position to acquire such means lawfully;
• - Documents allowing an assessment of the applicant's intention to leave the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria before the expiry of the visa applied for.
• - Family members or household members of citizens of member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation must provide proof only of their family relationship or household membership with these citizens.

Types of Visas

1. Visa A (for airport transit) – more information
2. Visa C (for a short stay for transit or a planned stay) – more information
3. Visa D (for a long stay) – more information

Family members of EU/EEA or Swiss citizens exercising their right to free movement, or a British citizen who is a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement, are entitled to have their visa application processed in accordance with EU regulations.

Exempt from the obligation to present proof of secured maintenance, accommodation, and transport:

• Family members or household members of citizens of countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation;
• Persons applying for a long-term residence visa for the purpose of family reunification, in connection with granted refugee status or asylum in the Republic of Bulgaria – based on a written decision from the State Agency for Refugees under the Council of Ministers;
• Holders of diplomatic and service passports.

Exempt from the obligation to present an insurance policy:

• Family members or household members of citizens of countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation;
• Holders of diplomatic and service passports;
• Seafarers who meet the criteria of Convention No. 108 of the International Labour Organization when applying for a short-stay visa for the purpose of transit crossing the border;
• Persons who, given their public or official position, can be assumed to be insured or can themselves cover any expenses arising from unforeseen circumstances.

Exempt from visa application processing fees:

• Foreign citizens who, at the date of submission of the visa application, are under 12 years of age;
• Family members of Bulgarian citizens and EU citizens.

Fees for Visa C:

• €90 for adults
• Free of charge for children under 12
• €35 for applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus
• €67.50 for applicants from Cape Verde.

Refusal to Issue a Visa

A refusal to issue a visa may be appealed before the higher administrative authority – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, 1113, Sofia, 2 Aleksandar Zhendov Str. (email: priemna@mfa.bg), or the Administrative Court Sofia-City, 1301, Sofia, 17 George Washington Str. (email: registratura@sfg-adc.justice.bg);

Visa information system (VIS) and processing of personal data

 

Visa Application Centers (Outsourcing Centers) 

In order to facilitate visa applicants, and to provide a better and quicker service, Bulgarian Consular Services started, on stages, accepting visa application forms through the so called Visa Application Centers (Outsourcing Centers), operated by the VFC Global Company, specialized in providing visa services. For now, visa application forms could be submitted in this way at the Visa Application Centers situated in the following countries and cities:

Sr.no	Country	City
1	Angola	Luanda
2	Azerbaijan	Baku
3	Bahrain	Manama
4	Belarus	Minsk
5		Brest
6		Grodno
7		Gomel
8		Mogilev
9		Vitebsk
10		Lida
11		Baranovichi
12		Pinsk
13	Botswana	Gaborone
14	India	Ahmedabad
15		Bangalore
16		Chandigarh
17		Chennai
18		Cochin
19		Goa
20		Gurgaon
21		Jaipur
22		Jalandhar
23		Hyderabad
24		Kolkata
25		Mumbai
26		New Delhi
27		Pune
28		Puducherry
29	Indonesia	Bali
30		Jakarta
31	Iran	Tehran
32	Kazakhstan	Almaty
33		Astana
34	Maldives	Male
35	Malaysia	Kuala Lumpur
36	Malawi	Lilongwe
37	Oman	Muscat
38	Qatar	Doha
39	Philippines	Cebu
40		Manila
41	P.R. China	Beijing
42		Changsha
43		Chengdu
44		Chongqing
45		Fuzhou
46		Guangzhou
47		Hangzhou
48		Jinan
49		Kunming
50		Nanjing
51		Shanghai
52		Shenyang
53		Shenzhen
54		Wuhan
55		Xi'an
56	Russia	Arkhangelsk
57		Irkutsk
58		Kaliningrad
59		Kazan
60		Khabarovsk
61		Krasnodar
62		Krasnoyarsk
63		Moscow
64		Murmansk
65		Nizhny Novgorod
66		Novorossiysk
67		Novosibirsk
68		Omsk
69		Perm
70		Petrozavodsk
71		Pskov
72		Rostov-on-Don
73		Samara
74		Saratov
75		St. Petersburg
76		Ufa
77		Vladivostok
78		Voronezh
79	Saudi Arabia	Jeddah
80		Riyadh
81	South Africa	Pretoria
82		Cape Town
83		Johannesburg
84		Durban
85	Singapore	Singapore
86	Thailand	Bangkok
87	Turkey	Ankara
88		Antalya
89		Bursa
90		Diyarbakır
91		Edirne
92		Gaziantep
93		Istanbul
94		Istanbul
95		Izmir
96		Trabzon
97	Vietnam	Hanoi
98		Hochiminh city
99	UAE	Abu Dhabi
100		Dubai
101	UK	Edinburgh
102		London
103		Manchester
104	USA	Washington D.C.
105		New York
106		Chicago
107		Houston
108		Los Angeles
109		Miami
110		San Francisco
111	Uzbekistan	Tashkent
112	Zambia	Lusaka
113	Zimbabwe	Harare

More detailed information about the Visa Application Centers’ locations, as well as regarding the terms and regulations of submitting the visa application forms you could find on the phones of the respective Bulgarian diplomatic Missions abroad and their websites.