Welcome to the Bulgaria Visa Guide, your ultimate source for information on obtaining a visa for travel to Bulgaria. Situated in the heart of the Balkans, Bulgaria boasts a rich history, stunning landscapes, and a vibrant culture. Whether you’re planning to visit for tourism, business, or study, navigating the visa application process can be overwhelming.
That’s where we come in – our comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from determining which type of visa you need to submit your application and preparing for your trip. With our expert advice and tips, you’ll be ready to explore all that Bulgaria has to offer in no time.
Who needs a Bulgaria Visa?
The requirement for a Bulgaria visa depends on the nationality and purpose of the visit. Children below the age of 6 years are eligible to enter Bulgaria without any visa, even if they belong to a country that is not eligible to enter Bulgaria without a visa. The individuals who are nationals from the following countries are eligible to enter Bulgaria without a visa if they are holders of biometric passports;
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- China, Hong Kong
- China, Macao
- Columbia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Latvia
- Lichtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxemburg
- Macedonia
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherland
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Republic of Korea
- Romania
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- The United States of America
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City State
- Venezuela
The individuals who are nationals from the following countries are not eligible to enter Bulgaria without a visa;
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- Congo-Brazzaville
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of Korea
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestinian Authority
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Republic of Nauru
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Surinam
- Swaziland
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- The People’s Republic of (PRC) China
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
How to travel to Bulgaria if you don’t need a visa?
If you are a citizen of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to enter Bulgaria for a stay of up to 90 days within 180 days. To travel to Bulgaria, you will need a valid passport or national ID card.
You can travel to Bulgaria by plane, train, bus, or car. Bulgaria has three international airports: Sofia Airport, Varna Airport, and Burgas Airport, which receive direct flights from many major cities in Europe and other parts of the world. The country also has a well-developed railway network and bus services connecting cities and towns within Bulgaria and neighboring countries.
Also See: All-in-one Resource to Belarus Visa 2024
Types of Bulgaria Visa
There are several types of Bulgaria visas available, depending on the purpose of your visit. Here are some of the most common types of Bulgaria visas:
- Short-term visa (Type C): This visa allows you to stay in Bulgaria for up to 90 days within 180 days. It is typically used for tourism, business, or visiting family or friends.
- Long-term visa (Type D): This visa allows you to stay in Bulgaria for more than 90 days, but less than one year. It is typically used for studying, working, or other long-term stays.
- Transit visa (Type B): This visa is required if you are passing through Bulgaria to another destination and need to stay in the country for a short period.
- Airport transit visa (Type A): This visa allows you to transit through a Bulgarian airport without leaving the airport’s international transit zone.
- Multiple-entry visa: This visa allows you to enter and exit Bulgaria multiple times within a certain period, typically up to one year.
- Visa for family members of EU citizens: This visa allows family members of EU citizens to join them in Bulgaria for a period of up to three months.
Required documents for Bulgaria Visa
The documents required for a Bulgaria visa application may vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for and your circumstances. However, here is a general list of documents that are typically required for a Bulgaria visa application:
- Valid passport
- Visa application form
- Photo
- Travel itinerary
- Proof of financial means
- Health insurance
Additional Documents for Tourist Visa
In addition to the general list of documents for a Bulgaria visa application, if you are applying for a tourist visa, you may also need to provide the following documents:
- Proof of accommodation
- Travel itinerary
- Proof of return transportation
- Tourist voucher or invitation
- Previous travel history
Additional Documents for Transit Visa
In addition to the general list of documents for a Bulgaria visa application, if you are applying for a transit visa, you may also need to provide the following documents:
- Valid visa or residence permit for your final destination
- Travel itinerary
- Proof of transportation
- Visa or permit for countries you will pass through
Additional Documents for Student Visa
In addition to the general list of documents for a Bulgaria visa application, if you are applying for a student visa, you may also need to provide the following documents:
- Acceptance letter from a Bulgarian educational institution
- Proof of financial means
- Health certificate
- Educational qualifications
- Language proficiency certificate
- Accommodation
Additional Documents for Work Visa
In addition to the general list of documents for a Bulgaria visa application, if you are applying for a work visa, you may also need to provide the following documents:
- Work permit
- Contract of employment
- Proof of qualifications and experience
- Proof of financial means
- Health certificate
- Accommodation
How to Apply for a Bulgaria Visa?
To apply for a Bulgaria visa, follow these steps:
- Determine the type of visa you need
- Check the visa requirements
- Complete the application form
- Gather the required documents
- Schedule an appointment
- Pay the visa fee
- Attend the visa interview
- Wait for processing
- Collect your passport
- Download the Application form from here.
- To get more details visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Bulgaria.
Processing Time
The processing time for a Bulgaria visa application may vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for and the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country. Generally, the processing time for a Bulgaria visa application can take up to 15 calendar days from the date of submission.
However, some visa applications may require additional processing time, such as those that require additional documentation or require further administrative processing.
Costs of Bulgaria Visa
The visa costs for Bulgaria may vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for and the embassy or consulate in your country. Here are some estimated visa costs:
- Short-stay visa (Type C): The visa fee for a short-stay visa is €60 for adults and €35 for children aged between 6 and 12.
- Long-stay visa (Type D): The visa fee for a long-stay visa is €75 for adults and €35 for children aged between 6 and 12.
- Transit visa: The visa fee for a transit visa is €35.
- Student visa: The visa fee for a student visa is €60.
- Work visa: The visa fee for a work visa is €150.
Validity and Extension of Bulgaria Visa
The validity and extension of a Bulgaria visa may vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for and the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country. Here are some general guidelines:
- Short-stay visa (Type C): The validity of a short-stay visa is up to 90 days within 180 days. This means that you can stay in Bulgaria for up to 90 days within 180 days. Short-stay visas cannot be extended, but you may apply for a new visa if you need to stay longer.
- Long-stay visa (Type D): The validity of a long-stay visa is up to 180 days. Long-stay visas can be extended if the purpose of your stay in Bulgaria remains valid and you meet the visa extension requirements. The extension must be requested at least 15 days before the expiration of your current visa.
- Transit visa: The validity of a transit visa is up to 24 hours. Transit visas cannot be extended.
- Student visa: The validity of a student visa is up to one year. Student visas can be extended if you continue to meet the visa requirements and are enrolled in an accredited educational institution in Bulgaria.
- Work visa: The validity of a work visa is up to one year. Work visas can be extended if you continue to meet the visa requirements and your employment contract is extended.
Is Bulgaria being part of the Schengen Area?
No, Bulgaria is not currently a part of the Schengen Area. However, Bulgaria has been working towards joining the Schengen Area since it joined the European Union in 2007. Bulgaria has met most of the requirements for joining the Schengen Area, but its membership has been delayed due to concerns regarding corruption and organized crime.