Bulgaria Visa Requirements

When submitting a Bulgaria visa application, you must have several required documents, such as:
  • Bulgaria visa application form, completed in typed letters and signed.
  • Your passport/travel document, which must have at least two blank pages in order to affix the visa.
  • Photocopies of the personal information page on your passport as well as any previous visas
  • Photocopies of any other permission to stay in a foreign country (visa, residence permit), even if it’s not affixed to your passport (if applicable)
  • A recent passport-size picture of yourself, in line with Bulgaria visa picture requirements:
  • Dimensions: 3,5 cm х 4,5 cm
  • Recent
  • Professionally taken Set against a light-colored background
  • You must be facing forward, with a neutral facial expression
  • Your face must cover 70-80% of the picture
  • You may not wear tinted eyeglasses or decorative headgear
  • Travel itinerary/flight ticket.
  • Proof of travel insurance of at least €30,000 for the duration of your stay covering any repatriation or medical emergency expenses.
  • Hotel reservation, or proof of another form of accommodation.
  • Proof regarding the purpose of travel.
  • Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay, such as bank statements. You must have a minimum of €50 per day, but no less than €500 – or the equivalent of that in your country’s currency.
  • You may also submit proof you’ve pre-paid accommodation or that someone in Bulgaria will undertake the cost of sustaining you there, such as a person or company/institution.
  • Certificate of police clearance (if necessary).
The documents have to be legalized (through an Apostille stamp or otherwise).

Bulgaria Work Visa Requirements

If you want to apply for a Bulgaria work visa, your Bulgarian employer must first obtain a work permit for you. Your employer has to request a work permit to the Bulgarian Employment Agency by submitting the following documents:
  • A work permit application form.
  • Proof of private health insurance in Bulgaria.
  • Travel insurance from your country of residence.
  • Police clearance or previous convictions certificate from your country of residence.
  • A letter explaining the reason for the request.
  • The employment contract.
  • Copy of your passport/travel document which is valid for at least 7 more months.
  • Three passport-size pictures of you.
  • A certified copy of your employer’s registration document or ID code.
  • Documents related to your educational background, skills and qualifications, previous work experience, etc.
  • A report regarding the number of employees your employer has had under employment contracts for the preceding 12 months.
Any additional documents which are related to your job.

Do I Need a Visa for Studying or Working in Bulgaria?

Yes, you do. Any foreign national who wants to live in Bulgaria long-term, such as for studying or working, needs to obtain authorization to live in Bulgaria long-term (ie. a Bulgarian residence permit.) Everyone needs a residence permit for Bulgaria, even EU nationals. However, non-EU nationals also have to apply for a long-stay visa prior to travelling. Residence permit applications are submitted after the foreigner is in Bulgaria.

There are three types of residence permits for Bulgaria:
  • Extended residence permit, which is issued to non-EU nationals for a duration of up to one year.
  • Long-term EU residence permit, also known as a residence certificate, issue to EU nationals for a period of five years
  • Permanent residence permit, which is issued to European nationals who have lived in Bulgaria for at least five years. This type of permit gives the holder the same rights as a Bulgarian citizen, excluding the right to vote or be involved in politics.

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