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Visa for Bulgaria

Visa for Bulgaria

General information

Bulgaria and the European Union’s Common Visa Policy

US citizens (holders of ordinary US passports) travel visa free to Bulgaria for a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

As of March 31st, 2024 Bulgaria will start issuing short-term Schengen visas (C visas) under the EU Visa Code Regulation. The Schengen visas are an entry permit for a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area (including the territory of Bulgaria and Romania).

Bulgarian national short-term visas issued before March 31st, 2024 will be valid on the territory of Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus until their expiry date. Holders of long-term Bulgarian visas (D visas) issued before March 31st, 2024 will be able to travel in the Schengen area on these visas until they expire.

If you are a third country national residing on the territory of the US and need a visa, please check the links below:

Download Visa Application Form

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

Visa applications have to be submitted in person after making an appointment at the Bulgarian consulate in charge of the US state of your official residence (registered address). To see our consular regions, please look up this link:

https://www.bulgaria-embassy.org/en/consular-services/

Important note regarding the European Travel Authorization and Information System (ETIAS): Starting in mid-2025, visa-exempt travelers will be required to have a travel authorization to enter most European countries, including Bulgaria. ETIAS is not yet in place. For more information you could visit the official ETIAS site at: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

Types of visas
Fees
  • Visa A – 95 USD
  • Visa C – 95 USD /may vary in cases of reciprocity or international agreements/
  • Visa D – 118 USD /six-month validity/ or 236 USD /1-year validity, issued in strictly limited cases/

 

Requirements when entering the country

A foreigner may enter the Republic of Bulgaria if he/ she is a holder of a regular foreign travel document or another equivalent document as well as a visa if required. The visa sticker could be affixed in an expired travel document as well.

Visa issuing

A foreign citizen wishing to apply for a Bulgarian visa shall hold a regular travel document that meets the following requirements:

  • its validity expires at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or in case of multiple visits – after the last scheduled date of departure from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;
  • contains at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes;
  • has been issued within the last 10 years.

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

Visa applications

Visa applications forms are submitted not earlier than 3 months before the date of the intended travel, personally.

Visa applications for minors or judicially disabled persons shall be submitted by their legal representatives or by persons expressly authorized to do so.

Visa applications for underage persons or persons with limited judicial disability shall be submitted by their legal representatives, trustees or by persons expressly authorized to do so.

Requirements when filling in visa applications

All fields in the application shall be filled in legibly in typed letters. The names shall be filled in with Latin letters /the way they are spelt in the foreign travel passport/. The rest of the information shall be filled in English or Bulgarian. The application shall be signed by the applicant personally. The members of the family of European Union citizens shall fill in only those fields of the visa application form which indicate their family relationship.

Obligatory personal interview when applying for a type “D” visa

No exception shall be made from the requirement for a personal interview when applying for a long-stay visa.

Documents to be submitted with the visa application:

  1. A photocopy of the first page of the foreign travel document
  2. A photocopy of the Bulgarian, Schengen or US visas/Green Card, if any
  3. A full color photograph 3,5 cm х 4,5 cm against light-colored background /the same holds for a child entered in the passport/ – a full-face photo with clear, large enough face which takes up 70-80% of the photo; the following is ineligible: photos with dark glasses; non-professional photos or cut out of amateur photo.
  4. Proof of the purpose of your travel (e.g. invitation from a friend or business partner; travel voucher; retirement letter; work permit; letter from the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science or university, Bulgarian marriage certificate etc.)
  5. A medical insurance valid for the EU member states for the whole period of the trip, covering all costs for repatriation and for urgent medical care and emergency hospital treatment for the period of the stay indicated in the visa. The insurance amount cannot be less than 30 thousand euro
  6. Proof of financial means/bank statement
  7. Proof of housing/accommodation; when applying for D visa, a notarized lease agreement and notarized consent/declaration from the owner, stating that he/she agrees that the applicant will be registered on this address are both requested
  8. FBI check, legalized with an “apostille” /required for D visas only/
  9. For under-aged children travelling without their parents  or trustees the following documents shall be submitted:
    • a copy of the birth certificate
    • original and photocopy of a power of attorney notary certified by both parents/ trustees or by one parent trustee that they agree their child to travel unaccompanied by them.
Exceptions

The following persons are exempt from presenting proof for subsistence, accommodation and transportation:

  1. Members of the families or the households of European Union, European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and the Swiss Confederation citizens
  2. Persons applying for a visa for a long stay in view of gathering their families, in relation to a refugee status acquired or asylum in the Republic of Bulgaria – pursuant to a written decision of the Bulgarian State Agency for Refugees
  3. Holders of service, official, special or diplomatic passports

The following persons are exempt from presenting an insurance policy:

  1. Members of the families or the households of European Union, European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and the Swiss Confederation citizens
  2. Holders of service, official, special or diplomatic passports
  3. Seamen who meet the criteria of Convention №108 of the International Labour Organization when submitting applications for short-stay visas with the purpose of transit
  4. Persons who can be deemed to be insured or can cover expenses in unforeseen circumstances due to their social or service status.
  5. Holders of service, official, special or diplomatic passports

The following persons are exempt from fees for visa application processing

  1. Children under 6 years
  2. Members of the families of Bulgarian or EU citizens
  3. Holders of service, official, special or diplomatic passports

Processing Times

A and C visas – 15 calendar days

D visas – 35 business days (usually) and up to six months (in specific cases)

Please, make your travel arrangements accordingly.

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