Everything you need to know about a Bulgaria Visa
British
passport holders fall under the list of nationals who are visa-exempt from
entering Bulgaria. You can stay in the country for up to three months without a
visa.
Even
if there’s a no-deal Brexit, British citizens should not need a visa for short
trips to Bulgaria. According to the European Commission’s proposal, UK
nationals will be granted a visa-free entry into the Schengen area and other EU
countries, including Bulgaria, and allowed to stay for up to three months in
any six-month period.
The
best part is that since Bulgaria does not fall in the Schengen area, travel to
other EU countries will not count against this total of 90 days. However, you
should know that you cannot work in Bulgaria without a visa. You will need a
work permit or a visa.
After
arriving in Bulgaria, the officials at the border may ask you to prove that you
have sufficient funds to sustain the intended duration of your stay. You might
also be asked to show a return or onward ticket.
You
should also ensure that your passport retains its validity for the proposed
duration of your stay. However, we strongly recommend that all adult and child
passports are valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in
Bulgaria.
Entry policy for foreigners residing in the UK
Bulgarian authorities offer the visa-exemption facility to holders of valid Schengen visas. They can enter the country without a visa and stay there for a maximum period of three months in any six month span.
For a complete list of citizens who need or do not need a Bulgarian visa, you can visit this linkhere.
Now if you do need a visa, you should note that Bulgarian missions issue visas in three primary categories:
- Transit visa or visa A
- Short-stay visa or visa C
- Long-stay visa or visa D
Transit Visa
An airport transit visa is issued to a foreigner in single, double or multiple entries, with a validity of up to three months. You can use an A visa to air-transit via Bulgaria or stay in the international transit area of the airport, when you need to change overseas flights. In any case, you cannot use this visa to leave the transit area and enter the Bulgarian territory.
Short-stay visa
A short-stay visa allows you to transit while entering the country of Bulgaria. It can be issued up to three entries, with a maximum validity of 12 months, allowing a two-day stay per visit.
A short-stay visa is also used when a foreigner wishes to enter Bulgaria once, twice, or multiple times, provided the total stay duration does not exceed 90 days within every six months.
Multiple-entry short-stay visas are usually valid for up to one year, or if the applicant is eligible, up to five years. It can be used for business and tourism purposes or by members of the family of a Bulgarian citizen or a citizen of a European Union member-state.
For a regular short-stay visa, you need the following documents:
- A passport that is valid for at least three months from the date of leaving Bulgaria and has a minimum of two blank pages. It should be issued within the last 10 years
- A completely filled visa application form
- A copy of the first page of your passport
- A photocopy of the last Bulgarian and Schengen visas or visas for the UK and the US, if applicable
- A recent, colored, passport-size photograph, taken against a light background
- A valid medical insurance that covers the entire duration of your stay
- Booked tickets or confirmation of tickets
- A letter of invitation from the sponsor in Bulgaria
- Minors must submit a copy of the birth certificate, accompanied by a notarized certificate issued by the parents
Long-stay visa
You can apply for a long-stay visa if you wish to stay for a long term or permanently in Bulgaria. It is generally valid for up to 180 days and allows you to stay for up to six months.
In certain cases, one-year valid visas are also issued to foreigners wanting to conduct science research, employment, or studies.
You can lodge an application for a long-stay visa in Bulgarian diplomatic and consular missions in the UK.
When you apply for a long-stay visa, you will need a passport, a visa application form, copies of the pages of the passport, and a passport-size photo.
Additionally, you need to attach an application explaining the purpose of a long stay visa under the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act and the Regulation.
You should also be able to produce a health insurance and sufficient funds.
You should note that if you are applyi0
If you plan to stay for more than three months in Bulgaria, you need to lodge an application with the nearest police department for residency.
You should also be able to prove that you possess a work contract or are self-employed in Bulgaria. You must also have your own health insurance or a UK social security form.
You can also apply for residency if you are enrolled in an academic program in Bulgaria of you are an immediate family member joining an EU citizen.
For any of the above purposes, you must be able to prove authorized, documented proof. It’s always better to seek advice from the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in order to have clarity about the detailed documents required to obtain a residence permit.