The Bulgarian passport is a type of document issued to Bulgarian nationals for international travel. Passports can also serve as evidence of their Bulgarian citizenship. The Bulgarian Ministry of Interior Affairs is responsible for the renewal and issuance of Bulgarian passports.
Immigration to Bulgaria has come in waves all throughout history. This was further enhanced upon its accession to the European Union last January 1, 2007.
Bulgarian Passport
Foreign nationals who wish to travel inside Schengen countries and Cortia as well as European Union member states are not required to carry passports. Instead, they can use their national identification cards or Ids.
There are different types of Bulgarian passports. These include regular, service, and diplomatic passports.
Regular passport – The Bulgarian regular passport is available to all citizens of Bulgaria.
Service passport – Issuance of this type of passport is solely for employees upon request by the respective directorate or government agency.
Diplomatic passport – This passport is for high-ranking state officials, diplomats and their immediate families.
Bulgarian Visa
Bulgarian immigration issue a visa-free travel for residents of states under the European Union. Bulgaria also extends its visa-free policy for a maximum of thirty (30) days to EEA (European Economic Area) countries and to a range of other countries such as United Kingdom, Canada, United States of America, Japan, Korea, Romania, and Australia.
A visa is issued only to valid passport holders and the visa is valid for three months until after the intended stay. The purpose of travel and their residence while in Bulgaria needs to be submitted on paper at application.
Visa application processing can usually take up to 10 working days, since each application needs to receive clearance by the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry in Sofia.
Foreigners entering Bulgarian territory on a motor vehicle have to present a document of ownership for that vehicle, if such ownership is not explicitly shown in the vehicle’s registration documents.
Bulgarian Visa Types
Bulgarian Business Visa
Bulgarian business visas are granted with single or double entry permits. These are valid for 3 to 6 months. They are temporary visas, and holders are not allowed to undertake a position of employment throughout their stay in Bulgaria. This visa is ideal for foreigners who need to visit Bulgaria for business matters such as conferences or meetings. The requirements for obtaining this type of visa include:
• a passport with at least a 6-month validity;
• 1 passport-type photograph;
• a letter from the company in the applicant’s country stating the duration and purpose of the individual’s trip; and
• a letter of invitation from a company in Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Multiple Entry Visa
Bulgarian multiple entry visas are usually issued to individuals with business contacts within the country of Bulgaria. This multiple entry visa is valid for 3 months. The Bulgarian Embassy allows extensions provided that the foreign national gives the passport before the visa’s date of expiration. To obtain this Bulgarian multi entry visa, applicants must submit all requirements.
Bulgarian Tourist Visa
Bulgarian tourist visas are usually granted for a maximum validity of 3 months beyond the date of issuance. This allows the holder to visit Bulgaria for a maximum stay of 30 days. The requirements for non-US citizens who wish to acquire a Bulgarian tourist visa include:
• a passport with at least 6 months validity;
• fully completed and signed application form;
• a copy of a declaration form;
• 1 passport-type photograph;
• Copy of the Green Card or a valid visa bank of the applicant’s own country;
• Invitation from a Bulgarian host;
• Onward or return ticket; and
• Proof of medical insurance
Upon arriving in Bulgarian premises, the applicant must have medical or travel insurance covering emergency medical expenses, repatriation, transportation, mortal remains, hospitalization, and funeral services.
Dependent Immigration and Spouse Immigration
Bulgarian tourist and business visas are short-term visa solutions for those who do not want to stay for long periods in Bulgaria. Bulgarian tourist and business visas are only valid for a limited amount of days. The visa holder is obliged to return to their homeland before the visa’s expiration date.
Bulgarian visas do not make provisions for those unmarried partners, spouses, dependent children or civil partners in case they want to accompany the main applicant. All candidates should obtain a Bulgarian visa in their own rights.
Eligibility
All applicants for a Bulgarian visa will need supporting documents such as a valid passport from the country of origin and evidence of residency. Applicants must also present their host’s certificate of residency in Bulgaria. They must also provide return tickets or travel documents relevant to their next destination.
The candidate must provide a letter from a relevant corporation or company in Bulgaria and the organization in the candidate’s home country to be eligible for a business visa. The letters must give details of the proposed length and purpose of the trip. The letter must confirm the individual or entity shouldering the financial responsibility for the candidate throughout their stay in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce should authorize the letter in order to make it legitimate and official.
Bulgarian Immigration Permit
Residence Permit
All foreigners staying in the territory of Bulgaria for more than 30 to 90 days require a residence permit. This depends on their nationality and the purpose of their stay. The residence permits are valid for 12 months and can be renewed at the end of its validity. The holder’s dependants are also granted a permit. There are different types of residence permits issued according to the applicant’s employment status such as employee, pensioner, and freelance professional.
When foreigners marry Bulgarian citizens or foreigners permanently residing in Bulgaria, they must abide by the Bulgarian rules and submit the needed requirements.
Foreign nationals must bring the following when applying for permanent residence permits:
• original copy of marriage certificate;
• documents containing evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their entire stay in Bulgaria; and
• a document containing information about approved permanent residence of the spouse issued to a foreigner by the state administrative control bodies.
Foreign pensioners need to produce documents detailing their retirement income and a bank account in Bulgaria with a Bulgarian address.
Applicants must obtain a short or long stay visa in their home country to apply for a residence permit. These individuals must also travel to the territory of Bulgaria. They should apply for the appropriate residence permit upon entering Bulgaria.
Work Permit
Foreigners working in Bulgaria for 3 months or less will not require a work permit, but they have to register with the employment agency. Foreign nationals working in Bulgaria for more than 3 months will need a work permit to be legally employed. A number of legal terms and conditions must be satisfied before the issuance of a Bulgarian work permit. These foreign nationals need to submit an application form both to the Bulgarian Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and an accredited employment agency.
A mandatory requirement for initially obtaining a work permit is granted by a long stay visa. Foreign nationals on short stay visas may not seek employment or apply for a work permit in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria’s Migration Policy
The democratic changes in Bulgaria and the processes of globalization changed the country’s migration conditions. The regulation of migration is among the major priorities of the Bulgarian Government. The aim of this policy is to improve the security of Bulgarian citizens and to prevent trafficking and illegal migration. This new Bulgarian migration policy aims to control illegal immigrants from entering Bulgaria while respecting the fundamental human rights and freedom as guaranteed by international treaties and European Union Standards.
Bulgarian Citizenship Act
This act specifies the procedures and conditions for the acquisition, loss, and reinstatement of Bulgarian citizenship. A Bulgarian citizenship is ruled by the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Any citizen from other states will only be considered a Bulgarian citizen in accordance to Bulgarian legislation. Adoption will not change the citizenship of an individual.
Bulgarian Foreigners Act
The changes to Bulgaria’s Foreigners Act were approved by the Cabinet of Bulgaria on May 2005. Now, Bulgaria’s Foreigners Act encompasses not only foreigners but also family members of Bulgarian nationals not considered as European Economic Area or EU citizens. Now, foreigners entering Bulgaria need to declare a minimum amount of fifty euros every day for personal finances. This excludes cases of specific agreements on cultural, educational or scientific exchanges. Before, the sum was fifty lev (almost half of the new requirements).
Bulgarian Immigration Program
The new immigration program was lately put in place by the Bulgarian department of immigration to facilitate and speed up the system for foreign nationals applying as business immigrants. The program allows high net worth individuals and members of families from obtaining their Bulgarian permanent residence status with all the advantages of a European Union permanent residence. Applicants must invest the sum of 500000 US dollars before they can get a permanent residence in Bulgaria. This will be returned to them without interest by the end of a 5-year period. The Bulgarian business immigrant should prove that they have a minimum amount of money obtained legally and not under criminal investigation.
As for fees for visa applications, the kind of visa applied for. Payments should be paid in cash or by postal order to the Bulgarian Embassy. Cheques are not honored. Aside from the actual visa fee, a processing fee of 14 euros is required.
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
Sir,
I am master degree holder from University of Peshawar Pakistan. I am interested in immigration. I have 34 years Office work experience. I have English Language Certificate. I have heavy Driving Liecense. I Like the law and order situation of Balgaria, good helpful people and community. My name may please be registered for immigration permit. thanks.
i am master degree from punjab university pakistan i am interested in immigration to any good country i have good business in pakistan but i am not satisfied here law and order in not good here ihave money plz tell me about immegration plan and country than i think only legel way accept thanx
I am a medical graduate from King Edward Medical College Lahore Pakistan. I have retired from Pakistan army as Brigadier in 1995. Interested to migrate and settle down in Bulgaria permanently. Have a reasonable source of income and would like to invest or do business in profitable businesses. Please advise ways and means how and to whom to apply for the same.
I can help you . I am doctor as well. send me your contact detail on this email. [email protected]
regards
salam sir my name is sohail. i m graduate in commerce and appered in masters in economics.
sir is possible to me how i could migrate to bulgaria. sir my contact no is 0343-2316248
and email is [email protected]
kindly sir do me a favor
I'm PhD. holder "Quality Management" from U.K. University, in addiiton, I'm 43 old, married with 2 childerns and have 20 years experience as financial manager and accounting systems designer within higher education institution. Now, how can I immegrate to bulgaria?
for immigration just call on 03214522245 pakistan and than decide. Atif
Dont go to bulgaria u can have points and immigrate to canada. do point calculation and follow their instruction.
australia would be another choice
hello
sir i am living in europeon cyprus.i am marrige with a bulgarian girl cyprus coat give us a marrige certificate
i am also student here i have visa i want to come in bulgaria and want to apply my bulgarian id
tell me is it possible?
what the requirements ?
you can apply for bulgarian ID but you have to be living and working in Bulgaria for 4-5 years and than pass language test which is crucial to get it.You have to speak the language otherwise you might be just registered for these 5 years you will not get the ID.
No way of cheating the system.
sir/Madem
i married to bulgarian girl but i am living in pakistan and i want to apply for bulgarian passport so
can you please tell me that which documents i need to provide the embassy …..
Hi friends,
I have 13 years of experience as telecom engineer. Currently living in dubai. And I want to relocate to bulgharia could you please suggest and advise how can I got this.
What is the requirement and the fastest way to got immigration.
Hi Friends,
Are there any other programs in Bulgaria for Immigration other than investing 500.000 US dollars
I have 9 years of work experience in Information Technology
What is the way to get immigration?
I am working in Dubai currently.
Hi I am a south african and wish to marry a lady in bulgaria, does anybody know the process works, and is it complex?
Hi , Dear Viewers, i like to migrtae from pakistan to any other good country, could u plz guide me in this regards. my name wasim from islamabad, e.mail me , [email protected],
Dear Sir,
i wana study in BULGARIA. Gave me intructions 4 studing in Bulgaria.
Muhammad Umair Manzoor
Dear, Sir/Madam, my name is Danish i am living in Uk I Fineshed my Postgraduate study in 2008 and i got Post Study Work Visa i was Doing my relveant Study job but now i am doing Futher study can it Posibel to get Bulgaria Immigration or Work permmit , i am waiting for Reply THx
hello
sir i am living in europeon cyprus.i am marrige with a bulgarian girl cyprus coat give us a marrige certificate
i am also student here i have visa i want to come in bulgaria and want to apply my bulgarian id
tell me is it possible?
what the requirements ?
I hold a Phd in Economics from Mumbai, India & currently working in Bahrain as a 'Urban Economist'.
I am interested in immigrating to Bulgaria. Please guide.
Hello!
I am from Lebanon and I would like to apply for an immigration visa to Bulgaria. Does anybody have the same case?
Any help is welcome, thanks.
Hi Sergio,
im also lebanese and im leaving in Bulgaria from 13 years if you to immigrat you need to make business and to do this to have visa tip (D) long story, to be correct everything money.
my name is kamal i am a bangladeshi in 2007 may coming in norway and also me get work permit six month now me possible to apply to emigration for rasedance parmit please give me some information which way me get to imigrant
Hi, my name is Z, i have a company interested to hire me in bulgaria, is there a visa on which i can work for them for 3 months and then convert it into a residence permit employment visa. i live in dubai and have a paksitani passport
thanks
Z
hi i married with bulgerian guy , and i a m indian. do i get visa to go bulgeria to meet my inlaws , and how long it will take to do that , please reply thats ,
please tell me how i can apply work permit visa in Bulgaria.right now i have Dubai Work permit visa.
I am interested in moving with my 3 children to Bulgaria for 1-2 years. I want to give them the experience of another culture as well as do some volunteer work at orphanages. I have a steady monthly income and can prove that. Can a parent of 3 kids move to Bulgaria for 2 years? While living there, can I adopt a child if I fall in love with one at an orphanage then eventually move back to the USA with the adopted child? I do plan on living there for 2 years minimum.
Hi Rachel, yes it is possible to move with your children here for 2 years. For adoption is a bit complicated but not impossible._
Has anyone applayed for Spouse visa to travel to Australia and has been approved>???
HI Every one I married a Bulgarian girl in UK how i can get Bulgarian Passport.
Thanks
I am from pakistan. I want to apply for bulgarian student visa.can anybody tell me where I have to submit my visa application for process.
I can help you in Bulgarian universities and in Canadian universities.
Sir I need to assist for Bulgaria Visa
Hi,can someone help me to get an free school in Bulgaria
my nematullah i frome afghanistan i want to go to bulgria by immegration visa please helping weat me
dear sir
I am an electrical engineer and i have 15 years of experience and i want to immigrate to Bulgaria please guide me how can i immigrate there?
I want legal work permit in Bulgaria
Please help me sir.
Je cherche passport bolgaria
I need passport bolgaria
Hello, if somebody can help me please..
I’m Korean and my boyfriend is Bulgarian, we are about to marry and live in Bulgaria. Now I’m staying in Bulgaria without any visa, as you know I can stay in Bulgaria for 90days with out visa, so there is a question that can I apply visa(D visa as a spouse visa) in Bulgaria or any other country near Bulgaria? Without going back to korea to apply visa.
Thank you hope that you could help me out
I have 10 years of experience as NGO sector. I living Bangladesh and l want work permit in Bulgaria pls help me.
Good day!
Sir/ma’am.. i just wanna ask because i have a bulgarian boyfriend,and he wants me to come there, to get to know him and his family, and also,, i wanna work their too,i am a bsn graduate license nurse here in philippines..
I hope u can help me,, thank you
U may email me.. [email protected]
Become a registered nurse in your country and you will not have a problem coming to the USA
I have 17 years of experience as Store Supervisor,Inventory Clrak and Book Keeping in Govt sector. I living Pakistan and l want work permit in Bulgaria pls help me.
hi,my name is zhen im now here in bulgaria,my 90 days stay will soon be expired.i want to know how to get a six months extention,and what are the erquierments?thank you and best regards!
Hi, @maria
Can u plz tell me how is the situation in bulgaria i mean job or buisness i am planing to move there thanks.
I am a canadian citizen. I am 68 years old, have pension 900 dollars per month. I want to live in bulgaria on retirement visa. Please let me know how I can get a retirement visa for bulgaria and can i live there on 900 dollars pension. Is there any other country where retirement visa is easy and can live in 900 dollars pension.
In canada cost of living is high and cannot live in 900 dollars pension. My email is [email protected] and tel no in canada is 9053601680