Visas
Considering Bulgria is joining Schengen Area on March 31st 2024, Bulgarian visa will be Schengen visa unless stated otherwise on the visa sticker itself.
Bulgarian visas issued before 31/03/2024 which are still valid will continue to be valid until their expiry but only for the territory of Bulgaria and cannot be used to travel to Schengen Area. If a holder of valid Bulgarian visa issued before 31/03/2024 planning to travel to Schengen Area, he/she will have to apply for a visa with the representative of the country that he/she is planning to travel to.
Bulgarian Embassy may issue a Schengen visa only if the main part of your travel is to Bulgaria. Otherwise, one needs to contact representative (Embassy) of the main destination in Schengen Area.
Four VFS GLOBAL CENTRES in the UK accept applications for short term VISAS FOR BULGARIA .
They are located in LONDON, MANCHESTER and EDINBURGH.
To apply at a VFS CLOGAL CENTRE visit the company’s website: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/gbr/en/bgr
Visa Section Admission Hours at the Embassy:
Monday to Friday between 0900-1300h. by appointment
To send an inquiry, please write at consular.london@mfa.bg
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Bulgarian visas are issued by the Bulgarian embassies and consulates abroad, not at the airports or the land and sea passport control points in Bulgaria.
By applying for a Bulgarian visa, the applicant agrees that his/her personal data appearing on the application form would be electronically stored and processed, and if necessary, passed over to the appropriate authorities of other countries in execution of Bulgaria’s international commitments.
A visa is issued only to holders of passports or travel documents that are valid for Bulgaria for at least 3 months after the end of the intended stay and that contain 2 blank pages .
As from 1 January 2006, all children entering Bulgaria will need to have their own passport. Children included in their parents’ passports will only be allowed in if the passport also contains their photograph.
Upon entry into Bulgaria, foreign nationals should declare in writing the purpose of their stay and the address at which they will reside. To this end they should fill in a registration form. Citizens of the European Union member-states and of the countries in the Economic European Area are exempt from this requirement.
Persons with refugee status in an EU member country, and in possession of regular travel document issued of this EU member country, do not need a visa to enter Bulgaria.
Since 31st of January 2012 The Republic of Bulgaria applies a visa-free system for holders of valid double or multiple entry Schengen visas.
As from 21 April 2023 the holders of double or multiple entry Schengen visas have the right to enter in the Republic of Bulgaria only if the double or multiple entry Schengen visa has been used at least once to enter a Schengen country. The holders of Schengen visas have right to stay in the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of validity of their Schengen visas and permitted duration of stay, but no more than three months in any sixth-month period from the date of first entry.
Citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, holding non-biometric passports with valid Schengen visas do not need transit visas for Bulgaria, If the Schengen visa has been used at least once to enter a Schengen country.
As from 21 April 2023 the holders of valid double or multiple entry visas issued by Cyprus and Romania have the right to enter in the Republic of Bulgaria only if the said visa has been used at least once to enter in the issuing country.
Gratis visas are issued to all children under the age of six.
Visa applications are processed for a period of up to 15 working days, since each application needs to receive clearance by the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry in Sofia.
Foreign nationals entering Bulgarian territory on a motor vehicle need to present a document of ownership for that vehicle, in cases such is not explicitly mentioned in the registration documents of the vehicle.
All foreign visitors should bear in mind that under Bulgarian Law they are required to contact the local police station within 48 hours of their arrival in Bulgaria and present in writing the address at which they will be staying. If they are staying in a hotel or private lodgings, the hotel management/host are obliged to register them at the local police station.
WHAT CHANGES AFTER BREXIT
From 01.01.2021 British citizens may visit Bulgaria visa free for short term stay /up to 90 days in any 180-day period starting from the date of first entry/. The required passport validity is 3 months after the planned departure from Bulgaria.
From 01.01.2021 holders of British travel documents issued to refugees, persons granted humanitarian protection and stateless persons will need short term visa to enter Bulgaria for short stay /up to 90 days in any 180-day period starting from the date of first entry/. For detailed information on short term visas, please contact the Consular office by email, specifying the purpose of stay /private visit, holiday, etc/. The required passport validity is 3 months after the planned departure from Bulgaria.
From 01.01.2021 British residence permits issued to EU/EEA Family Members can no longer be used for visa free travel to EU.
From 01.01.2021 British citizens who plan to stay more than 90 days in Bulgaria will have to apply for long-term visa. This includes British citizens who are family members of Bulgarian citizens. For detailed information on long-term visas, please contact the Consular office by email, specifying the purpose of stay /education, work, business, etc/. The required passport validity is 18 months from the date of applying for the visa.
The Law on EU citizens and their family members in Bulgaria shall continue to apply for British citizens and their family members who have become residents in Bulgaria before 31.12.2020 and hold valid residence cards issued under the Withdrawal Agreement. This includes persons who become family members after 31.12.2020 and who will be registered directly by the Migration authorities. Depending on the nationality short term visa may be required, whereas proof or relation /apostilled marriage, birth certificate, etc./ is attached to the visa application form as well as a copy of the valid residence card issued under the Withdrawal Agreement of the British family member.
You can download Visa Application form here:
For all other enquiries, please, visit the website of the Bulgarian Ministry of foreign affairs, following the next link: https://www.mfa.bg/en/services-travel/consular-services/travel-bulgaria/visa-bulgaria