In the case of non-EU citizens entering Bulgaria from other EU countries where they have lived based on EU residency cards, the procedure is simpler, as they can use these cards to relocate to Bulgaria without too much hassle. They can even apply for Bulgarian residency based on them.
The National Migration Directorate will require the following documents of applicants for Bulgarian residence permits:
The application must be submitted in Bulgarian. For applicants under the Investment Promotion Act, there are additional requirements among which the amount to be invested in Bulgaria.
The application for the long-term residence certificate is submitted by the European citizen with the Migration Directorate, at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, three months prior to the first entry in Bulgaria. For this type of application, a seven-day period is granted should be applicant omit certain required documents. When the applicant fails to make the necessary corrections within this time, the application is rejected. A European citizen can receive a Bulgaria permanent residence certificate if he has been living in the country for an uninterrupted period of five years.
European citizens can obtain a residence certificate in the following cases:
they are self-employed in Bulgaria or employed with a locally registered company;
they have sufficient financial means to cover medical insurance and other expenses for themselves and their family members, as applicable, without being a burden to the Bulgarian state.
they are admitted to a college or university in Bulgaria or follow professional training, have medical insurance and sufficient financial means so that they are not a burden to the social security system.
Types of visas in Bulgaria
If citizens from EU countries may travel to Bulgaria without a visa in 2022, other foreign citizens are required to apply for one of the available types of visas depending on the purpose and the time of their stay. Bulgaria applies the Council Regulation No. 539/2001 with respect to the countries whose citizens are required to apply for a Bulgarian visa and foreign citizens exempt from these requirements.
There are three types of Bulgarian visas for foreign citizens:
the A visa, which is for airport transit,
the C visa for short stays,
the D visa for long stays.
Requirements when applying for a Bulgarian visa
Foreign citizens coming to Bulgaria must keep in mind certain aspects of the visa application procedure for 2022. First of all, they must make sure they have a valid passport with at least two blank pages for visa purposes. The passports must have a minimum validity period of three months and must have been issued within the last 10 years.
Other documents to be submitted with the visa application form are:
a photocopy of the passport’s first page,
a copy of the last Bulgarian or Schengen visa, if applicable,
a passport sized colored photo,
a medical insurance,
proof of transportation and accommodation,
proof of self-sufficiency.
According to the National Statistical Institute, the following data is available on Bulgarian residence permits granted to third-country nationals:
Family reasons for the stay: 3,240 permits in 2017 and 3,615 permits in 2017;
Permits for education and study: 1,067 in 2016 and 1,267 in 2017;
Employment and other remunerated activities: 276 permits in 2016 and 1,822 permits in 2017;
Other reasons: 3,359 permits in 2016 and 4,254 permits in 2017.
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).
Bulgaria Family Reunification Visa Requirements
You may apply to bring your non-EU family members in Bulgaria if:
- You are a Bulgarian citizen
- EU national
- Holder of a Bulgaria long-term residence permit
You may bring your spouse or partner (with whom you have been cohabitating) and any children under the age of 18.
In addition to the requirements listen above under long-stay visas, Bulgaria visa requirements for a family reunification visa include:
- Marriage certificate.
- Proof you have lived together for no less than one year (if not married).
- Travel insurance from your country of residence.
- Birth certificates or adoption papers, as applicable.
- Proof of private health insurance in Bulgaria.
- Police clearance or previous convictions certificate from your country of residence.
- Any other documents proving family relationship or custody over child/ren.
Work in Bulgaria
Immigration UA has many partners, and employment agencies, which help Bulgaria employers and foreign employees find each other. On the one hand, they are doing a great job searching for reliable, proven companies that need employees. Select only those employers who offer a decent salary, and provide official registration based on a Bulgaria work permit visa. On the other hand, the Bulgaria work permit agency is looking for motivated candidates who meet the Bulgaria of the employer and are set up for long-term official employment in Bulgaria.
Requirements to Obtain Bulgaria Work Visas
The Bulgarian employer is responsible for submitting the work permit application on behalf of foreign employees. However, the employee will need to provide some of the documents required along with the application. Required documents include:
- Three passport photos of the applicant
- A copy of the employee’s passport
- A document stating the reason for requesting the work permit
- A copy of the employer’s certificate of incorporation in Bulgaria
- The employment contract
- Documents proving the employee’s qualifications, such as a diploma, relevant certifications, and evidence of previous work experience
- Any additional documents relevant to the job position
- A completed work permit application form
The employee will also require a long-stay visa. To obtain one, they’ll need to produce the following documents:
- A copy of the first page of their passport
- A passport photo in color
- Proof of the reason for travel, such as the work permit
- Proof of medical insurance
- Evidence of sufficient financial means
- Proof of accommodation in Bulgaria, such as a lease agreement
- A police background check
Contact us for work & settle in Bulgaria.
