There are 4 main types of visa that non-Bulgarian Citizens may apply for. Each of these types is described below.
Visa for Airport Transit (type “A” visa)
It can be sing le, double and exceptionally multiple valid for 3 months after the date of issue. A person who is issued with an airport transfer visa is considered not admitted to the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and his movement is restricted to the transit area of the airport. It gives a right to leave the aircraft when it makes a scheduled landing at a Bulgarian airport or a change of flights is necessary. Applicants are required to present a flight reservation. Only persons holding passports or travel documents of the following countries need to apply for a Visa for Airport Transit: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Sudan.
Transit Visa (type “B” visa)
It can be single, double and multiple valid for 3, 6 and 12 months after the date of issue. It is issued to a foreign person who enters the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria from one country en route to another country. It allows entering the country and a maximum stay of up to 24 hours in Bulgaria. The multiple transit visas allow entering the country for up to 90 times within each period of 6 months. The applicants are required to submit:
(1) Proof of a paid fare for an onward transportation;
(2) Visa or an entry clearance issued by the country of next and final destination;
(3) Proof of sufficient funds (at least ˆ50 or its equivalent in other currency for each entry). If the applicant is entering the country on a motor vehicle by road, he/she has to show proof of possessing additional funds of at least ˆ200 or its equivalent in other currency for each entry. Short Entry Visa (type “C” visa)
It can be single or multiple valid for 3, 6 and 12 months following the date of issue. It is issued to foreign persons who travel to Bulgaria for tourism, on business trips or make private visits. It allows one or multiple entries into the country and a stay not exceeding 90 days within each period of 6 months. Multiple entry visas are issued only to a foreign person who satisfies one or more of these conditions:
(1) Maintains regular business contacts with companies registered in Bulgaria;
(2) Has invested more than 50 000 EUR or its equivalent in other currency in the Republic of Bulgaria and there is a document from the Bulgarian Agency for Foreign Investment confirming this;
(3) Is the representative of a person who satisfies one of the above two conditions;
(4) Carries out commercial activities in Bulgaria and at least 10 Bulgarian citizens have been employed in relation to these activities;
(5) Is a foreign expert, working in Bulgaria by virtue of an international agreement;
(6) Is a representative of a foreign company, registered with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce.
(7) Carries out activities in accordance with the Bulgarian Foreign Investments Act;
(8) Has a substantial contribution for the development of the bilateral relations between Bulgaria and his/her country of nationality;
(9) Is the member of the family of a Bulgarian citizen;
(10) Has a Multiple Entry Visa valid for more than 12 months for one of the countries the citizens of which enjoy visa free regime for a short entry in Bulgaria.
The applicants for a Short Entry Visa are required to submit:
(1) Documents explaining the grounds for the visit (letter of invitation for a private or a business trip or a tourist voucher);
(2) Proof of availability of sufficient funds of minimum 50 EUR or its equivalent in other currency per day of the required stay, but not less than 500 EUR;
(3) Proof of availability of accommodation – prepaid tourist vouchers for a hotel, a letter of invitation for private visit endorsed by the local authority, or sufficient funds of not less than 50 EUR or its equivalent in other currency per night during the intended stay;
(4) Proof of a secured return trip from Bulgaria or sufficient funds (not less than 300 EUR or its equivalent in other currency) if the applicant will exit the country on a motor vehicle.
Long-term Visa (type “D” visa)
It can be only single entry valid up to 6 months from the date of issue and a stay up to 90 days. It is issued to foreign persons who intend to apply for a long-term or a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria.
In case the foreigner is employed by a company or institution in Bulgaria, the employer should obtain the work permit from the appropriate department of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Bulgaria. Then the foreign person should enclose the original of the work permit to the application for a Long-term Visa (type “D” visa). In Bulgaria he can apply to the local immigration authorities for a residence permit.
We can offer help with all questions you may have on Visas, just go to our web site at www.blackseaproperty.biz and click on the forum area located in the bottom left hand corner of the front page, or call us and ask on 00359- 52-612882, or pop into the Blacksea Property offices for a chat if you are in the Varna area.
