Issuance of a Long-Term Visa for Foreign Nationals (Visa D) in Bulgaria

The regulation on the conditions and procedure for issuing visas and determining the visa regime outlines three types of visas:

1. Airport Transit Visa (Type "A"): Validity: Can be single, double, or multiple entries with a validity of 3 months from the date of issue. Purpose: Allows a foreign national to transit through the international transit zone of an airport during a stopover or flight change en route to another country.

2. Short-Term Stay Visa (Type "C"): Validity: Issued for planned stays, allowing single, double, or multiple entries for up to 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of first entry. Exceptions: Nationals of certain countries with visa free regime agreements with Bulgaria (e.g., Ukraine, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, France, Taiwan, USA) can stay in Bulgaria for up to 90 days within any 6 months without a visa.
   

3. Long-Term Residence Visa (Type "D"): Issued to: Foreign nationals seeking prolonged or permanent residence in Bulgaria, based on grounds specified in the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act. Validity: Allows multiple entries into Bulgaria within the validity period. Generally valid for 6 months, allowing up to 180 days of stay. Certain categories (e.g., students in one-year programs, researchers, employees of foreign investors) may receive visas valid for up to 1 year, allowing up to 360 days of stay.

In this article, you'll find more information about the issuance of visa type D, which allows the candidate to obtain residence permit in Bulgaria.

Procedure for Issuance of a Type "D" Visa

Application Process:

Where to Apply: Applications must be submitted at the diplomatic or consular offices in the applicant's country of permanent residence or accredited to that country.

When to Apply: Applications can be submitted no earlier than 3 months before the planned visit.

Scheduling: Consular officers set an appointment within 2 weeks of the request date. In urgent cases, applications may be submitted without an appointment. No appointment is needed for family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens.

Personal Appearance: Applicants must appear in person to submit their application. No exceptions are allowed.

Required Documents:

• Application Form: Completed and signed.

• Passport: Valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure date, containing at least two blank pages, and issued within the last 10 years.

• Passport Copy: Photocopy of the personal data pages and any visas or residence permits.

• Photo: Passport-sized, scanned or taken at the time of application.

• Biometric Data: Digital fingerprints and photograph.

• Visa Fee: Proof of payment.

• Travel Insurance: Valid for the entire stay, covering at least €30,000.

• Proof of Financial Means: Bank statement from a Bulgarian bank with a minimum deposit of €5800.

• Accommodation Proof: Rental agreement or property ownership documents, declaration from the landlord.

• Criminal Record Certificate: Issued by the applicant's home country.

• Purpose of Travel: Documents supporting the reason for the stay (e.g., pension decision, business registration certificate, student enrollment, employment contract).

Verification and Decision:

• Preliminary Check: Consular officers verify the completeness and authenticity of the application and documents.

• Rejection: Applications are rejected if the passport is invalid, biometric data is not provided, or the visa fee is unpaid. In such cases, documents are returned, biometric data is destroyed, and the fee is refunded.

• Approval: If admissible, the application is registered and sent to the Bulgarian authorities for further processing.

• Additional Information: Consular officers may request additional documents or information to substantiate the application.

Decision Timeline:

• Standard Processing: Decisions are typically made within 35 working days.

• Expedited Processing: In certain cases (e.g., family members of Bulgarian citizens, researchers, students, seasonal workers, high-skilled workers), decisions can be made within 15 calendar days. This period may be extended by up to 20 days for additional checks.

Outcome

If approved, a long-term residence visa (Type "D") is issued. This visa is a prerequisite for applying for prolonged, long-term, or permanent residence status in Bulgaria.