Short term visa for Bulgaria (Visa C)

visa stamps

Visa C is a short-stay visa issued by Bulgaria, allowing travelers to visit the country for a maximum of 90 days within a six-month period. This type of visa is suitable for various purposes such as tourism, business, visiting family or friends, and attending short-term educational courses or conferences.

A Bulgarian visa is an official document issued to a foreign national, permitting entry, residence, or transit through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, including airport transit. This visa is provided in the form of a sticker, which is affixed to the traveler's passport or an equivalent travel document. It is valid exclusively in conjunction with the document it is attached to and must be used solely for the purpose specified at the time of issuance.

According to the decisions of the Bulgarian government and coresponding to the European union legislation, visitors who possess valid Schengen documents, as well as national two or multiple-entry visas and residence permits from Romania, Cyprus, and Croatia, do not need an additional visa for Bulgaria. Therefore, travelers holding any of the following documents are exempt from needing a Bulgarian visa for transit or short stays (up to 90 days within a 6-month period):

• A uniform visa (C) for two or multiple entries, valid for all Schengen Area Member States.

• A long-stay visa (D) for stays exceeding three months, issued by any Schengen Area Member State.

• A residence permit issued by any Schengen Area Member State.

• National visas for two or multiple entries or residence permits from Romania, Cyprus, or Croatia.

Documents to be submitted with the visa application:

1. A photocopy of the first page of the foreign travel document;

2. A photocopy of the last Bulgarian and Schengen visas or visas for the UK and the US, if any

3. A full color photograph 3,5 cm х 4,5 cm against light-colored background (the same holds for a child entered in the passport) – a full-face photo with clear, large enough face which takes up 70-80% of the photo; eyes must be red; the following is ineligible: photos with dark glasses; non-professional photos or cut out of amateur photos

4. A medical insurance valid for the EU member states for the whole period of the trip, covering all costs for repatriation and for urgent medical care and emergency hospital treatment for the period of the stay indicated in the visa. The insurance amount cannot be less than 30 thousand euro

5. Tickets (original and copy) or ticket booking conformation or financial means

6. Copy of the technical passport of the car of the trip

7. For under-aged children travelling without their parents  or trustees the following documents shall be submitted:

• a copy of the birth certificate

• original and photocopy of a power of attorney notary certified by both parents/ trustees or by one parent trustee that they agree their child to travel unaccompanied by them.

The following persons are exempt from presenting proof for subsistence, accommodation and transportation:

1. Members of the families or the households of European Union, European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation citizens;

2. Persons applying for a visa for a long stay in view of gathering their families, in relation to a refugee status acquired or asylum in the Republic of Bulgaria – pursuant to a written decision of the State Agency for Refugees with the Council of Ministers

3. Holders of service and diplomatic passports

The following persons are exempt from presenting an insurance policy:

1. Members of the families or the households of European Union, European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation citizens

2. Holders of service and diplomatic passports

3. Seamen who meet the criteria of Convention №108 of the International Labour Organization when submitting applications for short-stay visas with the purpose of transit

4. Persons who can be deemed to be insured or can cover expenses in unforeseen circumstances due to their social or service status.

The following persons are exempt from fees for visa application processing

1. Foreign citizens who as of the date of the visa application are under 6 years

2. Members of Bulgarian and EU citizens’ families