The Republic of Bulgaria Act drastically changed the immigration laws in Bulgaria, which has serious ramifications for foreigners. The Bulgarian Ministry of Interior Affairs is permitted to execute contracts and to receive and handle visa application processing. Additionally permitted to handle visa or residency permit processing are Bulgarian embassies. In Bulgaria, legal immigration is crucial due to legislative changes. There were only two kinds of residency permits up to 2011: long-term and permanent. The extended permit, which encompasses the scope of the first two permit types, was introduced in that year as a third permit type. All requests for visas, residency permits, immigration paperwork, and other documentation must be made at the Bulgarian embassy or general consulate in your country. In India’s capital city of New Delhi is the Bulgarian Republic’s embassy.
Bulgarian visa categories
A visa may be obtained for Bulgaria for several purposes, including visiting family or friends, starting a limited business, traveling on vacation, and more. A D-visa application is processed by the Bulgarian embassy in 30 working days and costs around EUR 150. The many kinds of visas include:
D-visa
A D-visa is issued to those who invest a minimum of EUR 312,000 in real estate or establish a foreign firm’s branch office in Bulgaria or a Bulgarian limited company. Various D-visa types cater to individuals entering Bulgaria for work, business establishment, marriage to a resident, corporate representation, retirement, or as a family member, addressing their specific immigration needs. Candidates seeking a Bulgarian Type-D visa must go through a professional consultation and an interview at the nearest Bulgarian embassy or general consulate.
Student visa
Foreign students who are signed up for full-time scholarly programs are allowed this visa. It is important to sign up for full-time college courses.
C-visa
Non-nationals might visit Bulgaria for as long as 90 days for one of three reasons: business, individual, or traveler with a C-visa. For the first two types, you’ll need a business invitation and a personal invitation letter. A bank statement, an invitation letter, a certificated copy of your organization’s articles of incorporation, and/or a letter from your employer approving your trip for business purposes are all prerequisites. A business invitation or a personal invitation letter is necessary for business and personal visas respectively.
Permit to reside
Non-residents who need a long-term D-visa should apply at a Bulgarian embassy/consulate to get a residence permit. A temporary resident visa might be given for a time of as long as a year from the outset, with a possibility for expansions of as long as five years. The permanent residence becomes available after five years. The Bulgarian Citizenship Act allows non-EU nationals who have a five-year permanent resident permit to apply for citizenship and a passport of Bulgaria. Applications for citizenship must be filed to the Ministry of Justice together with the necessary paperwork. An estimated 15 working days are needed to establish a “trade representative office” in the country, without including the time spent preparing the necessary set of D-visa application materials. Temporary, permanent, and extended residency permits are available.
Getting a residency permit by establishing a firm
Applicants must establish a trade representative office to start a foreign business in Bulgaria. You may apply for a long-term D-visa and a Bulgarian residency permit while establishing a commercial representative office in Bulgaria. Upon receiving a temporary residency permit, you will be issued a Bulgarian ID card, granting multiple entries and exits in the country. Additionally, it enables 90-day visa-free stays in Romania, Croatia, and Cyprus within 180 days. You may apply for a permanent residency permit in Bulgaria after holding a temporary residence visa for five years.
Reasons that may be used to apply for a Bulgarian residency
A Bulgarian residency application may be made for several reasons, including:
- registering a foreign firm’s representative office in Bulgaria;
- forming a Bulgarian limited liability company; and
- employing at least 10 locals for at least six months.
- purchase of real estate with a minimum value of EUR 312,000;
- retirement (must possess sufficient subsistence funds and housing to live in Bulgaria);
- family reunification.
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Applying for a visa to Bulgaria – full guide