Visas and Travel Documents
Visa Requirements:
In general, visitors from the following countries do not need a visa to enter Bulgaria:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Malta, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK (British Citizen Passport Holders and British Nationals /Overseas/ only), USA, Uruguay, the Vatican, Venezuela, SAR - China (Hong Kong, Makao) All holders of passports from countries not mentioned in the list above need visas to enter Bulgaria. More detailed restrictions are below.
Specific requirements:
With Bulgaria's entry into the EU in 2007, Bulgaria's visa requirements have been upgraded to meet EU requirements. Basically, entry into Bulgaria is now as (relatively) simple as entry into any EU Member State.
Entry requirements for Americans: Citizens of the USA do not need a visa to visit Bulgaria for a period of up to 90 days within a six-month period. Passports must be valid for at least three months after entry.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK passport holders, endorsed British Citizen, do not need a visa to visit Bulgaria for a period of up to 90 days in a six-month period. Passports should be valid for the period of intended stay. Other UK passport holders require a visa and a passport that is valid for at least six months.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians do not need a visa to visit Bulgaria for a period of up to 90 days within a six-month period. A passport valid for at least three months after entry is required.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians do not need a visa to visit Bulgaria for a period of up to 90 days within a six-month period. A passport valid for at least three months after entry is required.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans need a visa to enter Bulgaria. A passport valid for at least six months on entry is required and a visa will only be issued if blank pages are available.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealanders do not require a visa for a maximum stay of 90 days within a six-month period. A valid passport valid for at least three months on entry is required.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals do not need a visa to visit Bulgaria for a period of up to 90 days within a six-month period. A passport valid for the period of intended stay is required.
Passport/Visa Note: Visitors must have proof of sufficient funds or onward or return tickets in addition to other documents needed for the next destination. Valid health insurance is required. All visitors to Bulgaria must register as foreigners at a local police station within five days of arrival. This registration is usually done as a matter of course through the hotel or accommodation establishment. Visitors are advised to check this, as a dated registration slip has to be submitted when leaving the country. Immigration and entry regulations are very strictly enforced. Passports of all visitors should be valid for at least six months on entry for those requiring a visa, and three months on entry for visa exempt nationals other than those from EU countries, whose passports must be valid for period of stay.
Otherwise, all except the following require entry visas to Bulgaria:
Nationals of EU countries for stays of up to 90 days within each six-month period (except nationals of Estonia, Ireland and the UK, who may stay for up to 30 days within a six-month period);
Nationals of Chile, Iceland, Malaysia and Norway for stays of up to 90 days within a six-month period;
Nationals of Andorra, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Switzerland, and Vatican City for stays of up to 30 days within each six-month period;
Nationals of Croatia, Korea (Rep), Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), San Marino and Tunisia.
Note: Nationals of Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Sudan must apply for an airport transit visa and may not leave the airport transit lounge. They need to present a valid flight reservation to get the visa.
Validity: Single-entry visas for tourist visits are normally valid for three months from date of issue for a maximum stay of 30 days. Multiple-entry visas are for business visits and are normally valid for three months from date of issue. Transit: Up to 24 hours.
The Bulgarian visas are issued by the Bulgarian embassies and consulates abroad, not at the airports or the land and sea passport control points in Bulgaria. Visa application requirements may include but are not limited to:
Valid passport;
Application form;
One passport-size photo;
Return ticket or documentation for next destination;
Fee, payable in cash or by postal order only;
Proof of sufficient funds (at least 50 USD a day);
Proof of paid fare for onward destination;
For motor vehicle transit, proof of an extra 200 USD for each entry;
Proof of a secured return trip;
For business visits: Letters from the applicant's company and from the Bulgarian business partner, endorsed by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce;
For private visits: A letter of invitation by a Bulgarian citizen endorsed by the local authorities.
Please see this website for a list of all Bulgarian embassies abroad.
Please Read Before Commenting: We are not the official Bulgarian Consulate, and therefore we cannot answer your specific questions about Bulgarian visas. WE DO NOT ISSUE INVITATION LETTERS! Please direct all questions to the Bulgarian Consulate in your country. Thank you.
Comments
Essa from Oman Reply
I am an Omani passport holder, I want to spend a few weeks in Bulgaria, we don't have embassy in Muscat. How can I get the entry visa of Bulgaria and what documents shell I bring. Also how many days it will take to issue visa.
Ari from Iran Reply
I have got British travel document I want to visit Bulgaria for holiday how can I get visa thanks
scarlet from Philippines Reply
I have a husband Bulgarian we are married here in the Philippines I wanted to know what requirements needed for tourist visa to go there
Khuram Zee from United Kingdom Reply
i have girl friend in bulgaria citizen she wants come to me in uk i want which things she need to travel for uk will she have to pay in police station before travel or any health insurence because she has european union card and bulgaria passport so please help me
JD from South Africa Reply
Read people!! it states quite clearly (Albeit in small bold text) that this is not an official Bulgarian Consulate, it is merely a website informing you of any Passport/Visa requirements needed to visit Bulgaria. Some of these questions really make me wonder if said individual should actually be allowed into Bulgaria ...lol
m. matt from United States Reply
I am an Indian residing in UAE. I have a valid multiple Schengen visa , and I need to go to Bulgaria for a business visit , do I need a separate visa or the Schengen I have will be ok?
Vincent Atta-Fynn from Ghana Reply
I need to visit Bulgaria for a business trip before the end of February 2013. I live and work in Ghana. What do I do?
Erick Asante from Ghana Reply
Please l'v been invited by a friend of Bulgarian citizen to pay a visit at Bulgarial and l want to no what to do to apply a visa
Comfort Yeboah from Ghana Reply
i have been invited by a friend of mine,who is citizen of Bulgarian,i want to know things i need to bring for an interview. thank you.
Dima from United States Reply
I am a permanent US resident, not a citizen. I'm a green card holder. Do I need a visa for Bulgaria? Citizen of Ukraine
iqbal sngh from India Reply
I have a multiple Schengen visa , and I need to go to Bulgaria for a business visit , do I need a separate visa or the Schengen I have will be ok?
tom from Bulgaria Reply
I could not stop laughing as the questions keep coming even though no one is answering them!!!
usman arshad from Cyprus Reply
hi i live in north cyprus and i am student here and i want to visit in bulgaria so please help me how can i submit my application form because in north cyprus have no bulgarian embassy!!!
hussein from Lebanon Reply
Dear. I have a multiple Schengen visa , and I need to go to Bulgaria for a business visit , do I need a separate visa or the Schengen I have will be ok? If no, what kinds of documents do I need to apply for a business visa, and how long it takes to finish it .? Your prompt reply is highly appreciated . Regards. Hussein Mawloud
D.Meisslein from Egypt Reply
Dear Editior, kindly assist me with a simple question to which I am not getting an answer from the BG Embassy though trying several times. I am a German National working abroad, my wife is Russian and has a multible Schengen Visa. The question is, does she needs a seperate Visa for BG or can she enter with the Schengen Visa. Thank you for clarifying this for me.
loıda bannaue from Philippines Reply
i am a phılıppıne passport holder and ı want to go ın bulgarıa for 3days then come back ın ıstanbul.what document do i need to get vısa ın bulgarıa.pls help me..
S. MOMOH from Nigeria Reply
PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE VISA REQUIREMENTS IN IF SOMEONE WANT TO TRAVEL TO BULGARIA FOR BUSINESS AND THE VISA FEE. THANKS. MOMOH.
umar taffail from Pakistan Reply
sir, i want to go bul .now i live in cyprus, and my wife she is from bulgaria so how can i go bul from pakistan.which paper i need to go she also coming with me pakistan.please guide me
irina from Ireland Reply
hi i want to ask do i need a visa to bulgaria if i am a travel document holder?please if any body can help me with that...thanks
Kiki from South Africa Reply
Why don't people read. It clearly states that this is not a site for visa enquiries. Contact the relevant consulate or embassy and ask them what the requirements are! You are wasting your time on this site.
ALEX from Bulgaria Reply
Shortly BULGARIA will entry the SCHENGEN the end of this year and therefore issuing of the visas will become more and more difficult.It is not enough to say I want to VISIT BULGARIA as a TOURIST is a very beautiful country,etc....funny things.Many of the applicant for visas have another purpose.
ALEX from Bulgaria Reply
First,for Mr.GULSAMIN remmember : possesing of VISA for Bulgaria 1996 does not give you automatic right for entry the state BORDER GUARD has the right to deny entry if you could not have enough money to cover your stay,hotel reservation,return ticket,etc...or simply you are SUSPICIOUS.THEY HAVE AUTOMATIC RIGHT TO DENT ENTRY.And that is according EU regulations,and not only EU,but and USA,CANADA...For the others people: shortly BULGARIA will entry the SCHENGEN the end of this year and therefore issuing of the visas will become more and more difficult.It is not enough to say I want to VISIT BULGARIA as a TOURIST is a very beautiffully country,etc....funny things.
Junaid Ur Rehman from Pakistan Reply
hi i from pakistan now i m working in malaysia. I every day working so my work is so easy and i enjoy the work now i 4 years finished ready in malaysia i happy my work my company give me holiday and return ticket to go any europe country enjoy the holidays i chose Bulgaria because is so beautiful country please give comment how to apply. tnx
Abdelhadi from United Arab Emirates Reply
Want to ask if there is a Bulgarian embassy in Abu Dhabi? Because I am working in Abu Dhabi and want to issue visa? How many days u need to issue the visa to BG? If there is not an embassy in Abu Dhabi can I send my documents (passport, photos, fees etc..) With a friend to give it you for getting the visa, Because my working in Abu Dhabi and offshore so I have not time to come to Dubai, and my working is rotation (one month in the Island and one o=month leave)? I appreciated you if u answer me as soon as possible> Regards
Ahmaduuu from United Arab Emirates Reply
Iam holding a jordanian travel document, and iam investor in UAE, so i just wana know if i required a visa to visit Bulgaria and how long the processing may take.
Fidan from Macedonia Reply
I am from Macedoinia.I have Deutschlands visa for 3 years,and i live in Deutschland ,can i go in Bulgaria with Deutschlands Visa
shabbir ahmed from Pakistan Reply
I shabbir ahmed, Holder of Pakistani Passport, served in U.A.E. as a graphics Designer. Please tell me whats requirement for Bulgaria Visa
bob from United States Reply
hi there guys i have one question. i'm macedonian i have green card living in usa so now i wona go bac to macedonia but i wonna c firs some friend in bulgaria for 1 day do i nean a visa from here from the casnsolat or i can take visa in bulgaria on the airoport. btw i was student in bulgaria so i did have a bulgarian id but expire so im not a bulgarian citizen stil :)) so pls some one to help me i live in delcevo macedonia so thatas closer to sofia than skopje thanks guys for u r time
Sofia Life from Bulgaria Reply
Dear readers, We are not at all associated with the Bulgarian consulate or government, we only provide tourist information. Please do not ask us for visas or visa information as we have nothing to do with granting visas. - The Sofia Life Team
Ahmed M. from Nigeria Reply
There is rumor that the Bulgarian Consular at the Bulgarian Embassy in Maitama Abuja was fired for marketing approved applicants' visas. Please confirm it as I think I am a victim.
Irfan Willaim khokhar from Pakistan Reply
Respected Sir/ Madam ! with due regard it is stated that my name is Irfan William khokhar ,i just want to know whether a schengen visa is valid to visit to Bulgaria or not. and if its not valid then what i have to do to have visa for Bulgaria. and which sort invitation would be required to Bulgaria from my host .kindly do let me know about the all proceeder & text to apply for it..swift response would be highly appreciated. Best Regards . irfan william
Anosh from United States Reply
Nice web page... but why full country list is not here... as I am writing from Afghanistan, but the Afghanistan name is not on the list. You can even find Pakistan name but not Afghanistan. That is not so good
Mohamed from United Kingdom Reply
Hi i live in the uk and i have definite time to live here until 2010. Before 2010 my stamp will be renewed until i get my british passport. At the moment i have a kenyan passport. I have all the rights to live and work in the UK. My girfriend is a bulgarian citizen and i would like to apply for a visa. I will be staying with my girlfriends parents. How should i go about applying for the visa
Sofia Life from Bulgaria Reply
Nigerian embassy information: http://www.mfa.bg/abuja/ Nigeria, Abuja No 10, Euphrates street, off Aminu Kano Crescent Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria tel: 00234 9 413 00 34 fax: 00234 9 413 27 41 е-mail : bulembassy@yahoo.com Please direct all of your questions directly to them!
Ivich from Bulgaria Reply
Can you people read?!? They won't answer your questions, it's a travel website not the Bulgarian embassy!! If you took the time to actually READ the stuff above, specifically right above the comments, you'd see that they won't help you! Stop commenting wiht questions and READ and you wont be wasting your time!
Tokunbo Fagboye from Canada Reply
You desperate Nigerians are really a bunch of ridiculous desperadoes.You wanna travel to bulgaria to do what.Yall believe western countries are laden with gold .Get a life you fraudsters
Abiodun from Nigeria Reply
I will advise everyone to make a details search on the net before posting. I strongly believe Bulgarians are not as bad as being stipulated. They are expected to follow the EU status to keep their membership alive.
Sofia Life from Bulgaria Reply
Hello, Once again please direct your specific visa questions to your embassy. Thank you.
KOLA from Nigeria Reply
Have always been going to the embassy in Abuja, but no one to give neccessary information, even,the information on the notice board outside is not up-to-date. The security are not trained to give infor. to anyone.The worst is tha the consular himself with his wife always chase one.To me they are racist.We go to other embassies, we know how we have been attended to,and how they welcome us.but he doesnt at all.This is not encouraging at all.Maybe they are doing that as a result of their old age, no one knows.Both the consular and his wife should change their attitude toward Nigerians.We're humans and not as they thought
Lindsay from South Africa Reply
I am a south African citizen living and working in Afghanistan for 1 year now I want to visit Bulgaria which is the closest place I can get a visa in Afghanistan and do I need one at all
Sofia Life from Bulgaria Reply
Hi, we are not an embassy nor do we have direct information to embassies. Please visit the website mentioned above. For information about the Bulgarian Embassy in Nigeria and Nigeria visas, please write the embassy itself: NIGERIA, ABUJA Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria 10, Euphrates Street, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Maitama Tel.: (+234 9) 413 00 34; 413 00 35 Fax:: (+234 9) 413 27 41 e-mail: bulgarian@nigtel.com Consular Office e-mail: bgconsul@nigtel.com
Sofia Life from Bulgaria Reply
Hello, we are a travel guide, not an embassy, and cannot respond to all specific questions about visas or required documents. Please visit the website above and contact the Bulgarian embassy in your country (or the closest one) directly.
Ruby Gutierrez from Philippines Reply
I was informed that if you hold Schengen and Romanian visas you will not need to get a Bulgarian visa. Pls. adv. Thank you.
Aykut from Turkey Reply
Hi, My Serbian girl friend wants to travel from Belgrad to Istanbul by bus . According to new laws after January 1, 2007, she wants to know what she needs to get a transit visa for Bulgaria. Would you please let us know what kind of documents she needs including transit visa cost? Thanks
Sofia Life Team from Bulgaria Reply
Samuel, here is the contact information for the Bulgarian Embassy in Baku: EMBASSY OF BULGARIA Address: Baku, E.Godjayev Str. 13 Telephone: +994 (12) 441 43 81, 441 41 38 Fax: +994 (12) 440 81 82, 448 26 46 e-mail: balkan@bg.embassy.in-baku.com yuksel@bulgaria.embassy.in-baku.com
Samuel from Nigeria Reply
Dear Sir, I will like to know the phone number and the contact address of the bg embassy in Azerbaijan as my wife in bg is wanting to send an invitation letter to the bg embassy in azerbaijan. Can you please hint me of the following documents that i will submit when applying for the visa. Hope to hear frm u
Ajibola from Nigeria Reply
Please let me know the visa requiremets in Nigeria.If somone want to go to Bulgaria for of a business.And also the visa fee.Lastly the address of the embassy because the embassy has been relocated to Abuja,Nigeria.
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