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Information
for Visitors to the
Republic
of
Bulgaria
A
Bulgarian visa (entry or transit) may be obtained at the Bulgarian Embassy in
Washington
,
DC
www.bulgaria-embassy.org ; at the
respective Consulate General covering the state the applicant resides in; at any
Bulgarian Embassy or Consular Office in other countries. Citizens of some
countries, including the
United States
and
Canada
, traveling on regular passports, are not required visas for a stay in
Bulgaria
not exceeding 90 days within 6 months from the date of first arrival but they
should be able, upon request, to show evidence of a medical
insurance, valid for
Bulgaria
, covering the duration of their stay. Citizens of most EU countries are not
required visas for a stay in
Bulgaria
not exceeding 90 days. If planning to stay more than 30 (90) days, or traveling
on diplomatic or official passport, a visa is required and must be obtained in
advance.
US
citizens with regular passports, intending to stay longer than 90 days, need
visas. Visas for them are free of charge (under a reciprocal Bulgarian
- US agreement) but a $25
processing fee (money order) is collected per passport and items 1,
2, 3,
6, 8 of the Visa Requirements (listed here-under) apply. Applicants for
long term (D type) visa should apply at the respective Consulate in person.
US
travelers on diplomatic or official passports need a visa and have to obtain one
in advance, free of charge and free of fees. Items 1,
2, 3, 6 of the Visa
Requirements apply, plus a note or a letter from the pertinent Agency.
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Upon
entry in Bulgaria all foreign nationals, except EU citizens, will be required to
fill out a form /at the respective point of entry/ providing information about
the purpose of their travel to Bulgaria and the address of stay in the country.
The
foreign nationals traveling transit through the territory of the
Republic
of
Bulgaria
will not be required to fill out the form. All transit travelers are allowed to
stay in the country for up to 24 hours from the time of arrival.
Within
5 days from arrival all foreigners who are not staying in a hotel should be
registered with the local police by the person they are staying with.
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Visa-free
countries
The
citizens of the following countries do not need visas to visit or transit
through the Republic of Bulgaria for a maximum period in days indicated in the
brackets: Andorra (30), Australia (30), Austria (90), Belgium (90), Canada (30),
Chile (90), Cyprus (90), Croatia (90), Czech Republic (90), Denmark (90),
Estonia (90), Finland (90), France (90), Greece (90), Germany (90), Hungary
(90), Ireland (30), Iceland (90), Israel (30), Italy (90), Japan (30), Korea
(90), Liechtenstein (90), Latvia (90), Lithuania (90), Luxembourg (90), Malta
(90), Monaco (30), Norway (90), Netherlands (90), New Zealand (30), Poland
(30), Portugal (90), Romania (30), San Marino (90), Slovenia (90), Slovakia(30),
Spain (90), Sweden (90), Switzerland (90), United Kingdom (30), United States of
America (90), Vatican (30), and United Nations passport holders (30). Those
foreigners who wish to stay in
Bulgaria
longer than the period indicated in the brackets have to apply for a long-term
stay visa at the Embassy if they are intending to work, study, teach, doing
business or coming for permanent family reunion.
Non
US citizens, nationals of countries not listed above, are expected to provide an
invitation from a Bulgarian host (on a standard form, provided by the local
municipality) or business partner (on a standard form, provided by the Bulgarian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and a letter from their company or institution
in the US if they are traveling for business. IF IN DOUBT ABOUT THE VISA
REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR PARTICULAR CASE, PLEASE CONTACT THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
Transit
visas grant stay in
Bulgaria
of 24 hours or less. Airline tickets and evidence of right of entry into the
next country of travel will be required.
Possession
of airline tickets does not guarantee the granting of an entry visa. Travel
arrangements and costs are solely at the applicant’s risk. Individuals who do
not possess national passports may travel on INS-issued re-entry permits and
refugee travel documents. Possession of a valid visa is mandatory for such
nationals for entry in
Bulgaria
. "Green cards" are not considered travel documents. Visa requirements
are subject to change. Incomplete applications, absence of photos or inadequate
payment result in return of application to sender without further action.
As
of December 1, 2001, medical
insurance, covering your stay, is required. If you are traveling with pets
you should have a certificate of veterinarian examination carried out within one
week before departure as well as certificate of rabies shot made during the last
six months.
Motor
vehicle insurance can be arranged at the Bulgarian border point of entry. For
motorists a national driving license is required.
VISA
REQUIREMENTS
1.
Valid passport or Travel Document (at least 6 months remaining validity is
required);
2.
Visa Application Form, fully completed
3.
One passport size photo;
4.
Copy of the Green Card or other proof of status in the
US
, if applicable;
5.
Invitation from a Bulgarian host (on standard form, provided by the local
authorities)
6.
Self-addressed stamped envelope;
7.
Visa fee - fees (money order, cash, checks other than personal) are collected at
the time of application.
(Personal
checks and credit cards are not accepted)
8.
Medical Insurance - Upon entering the country
the visitor must have travel/medical insurance, covering emergency medical
expenses, repatriation, transportation of mortal remains, funeral,
hospitalization. The coverage should be for at least $5000. If the visitor has
an insurance of this type, valid for Bulgaria, a copy of the policy (with
legible policy number, company name, duration of validity and sum of coverage)
or a letter from the insurance company containing these data, should be
submitted upon application. If the applicant has no such insurance, he/she can
apply for a visa without it, but the insurance should be obtained after the
Consular Officer informs the applicant that the visa request is approved. The
visa will then be issued as soon as the applicant submits a copy of the
insurance policy (with legible policy number, company name, duration of validity
and sum of coverage) or a letter from the insurance company containing these
data, by fax (202-234-7973), by mail or in person.
VISA
FEES
Single
entry visas:
•
$60 (regular processing)
•
$80 (priority processing - application will be processed by the Officer
instantly, which, however, does not guarantee that the issuance will be faster
in all cases, as it depends on the circumstances of each case and also on other
agencies involved)
Transit
visas $50
Double
transit visa $75
Long-term
visa $60
Diplomatic
and official visas are free of charge.
Single
entry visas are valid for entering
Bulgaria
not later than 3 months of the date of issue.
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