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Bulgaria visa requirements

Most foreign nationals must obtain a Bulgaria Schengen Visa before traveling to Bulgaria for tourism, business, study, or work. Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, and Australia are exempt from this requirement for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. However, visa-exempt nationals must apply for an ETIAS once it's implemented in late 2026.

Citizens of EU and EEA member states don't require a visa and enjoy full freedom of movement.

General Bulgaria visa requirements are:

  • Passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure date from the Schengen Area and issued within the last 10 years
  • Completed and signed visa application form
  • Recent passport-size photo meeting Schengen requirements
  • Travel details (such as flight reservation and accommodation address)
  • Proof of sufficient financial means for the duration of stay
  • Travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 within the Schengen Area
  • Proof of purpose of travel

Bulgaria visas available through iVisa

  • Bulgaria Schengen Visa
  • ETIAS for Bulgaria (coming soon)*
  • Airport Transit Visa (Type A)*
  • National Visa (Type D)*
  • Digital Nomad Visa*

Bulgaria Schengen Visa

Purpose: The Bulgaria Schengen Visa (Type C) is for travelers visiting Bulgaria for tourism, business trips, short-term study, or visiting friends and family.

When to apply: It’s recommended to apply at least three to four weeks in advance. You can apply up to six months before your departure, but no later than 15 days prior.

Duration and extensions: The visa allows for a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Extensions are only granted in exceptional cases, such as medical emergencies or force majeure.

Entries: Depending on your travel history and needs, it’s issued for single, double, or multiple entries. Frequent travelers may receive a multiple-entry visa valid for one to five years.

Ports of entry: Holders can enter through any international airport—such as Sofia (SOF), Varna (VAR), or Burgas (BOJ)—as well as land borders with Turkey, Serbia, and North Macedonia.

Delivery format: The visa is a physical sticker affixed to your passport. You must attend an in-person appointment at a visa application center or consulate to provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo).

ETIAS for Bulgaria (coming soon)*

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is not a visa. It's a pre-travel authorization that will be required for visa-exempt travelers entering Bulgaria and the Schengen Area.

Travelers from visa-free countries (e.g., the US, UK, Canada, Australia) can visit for tourism, business, or transit. The stay limit is 90 days within a 180-day period.

  • ETIAS is not yet in force. Once implemented, it will be mandatory for visa-exempt travelers to enter Bulgaria.

Airport Transit Visa (Type A)*

For travelers from specific visa-required countries passing through the international transit area of a Bulgarian airport without entering the country. It’s strictly for the duration of the layover.

*We currently don’t offer this visa.

National Visa (Type D)*

A mandatory long-term visa for stays exceeding 90 days. It serves as the prerequisite for applying for a residence permit. It’s typically valid for 6 or 12 months and is required for students, employees, and those seeking family reunification.

*We currently don’t offer this visa.

Digital Nomad Visa*

A specialized Type D visa for remote workers employed by companies outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland. Applicants must prove a specified annual income. It's valid for 1 year and can be extended once for a total of two years.

*We currently don’t offer this visa.

Bulgaria visa prices and processing times

Bulgaria Schengen Visa

Prices starting from $399.99

Valid for 3 months after issued
Single entry
Stay up to 90 days per entry
Get it as fast as 15 minutes

Bulgaria visa quick facts

iVisa approval rate

99%

Main reason for denials

Missing documents

Average time it takes to apply

30 minutes

Our Bulgaria visa application process

1

Complete your online application

Answer a few simple questions to find out whether you need a Bulgaria Schengen Visa or another Bulgarian document. Then, upload your documents and pay securely. You can save your progress and come back anytime. Most people finish in less than 10 minutes.

We’ll guide you through any unclear questions during the application process.

2

We review your application

The Bulgarian visa system is known for being tricky – your photo must be the right size, and your passport scan must be clear.

Don’t worry; we will review your application to see if anything might cause delays. One of our experts checks everything for errors or missing information to make sure it’s ready to go. This review is quick but thorough.

3

We submit it for government processing

We’re not the Bulgarian government, but we submit your application to them and are here for you along the way if there are any problems.

4

Get your Bulgaria visa

We’ll email your approved Bulgarian visa and let you know how to use it for your trip.

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Why choose iVisa?

Applying for a visa on your own can be confusing and time-consuming. iVisa simplifies the process, reduces errors, and gives you peace of mind.

Benefit

Applying by yourself

iVisa
Simple, easy forms Not included Included
24x7 support from visa experts Not included Included
Error detection to prevent rejections Not included Included
World's easiest passport scan Not included Included
Multiple payment methods Not included Included

1.4M happy customers

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10 years of experience

98%  visa approval rate

Bulgaria visa FAQs

What travelers commonly ask about Bulgaria visas.

The Schengen Visa is usually valid for stays of up to 90 days.

The “90/180-rule” means you can stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days total within any continuous 180-day window. The 180-day period is not fixed, it is counted backward from each day you are in the Schengen Area. Example:

  • You enter the Schengen Area on January 1
  • You stay for 30 days and leave on January 30
  • In the last 180 days, you’ve used 30 days
  • You still have 60 days left to use If you later return:
  • You stay 40 more days
  • Now you’ve used 70 days total
  • You only have 20 days left until older days “drop off” the 180-day window
  • Leaving the Schengen Area “resets” nothing - only time does

Bulgaria offers several visa types depending on the length and purpose of stay. These include the Schengen Visa (Type C) for short stays, national visas for longer stays, residence permits for long-term living, airport transit visas, and the upcoming ETIAS travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers.

ETIAS is an upcoming electronic travel authorization that will be required for travelers from visa-free countries entering Bulgaria and the Schengen Area. It is not a visa and will allow short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period once implemented.

Yes. A valid Schengen Visa issued by Bulgaria allows travel to all Schengen countries, as long as the stay does not exceed the 90/180-day limit.

Our team works with a legal partner specializing in Schengen Visa. They will review your application to ensure its accuracy and completeness. Once the authorities approve it, you’ll receive an email with the next steps.

A Bulgaria Schengen Visa (Type C) is a visa required for travelers from visa-required countries. It must be obtained through a Bulgarian embassy or consulate before travel. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is not a visa, but an online travel authorization for travelers from visa-exempt countries. Once implemented, it will be applied for online before departure and will allow short stays in Bulgaria and the Schengen Area. ETIAS is faster and simpler to obtain than a visa but does not permit long-term stays or employment and does not replace a Schengen Visa for travelers who are required to have one.

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