Visas
– Visas
Bulgaria applies the common visa policy of the European Union.
In other words, holders of Schengen visas have the right to enter Bulgaria. Accordingly, they can stay on the territory for no more than 3 months within each 6-month period starting from the first entry date without the need to hold a Bulgarian visa.
A visа application form can be downloaded from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria. It can be also filled in at the diplomatic and consular offices of Bulgaria in the country concerned.
Types of visas
Type A visa - For airport transit
Type C visa - For short stay for transit or planned stay. For example, Bulgaria tourist visa.
Type D visa - For long-term stay- For instance, Bulgaria work visa which is for up to 9 months.
The only exception is the temporary employment permit (less than 3 months) for the restaurant, hotel, agriculture and fisheries sectors and is considered a visa type C.
On entry into Bulgaria, the foreign national should have a regular foreign travel document as well as a visa where one is required.
Bulgaria tourist visa
Bulgaria issues a tourist visa for a stay of 90 days.
The applicant for a tourist visа must have:
– A valid foreign travel document
For individual (unorganized) tourism
1. Hotel reservation
2. Proof of possession of means for travel and residence.
For organised tourism in Bulgaria
1. Travel voucher of the sending tour operator
2. Common list of tourists from one group.
*The documents could be submitted only by accredited tour operators.
Bulgaria business visa
Business visa can be issued to:
1. A foreigner who maintains permanent business contacts with Bulgarian natural or legal persons carrying out business activities within the meaning of the Commercial Law.
2. Representatives of a foreign company that have established a commercial representation in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria study visa
Visa for study in Bulgaria is issued to foreigners admitted as students in Bulgarian higher education institutions.
Bulgaria investment visa
An investment visa for Bulgaria can be issued to a foreigner who has invested in real estate and in shares on the Bulgarian stock exchange in Bulgarian companies.
The Bulgaria visа requirements depend on the purpose and duration of stay.
The classification of visas according to the purpose for which they are issued is in line with that of the Schengen Agreement, namely:
Visa Type "A" - for airport transport
Visa Type "B" - for transit
Visa Type "C" - for short-term residence
Visa Type "D" - for long-term residence
Visas are issued by the diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The application for a visa shall be submitted not earlier than 3 months and not later than 3 days before the date of the planned trip in person.
When submitting an application for a type D visa, no exceptions to the personal interview requirement are allowed.
It is not uncommon for a visa applicant to be denied. However, visa denials are often illegal and incorrect. The legislation and especially the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, are not observed although they are binding on all Member States.
A number of recognized rights under the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms are also neglected. This is a good ground for the refusal to to be appealed to the competent court within the limitation period. Denials related to violated rights are most often appealed, such as:
· right to privacy and family life
· right to marry
· the right of the family to live together
· right to education
· right to work
· right to protection of property, etc
If you want to appeal against a refusal to issue a visa, it is advisable to turn to a specialist in this matter of law. Winning such a case most often depends on the knowledge of the lawyer in both
Bulgarian and European laws and the case law of the Court of Justice.
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