The application process
How to apply and the national long-stay routes for Bulgaria.
9 Bulgarian resources in this topic
Requirements & how-to guidance
- How to apply for a Bulgaria visaGuidance
How a short-stay Schengen visa and a Bulgaria national long-stay visa are applied for, with links to the official guidance.
- Bulgaria national long-stay visas (Type D)Guidance
An overview of Bulgaria's national long-stay (Type D) visas for stays over 90 days.
- Documents for a Bulgaria visa applicationGuidance
The core documents Bulgaria requires for a national long-stay (Type D) visa, before you convert it to a residence permit inside the country.
- Fees for a Bulgaria visa applicationGuidance
Bulgaria charges its national long-stay (Type D) visa fee by the legal ground of the visa, and residence-permit issuance is charged separately by the Migration Directorate.
- Processing times for a Bulgaria visa applicationGuidance
Bulgaria's national process runs in two stages: the Type D visa decision at the consulate abroad, then a fast residence-permit decision by the Migration Directorate after arrival.
- Eligibility for a Bulgaria long-stay visaGuidance
Who can apply for Bulgaria's national Type D long-stay visa and residence, and the general conditions the Foreigners Act sets for third-country nationals.
- Bulgaria's immigration authorityGuidance
Two official bodies run Bulgaria's national process: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Type D visas abroad) and the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior (residence in Bulgaria).
- Appointments and biometrics for a Bulgaria applicationGuidance
Where and how appointments and biometrics work across Bulgaria's two stages: the consular interview abroad, then in-person biometrics at the Migration Directorate.
- After you arrive in BulgariaGuidance
How to convert a Type D visa into a Bulgarian residence permit, meet address-registration duties, and get the residence card after entering the country.