Bulgarian visa resources
Documents for a Bulgaria visa application
The core documents Bulgaria requires for a national long-stay (Type D) visa, before you convert it to a residence permit inside the country.
Important
Bulgaria's national long-stay visa (Type D) is the entry route for third-country nationals who intend to settle in Bulgaria for a long term or permanently. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the application is lodged only at the Bulgarian diplomatic or consular mission serving your country of permanent residence, and a personal interview is mandatory for every Type D applicant.
Beyond the standard identity and travel-document items listed below, Bulgarian legislation recognises many separate grounds for a Type D visa (for example work, study, family reunification, retirement or investment). Each ground carries its own additional supporting documents, so always confirm the exact list for your route with the consulate before your interview.
Standard documents (all Type D applicants)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sets out a common core for every long-stay application:
- A completed Type D national visa application form (available on the MFA website)
- A passport/travel document with the validity and blank pages the mission requires, plus photocopies of the data page and any previous Bulgarian or Schengen visas/permits
- A recent colour photograph (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm) against a light background
- A medical/travel insurance policy valid for the whole period of stay, issued by an EU-licensed insurer, with a minimum cover of 30,000
- Proof of the purpose of stay and, where applicable, proof of accommodation and sufficient means of subsistence
Route-specific documents
Because Bulgaria issues Type D visas on many separate legal grounds, the consulate will ask for evidence tied to yours, for example:
- Employment routes: the relevant work authorisation / single-permit decision or employer documentation
- Study routes: a certificate of enrolment from the Bulgarian educational institution
- Family reunification: documents proving the family relationship and the sponsor's legal residence
- Financial evidence appropriate to your ground of stay
Formalities
- Documents not in Bulgarian generally need an accompanying translation; check the mission's legalisation/apostille rules
- Attend the compulsory personal interview in person
- Applications may be submitted up to three months before the intended travel date
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.