Bulgaria
General visa requirements for travelling to Bulgaria. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Work / Immigration visa (Long-Stay Visa (Type D) - EU Blue Card)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 35 business days
- Fee
- EUR 100 (6-month visa) or EUR 200 (12-month visa)
- Validity
- Up to 4 years
- Entry
- Multiple entry
EU Blue Card for highly skilled workers. Valid for up to 4 years. Requires higher education qualifications or equivalent professional experience. No labor market test required for Blue Card applications in Bulgaria. Minimum gross salary of BGN 2,400 per month required. Foreign degrees must be formally recognized by NACID (National Centre for Information and Documentation).
Eligibility
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Nationality
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals with higher education qualifications or equivalent professional experience
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Employment
Must have an employment contract or binding job offer from a Bulgarian employer for at least 6 months with a minimum gross salary of BGN 2,400 per month. No labor market test required.
Required status: Employment contract with minimum BGN 2,400 monthly salary
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Financial
Minimum gross salary of BGN 2,400 per month (Blue Card salary threshold)
Minimum funds: BGN 2,400 per month
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Criminal record
Must provide criminal record certificate
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
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Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: 35mm x 45mm, color, light background, face covering 70-80% of photo, taken within last 6 months
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Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Rental agreement or employer-provided housing confirmation; Must cover full stay: Yes
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Long-Stay Visa Application Form (Type D); Form url: https://www.mfa.bg/upload/99380/2_Visa_D.pdf
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash, bank transfer; Amount: EUR 100 (6-month) or EUR 200 (12-month)
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Academic transcript
Provide academic records for the course, qualification or training route.
Must be notarized: Yes; Must be translated: Yes
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Good conduct certificate
Issuing authority: Issuing authority; Validity months: 6
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Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: Yes
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Private health insurance
Coverage territory: European Union member states; Minimum coverage: EUR 30,000
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Secure employment contract or binding offer from a Bulgarian employer for at least 6 months. Have foreign diploma recognized by NACID (National Centre for Information and Documentation).
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Fee payment
Pay EUR 100 for 6-month visa or EUR 200 for 12-month visa
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Appointment booking
Schedule in-person appointment at the Bulgarian diplomatic mission
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Document submission
Submit all documents in person. Personal interview is mandatory.
-
Processing wait
Processing takes up to 35 business days for the Type D visa
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Visa collection
Collect passport with long-stay visa. After arrival in Bulgaria, apply for EU Blue Card residence permit.
Work / Immigration visa (Long-Stay Visa (Type D) - Work / Single Residence and Work Permit)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 10-30 days (work permit) + 35 business days (Type D visa)
- Fee
- EUR 100 (6-month visa) or EUR 200 (12-month visa)
- Validity
- Up to 3 years (work permit validity)
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Long-stay visa (Type D) for employment in Bulgaria. Requires prior approval of a Single Residence and Work Permit by the Migration Directorate, which the employer must apply for. Employer must pass a labor market test through the Bulgarian Employment Agency. Work permit valid for up to 3 years. Processing of work permit takes 10-30 days, then Type D visa processing takes up to 35 business days. Worker has 20 days after work permit approval to file for Type D visa.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals with a valid employment contract from a Bulgarian employer
-
Employment
Must have an approved Single Residence and Work Permit from the Bulgarian Migration Directorate. Employer must pass labor market test through Bulgarian Employment Agency.
Required status: Approved work permit
-
Criminal record
Must provide criminal record certificate from home country or country of recent residence
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: 35mm x 45mm, color, light background, face covering 70-80% of photo, taken within last 6 months
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Rental agreement or employer-provided housing confirmation; Must cover full stay: Yes
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Long-Stay Visa Application Form (Type D); Form url: https://www.mfa.bg/upload/99380/2_Visa_D.pdf
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash, bank transfer; Amount: EUR 100 (6-month) or EUR 200 (12-month)
-
Good conduct certificate
Issuing authority: Issuing authority; Validity months: 6
-
Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: Yes
-
Private health insurance
Coverage territory: European Union member states, minimum 3 months coverage or until residence card is issued; Minimum coverage: EUR 30,000
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Bulgarian employer files application for Single Residence and Work Permit with the Migration Directorate, including labor market test from Bulgarian Employment Agency. Takes 10-30 days.
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Fee payment
Pay EUR 100 for 6-month visa or EUR 200 for 12-month visa
-
Appointment booking
Schedule in-person appointment within 20 days of work permit approval at the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in applicant's country of residence
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Document submission
Submit all documents in person. Personal interview is mandatory.
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Processing wait
Type D visa processing takes up to 35 business days, up to 60 days in complex cases
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Visa collection
Collect passport with long-stay visa sticker