Long-Stay Visa (Type D) - EU Blue Card
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
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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
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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.
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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.