Learn More: Bulgaria Schengen Visa
- DOCUMENT OVERVIEW. The Schengen visa is a short stay visa required for nationalities who are not eligible for visa-free travel in the 26 member countries of the Schengen area.
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Can I enter the Schengen Area with a Bulgarian visa?
Currently Bulgaria issues national visas only. Those visas do not give their holders the right to enter the Schengen area, but they can use them to enter Romania, Croatia or Cyprus (for the terms and conditions, please ask the nearest respective embassy).
Where can I go with a Schengen visa?
List of Non-EU countries where you can GO with a Schengen Visa 1 Albania 2 Antigua and Barbuda 3 Belarus 4 Bosnia and Herzegovina 5 Bulgaria 6 Colombia 7 Costa Rica 8 Croatia 9 Cyprus 10 Georgia More items...
What is the validity of a Bulgarian Tourist Visa?
its validity expires at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or in case of multiple visits – after the last scheduled date of departure from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria; has been issued within the last 10 years.
Does Bulgaria use Schengen visa?
Bulgaria and the European Union's Common Visa Policy Currently Bulgaria issues national visas only. Those visas do not give their holders the right to enter the Schengen area, but they can use them to enter Romania, Croatia or Cyprus (for the terms and conditions, please ask the nearest respective embassy).
Do I need visa to go to Bulgaria?
You can travel to Bulgaria for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit for family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
When did Bulgaria join Schengen?
If by 2023 Bulgaria joins the Schengen, then you will either need an ETIAS if you currently travel visa-free, or you will likely need a Schengen visa if you currently require a Bulgarian visa for short tourism or business visits.
Which country give Schengen visa?
These countries are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
How can I get Bulgarian visa?
Bulgaria Visa Requirements. When submitting a Bulgaria visa application, you must have several required documents, such as: Bulgaria visa application form, completed in typed letters and signed. Your passport/travel document, which must have at least two blank pages in order to affix the visa.
How much is Bulgaria visa fee?
The visa application should be submitted at the nearest Bulgarian embassy or consulate. The visa processing time can be anywhere between 7 to 10 working days and a visa application fee of $50 is payable.
Why is Bulgaria not Schengen?
However, Bulgaria does not issue Schengen visas. It issues national visas only which cannot be used to travel to Schengen countries.
Is Bulgaria in Schengen now?
Is Bulgaria a Schengen country? Bulgaria is not currently a Schengen country. The Schengen Area is made up of 22 European Union states, as well as the 4 non-EU states of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland, between which passport-free travel is permitted.
Which is the easiest country to get Schengen visa?
Let us now have a look at the top 10 easiest Schengen to get a visa based on 2020 statisticsBelgium: ... Germany: ... Luxembourg: ... Switzerland: ... Denmark: ... Sweden: ... Iceland: Iceland is a small island known for its beautiful natural attractions like Gullfoss waterfalls and Blue Lagoon. ... Finland:More items...
What are the 4 types of Schengen visas?
What type of Schengen visa do I need?Type A Schengen visa or Airport Transit Visa. ... Type B Schengen visa. ... Type C Schengen visa. ... Type D Schengen visa or national long-stay visa.
Which European visa is easy?
In general, Lithuania is the easiest country to obtain a Schengen Visa from, with officials granting 98.7% of applications.
Which Schengen Visa is longest?
Short stay (type C) Schengen visas are valid for 90 days, but long stay (type D) visas range from 6 months to 5 years.
Do UAE residents need visa to Bulgaria?
Since UAE is one of the countries eligible for an on-arrival countries, UAE nationals don't require a visa to visit Bulgaria.
Who can travel to Europe without visa?
To travel to Europe without a visa, you need a passport with a minimum validity of at least 3 months beyond the period of your expected stay in the region....The European countries that are not part of the Schengen zone are:Albania.Armenia.Azerbaijan.Belarus.Bosnia & Herzegovina.Bulgaria.Croatia.Cyprus.More items...
Can I enter Bulgaria with UK visa?
2021 British citizens may visit Bulgaria visa free for short term stay /up to 90 days in any 180-day period starting from the date of first entry/. The required passport validity is 3 months after the planned departure from Bulgaria.
Can I travel to Bulgaria with US passport?
Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes. As of May 1, 2022, all COVID-19 entry restrictions are lifted. Travelers arriving to Bulgaria no longer must provide COVID-19 related documents to enter the country.
Who submits a visa application for underage persons?
Visa applications for underage persons or persons with limited judicial disability shall be submitted by their legal representatives, trustees or by persons expressly authorized to do so.
What is required to get a D visa?
Proof of housing/accommodation; when applying for D visa, a notarized lease agreement and notarized consent/declaration from the owner, stating that he/she agrees that the applicant will be registered on this address are both requested
How long before travel date do you have to apply for a visa?
Visa applications forms are submitted not earlier than 3 months before the date of the intended travel, personally.
Is Bulgaria a member of Schengen?
In 2014 the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria adopted a decision according to which by the date of Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area, our country will unilaterally apply a visa-free system for holders of valid visas and residence permits issued by Romania, Cyprus and Croatia for a stay of up to 90 days. They will have the right to enter and stay in the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period period , without needing to have a Bulgarian short-stay visa.
Can a foreigner apply for a Bulgarian visa?
A foreign citizen wishing to apply for a Bulgarian visa shall hold a regular travel document that meets the following requirements:
Can a foreigner enter Bulgaria?
A foreigner may enter the Republic of Bulgaria if he/ she is a holder of a regular foreign travel document or another equivalent document as well as a visa if required. The visa sticker could be affixed in an expired travel document as well.
Does Bulgaria issue visas?
General information. Currently Bulgaria issues national visas only. Those visas do not give their holders the right to enter the Schengen area, but they can use them to enter Romania, Croatia or Cyprus (for the terms and conditions, please ask the nearest respective embassy).
When did Bulgaria join the Schengen Area?
June 2011 — Bulgaria’s bid to join the Schengen Area had been approved by the European Parliament but blocked by the Council of Ministers. Some countries had ongoing concerns about corruption and organised crime. August 2018 — Bulgaria gains full access to the Schengen Information System.
Why did Bulgaria delay its entry to the Schengen Area?
Concerns about corruption and organised crime had delayed Bulgaria’s entry to the Schengen Area.
What is ETIAS visa?
ETIAS is a new visa waiver for visa-exempt third-country nationals. Passport holders who do not need a visa to enter countries in the Schengen Area will need to apply for the new travel permit. It will be quick and simple to apply for ETIAS. The process is 100% online and requires just basic personal and passport information.
What are the advantages of joining the Schengen Area?
Other advantages of Schengen membership include: Cross-border police cooperation.
When will Bulgaria join the borderless zone?
An ETIAS travel authorisation could be needed to enter Bulgaria if the country joins Europe's borderless zone as of late 2022.
How many members of the European Parliament are there in Bulgaria?
There are currently 17 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from Bulgaria. Furthermore, representatives from the Bulgarian government constantly attend European Council meetings to discuss EU policy. Bulgaria has yet to adopt the Euro currency.
Does Bulgaria have a Schengen visa?
Bulgaria does not issue Schengen visas. It issues national visas only which cannot be used to travel to Schengen countries. Other visa-free agreements. Holders of visas and residence permits issued by Romania, Cyprus, and Croatia can also stay in Bulgaria without a visa for up to 3 months.
Learn More: Bulgaria Schengen Visa
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW The Schengen visa is a short stay visa required for nationalities who are not eligible for visa-free travel in the 26 member countries of the Schengen area. Holders of the Schengen visa are allowed to travel throughout the Schengen zone for up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you planning a trip to Bulgaria? Have you prepared your travel itinerary? Preparing your travel itinerary before your trip is always beneficial as you have an idea of how to cover most of the popular destinations during your trip. It will save your time and energy so that you can make most of it to ensure your journey a memorable one.
What is Bulgaria's role in Schengen?
In order to meet the Schengen criteria Bulgaria undertook all necessary actions in view of harmonizing immediately the national to the European law, updating our international base of treaties, providing the relevant state-of-the-art technical equipment and infrastructure and enhancing the administrative capacity whereby our country uses the best practice of the EU member states.
When did Bulgaria join the Schengen Area?
According to Article 4 of the Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania, the provisions of the Schengen acquis specified in Annex ІІ to that Act shall be binding on and applicable in the Republic of Bulgaria from the date of accession (1 January 2007 ), while the rest shall be applicable from the date of the Council’s decision on Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area.
How long can a Bulgarian citizen stay in Bulgaria?
They will have the right to enter and reside in the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of no more than three months in any six-month period from the date of the first entry, without needing to have a Bulgarian short-stay visa. The decision entered into force on 31.01.2012.
How long before a visa application is submitted?
Visa applications forms are submitted not earlier than 3 months before the date of the intended travel, personally or through an authorized agent, with the exception of humanitarian cases.
When did Bulgaria join the EU?
Regulation (EU) 2018/1806. Since the date of its accession to the EU in 2007, Bulgaria has been applying Council Regulation (EC) № 539/2001 of 15.03.2001 who was codified by Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 of the European parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession ...
Is Bulgaria a member of the Schengen Area?
Joining the Schengen area is a key priority of our country. The Bulgarian government is highly committed to fulfilling one of the key national priorities – Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area. A well-functioning coordination between ministries and institutions has been established to this end on political and expert level.
Does Bulgaria have a visa application center?
In order to facilitate visa applicants, and to provide a better and quicker service, Bulgarian Consular Services started, on stages, accepting visa application forms through the so called Visa Application Centers (Outsourcing Centers), operated by the VFC Global Company, specialized in providing visa services. For now, visa application forms could be submitted in this way at the Visa Application Centers situated in the following countries and cities:
How long is a Schengen visa valid in Colombia?
Schengen visas holders must ensure their visa is valid for at least 180 days from their arrival date in Colombia.
Which countries are not part of the Schengen Area?
Sao Tome and Principe. Serbia. Turkey. The following countries are not part of the Schengen Area, yet they ALLOW foreign citizens of other countries to enter and stay in their territories, ONLY by showing a valid Schengen Visa (double entry or multiple entry). Such foreigners, do NOT need a national visa issued from these countries to enter, ...
How long is a Turkish visa valid?
They first SHOULD GET a single-entry Turkish e-Visa which has a 1-MONTH validity (with a possibility to apply for such visa electronically in the website www.evisa.gov.tr (For more and updated information please click here !).
Which country allows foreigners to enter the country without a visa?
Croatia. Since the 22 nd of the July 2014, the Republic of Croatia has entered into force the decision to allow all foreigners holding valid Schengen Visa to enter, transit and stay in its territory without needing to provide an additional Croatian visa.
Which countries allow visa free access?
Colombia. Holders of passports issued by the following countries or territories are granted visa-free access for a maximum of 90 days (unless otherwise noted) if they hold visas or residence permits issued by a Schengen Area country. Cambodia. China.
Why doesn't Bulgaria want to join Schengen?
Bulgaria Doesn’t Want to Join Schengen Zone for Now, Due to Fear of Migrant Invasion. Bulgaria has temporarily backed off from its bid to join the Schengen Area due to fears that the country may go through a migrant invasion , as soon as it becomes part of the borderless area.
When did Bulgaria join the Schengen Area?
The European Parliament had confirmed that Bulgaria meets all criteria to join the Schengen Area, and as such has called for its accession in June 2011. In December 2018, a majority of MEPs had voted in favor of a resolution that called for the accession of Bulgaria to the border-less Schengen Zone.
Why is Bulgaria banned from entering the EU?
In April Bulgaria temporarily prohibited the entry for citizens of 13 countries located in the EU and the Schengen Area, as part of the country’s efforts to stop the further step of the Coronavirus pandemic.
How long is a Bulgarian quarantine?
The Health Ministry statement clarifies that members of the families of Bulgarian citizens, as well as those in actual cohabitation with a Bulgarian citizen, are not required to go through the 14-days mandatory quarantine if the term of their stay in Bulgaria is up to seven days .
When did Bulgaria lift the entry ban?
Bulgarian authorities have decided to lift the entry ban for European Union and Schengen area countries starting from May 22, which has been imposed due to Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), the Health Ministry announced. The lifting of the imposed entry ban includes San Marino, the Principality of Andorra, Vatican City State and Monaco, ...
Is Bulgaria a long term resident?
Persons who have permanent or long-term residence status in Bulgaria, as well as their family members, have been also excluded from ...
Is Bulgaria still quarantined?
According to the Health Ministry the two weeks mandatory quarantine will no longer be applied to Bulgarian citizens and citizen s of other EU countries who are travelling for humanitarian reasons and the above mentioned reasons.
Is Bulgaria in The EU?
Is Bulgaria Part of The Schengen area?
- Bulgaria is not yet part of the Schengen Area. The Balkan country is in the process of joining the Schengen zone and is expected to do so soon. The Republic of Bulgaria already applies the Schengen acquisto a significant extent. However, the country has not abolished borders and remains outside the free travel zone for the time being. Croatia, Cypr...
Why Is Bulgaria Not Part of The Schengen Area Yet?
- As an EU Member State, Bulgaria is obliged to join the Schengen Areaeventually by the Treaty of Accession. The exact date on which Bulgaria will join the Schengen Area is not known, although it is expected to be in the near future. The integration of Bulgaria into the Schengen Area is supported by the European Commissioner, Ylva Johansson. Speaking of Bulgaria, Croatia, and R…
Will I Need ETIAS to Travel to Bulgaria?
- ETIAS will be required to enter Bulgaria. If it does not complete its Schengen membership before the ETIAS travel authorisation is in use, it will still be an entry requirement. This is because Bulgaria is legally bound to enter the Schengen Area soon. The European Travel Information and Authorisation Service will be operational in May 2023. It will apply to all Schengen Member State…
Advantages of Schengen Membership For Bulgaria
- When Bulgaria joins the Schengen Area, it will abolish checks at internal EU borders. People in other EU nations will be able to visit Bulgaria more easilyand residents of Bulgaria will also benefit from freedom of movement. Other advantages of Schengen membership include: 1. Cross-border police cooperation 2. Better judicial cooperation 3. Standardised entry and visa requirements 4. …