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What Is a Type D Visa for Bulgaria?

A Type D visa is a long-term visa that allows its holders to enter the Republic of
Bulgaria multiple times. It is issued for the period of either 6 months or 12 months
and is an essential requirement for all eligible applicants to be considered for a
Bulgarian residence permit.

6-Month Type D Visa
Granted to applicants who wish to enter the country and settle for a long
period/establish permanent residency.

12-Month Type D Visa 
Granted to applicants who are students, carry out scientific research, or sent
on a business trip (e.g. tourist services, investment preparations).

Who Is Eligible for a Bulgarian Type D Visa?
Long-term visa applicants are obliged to meet at least 1 of the 18 grounds provided
under the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (Art 24, Paragraph 1) on which
this type of visa is issued.

What Grounds for Type D Exist?
Employment

A work permit is issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy after the
applicant has received a confirmed offer of employment.

Business Activity
Applicants are expected to have at least 10 Bulgarian nationals employed as a
result of their economic activity in the country

Education
Visas are issued to applicants who are enrolled in an accredited Bulgarian
university as full-time students. Student visas are not granted for enrollment in
Bulgarian (or any other language) courses.

Skilled Professionals
Visas are issued to highly-skilled migrant workers and specialists residing in
the country under the terms of an international contract in which Bulgaria takes
part.

Bulgarian D Visa Documents I Must Provide
There are some documents that the Bulgarian embassy/consulate requires from
every applicant no matter what the grounds for the application are. Make sure you
have all these documents available when you hand in your visa D application form.
The standard documents required for Bulgarian D visa application are the following:

1. A completed visa application form
2. Two (2) identical photos – (the standard passport size – must measure 45
   millimeters (mm) high by 35mm wide)
3. A current valid passport – you need a blank page in your passport for your
   visa. Your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay in Bulgaria
4. Evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves while in Bulgaria. This
   should be provided in the form of a bank statement (equal to at least 6
   minimum monthly Bulgarian salaries)*.
5. A proof of private medical insurance from a Bulgarian insurance company to
   cover costs of healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation*.
6. A proof of accommodation – lease agreement (also known as a rental contract
   in Bulgaria). Relevant documents must be presented to a notary public and
   signed in their presence
7. Criminal background check – details of any immigration, criminal or civil
   offenses you might have committed
8. Paid visa fee
   
   You’ll also need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in
   Bulgarian. Please bear in mind that this is not a complete list of documents. Contact
   me for a fully comprehensive list according to your situation or circumstances.
   
   Where Do I Apply for My Visa D?

All applicants must apply in person at the nearest Bulgarian embassy/consulate in
their country of residence no later than 3 months prior to the visit. It is essential to
thoroughly review all visa-related information available on their website for local
procedures and instructions (such as how to arrange an interview appointment).

How Long Does It Take for My Visa D To Be Issued?
Depending on various factors, the time required for the Bulgarian D visa to be issued
is between one (1) to two (2) months. 90% of our clients receive their D visas in 4
weeks (20 working days). You should not worry about your submission if the waiting
time is longer than four (4) weeks because it is normal and you have to be patient.
Bulgarian embassy/consulate usually contacts applicants regarding extra documents
or changes that need to be applied to their pending application.

How to Apply
Most visa applicants will need to set up a visa appointment. The embassy or
consulate information may include specific local instructions about scheduling
appointments, submitting your visa application, and other frequently asked questions.
Embassy and consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for
visitors who may need an earlier visa appointment. This procedure, however, varies
from country to country.

Can I Apply for a Visa While in Bulgaria?
No, it is not possible to apply for a visa from within Bulgaria, regardless of your
current immigration status. If you are already in Bulgaria and wish to apply for a visa,
you must return to your country of residence and submit your application there. In
some exceptional cases, based on your personal circumstances (e.g. war refugee,
medical condition, etc.), a visa can be issued from another country that may be more
easily accessible from Bulgaria, such as Greece, Romania, Macedonia, Serbia or
Turkey. However, this is only possible with explicit permission from the Bulgarian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is important to note that this instution is typically
reluctant to grant such permissions, making this option not really viable.

Can I Travel to Bulgaria While Waiting for a Visa Decision?
While your visa application is being processed, you are not allowed to travel to
Bulgaria unless you qualify for visa-free entry. If eligible, you may stay in Bulgaria for
the duration of the visa-free period. However, you cannot remain in the country
beyond this period until a decision on your visa application has been made.