🇧🇯→🇧🇬Benin→Bulgaria

90 daysmultiple entry15-60d processingvalid 1825d

Permits short-term stays in Bulgaria and the Schengen Area for tourism, family visits, business meetings, cultural events, or transit. Valid for up to 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen member states.

As of 31 March 2024, Bulgaria issues uniform Schengen visas valid throughout the entire Schengen Area. Fee is EUR 90 (approx. USD 97) following the Schengen visa fee increase effective 11 June 2024 (raised from EUR 80, per European Commission notice); reduced to EUR 45 for children aged 6-12; free for children under 6. Maximum validity is 5 years for multi-entry visas with demonstrated travel history; single and double entry options also available. Applications must be submitted in person at Bulgarian diplomatic missions or authorized Visa Application Centers (VFS Global). Applications accepted no earlier than 6 months before intended travel. Standard processing is 15 calendar days; may extend to 30 days or exceptionally 60 days. The 90-day stay limit is calculated across all Schengen states.

90 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 365d

Permits short-term entry for business purposes including negotiations, contract signings, conferences, and commercial visits. Issued as a Type C uniform Schengen visa.

Same legal basis and fee as the tourist Type C visa: EUR 90 (approx. USD 97) since the 11 June 2024 Schengen visa fee increase (Schengen Visa Code, Regulation (EC) 810/2009 as amended). Applicant must provide an invitation letter from a Bulgarian company or proof of business purpose. Issued as a uniform Schengen visa valid for all Schengen states.

180 daysmultiple entryvalid 180d

Permits representatives of a foreign commercial company that has registered a commercial representation with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) to reside in Bulgaria.

Issued on the ground under Article 24, paragraph 1, point 6 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act. Requires a certificate of current registration of the commercial representation with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), issued no earlier than one month before submission, plus a document on the current state of the represented foreign company. The Type D visa (valid up to 180 days) allows entry, after which a renewable 1-year residence permit is issued by the Migration Directorate (MVR). This route does not itself grant the right to take up employment. Submitted in person; no e-visa.

single entry15-30d processing

Permits transit through the international transit areas of Bulgarian airports without entering the Schengen territory. Required for certain nationalities transiting through Sofia Airport.

Fee is EUR 90 (approx. USD 97) following the Schengen visa fee increase effective 11 June 2024 (raised from EUR 80); see European Commission notice (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/schengen-visa-fee-increased-11-june-2024-2024-06-13). Only required for nationals of countries listed in Annex IV of the Schengen Visa Code (Regulation (EC) 810/2009 as amended). Must be applied for at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in person. Processing standard is 15 calendar days; may extend to 30 days in individual cases.

180 daysmultiple entryvalid 180d

Permits foreign nationals to enter Bulgaria to undergo medical therapy or treatment at a Bulgarian medical facility, based on an approved treatment and recovery plan.

Issued on the ground under Article 24, paragraph 1, point 8 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act. Requires a certificate from the treating medical facility specifying the treatment and recovery plan, proof that all transport, medical and living costs are covered, health insurance (minimum EUR 30,000 coverage), evidence of accommodation in Bulgaria and a police clearance certificate. The Type D visa (valid up to 180 days) allows entry, after which a continued-treatment residence permit is issued by the Migration Directorate (MVR). Applications are submitted in person at a Bulgarian diplomatic mission; no e-visa exists.

180 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 180d

Permits family members of Bulgarian citizens, EU/EEA nationals, or third-country nationals legally residing in Bulgaria to enter and reside in Bulgaria for the purpose of family reunification.

Governed by the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act and implementing the EU Family Reunification Directive (2003/86/EC) for third-country national sponsors. Eligible family members include spouse, minor children, and dependent parents. A personal interview is obligatory. After entry, family members must apply for a residence permit at the Migration Directorate (MVR). Spouses of Bulgarian nationals may follow an expedited path to permanent residency.

180 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 180d

Permits foreign nationals admitted to an accredited Bulgarian educational institution to enter Bulgaria to pursue studies. Includes university degree programs, language courses, and vocational training.

Issued under the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act. Requires an acceptance letter from an accredited Bulgarian institution, proof of sufficient funds, and health insurance. A personal interview is obligatory. After entering Bulgaria on a Type D study visa, students must register with the Migration Directorate (MVR) to obtain a residence permit valid for the duration of their studies. Students may work limited hours under Bulgarian labor law.

multiple entry

Permits managers, specialists, or trainee employees of a multinational group to be transferred from a company branch outside the EU to a host entity in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria's implementation of the EU Intra-Corporate Transfer Directive 2014/66/EU. For managers, specialists and trainees transferred within the same group of undertakings from a non-EU branch to a Bulgarian host entity. Requires prior employment with the group of at least 12 months (managers and specialists) or 6 months (trainees). Entry is via a Type D long-stay visa; the ICT permit is then issued. The holder may work only for the specified receiving enterprise(s) in the manager/specialist/trainee role. Maximum transfer duration is up to 3 years for managers and specialists and up to 1 year for trainees; intra-EU mobility to other member states is possible under conditions. Administered together with the Bulgarian Employment Agency and the Migration Directorate (MVR).

270 daysmultiple entry

Permits non-EU nationals to perform seasonal work in Bulgaria in the tourism/hospitality (HORECA) and agriculture sectors, tied to the seasonal cycle.

Bulgaria's implementation of the EU Seasonal Workers Directive 2014/36/EU. Two pathways: (1) seasonal work up to 90 days uses a short-stay Type C visa registered for seasonal work, with no separate work permit; (2) seasonal work from 90 days up to 9 months requires a work permit issued by the Bulgarian Employment Agency plus a Type D visa and a subsequent residence permit. Limited to HORECA (tourism) and agriculture sectors. The employer must obtain Employment Agency approval before the worker's arrival and provide adequate accommodation. Workers may change employer with Employment Agency permission without leaving Bulgaria. Maximum stay is 9 months in any 12-month period.

180 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 180d

Permits third-country nationals to enter Bulgaria for the purpose of taking up employment with a Bulgarian employer. A prior work permit (issued by the Employment Agency) must be obtained before the visa is issued.

Governed by the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (Article 15). The visa is issued for up to 6 months (180 days) and allows the holder to enter Bulgaria and subsequently apply for a residence permit at the Migration Directorate (MVR). A personal interview is obligatory. The employer must first obtain a work permit from the Bulgarian National Employment Agency. EU Blue Card holders follow a slightly different procedure. After obtaining a Type D visa and entering Bulgaria, the applicant must apply for a temporary residence permit within the first month. No e-visa option exists; applications must be submitted in person.

180 daysmultiple entryvalid 180d

Permits third-country nationals authorised to carry out freelance (self-employed) professional activity in Bulgaria to enter and reside for that purpose.

Issued on the ground under Article 24, paragraph 1, point 15 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act. Requires a certified copy of a permit to carry out freelance activity issued by the authorities of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, which must be obtained before the visa. The Type D visa (valid up to 180 days) allows entry, after which a residence permit is issued by the Migration Directorate (MVR). Submitted in person; no e-visa.

365 daysmultiple entryvalid 365d

Permits third-country nationals who work remotely for employers or businesses registered outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland to reside in Bulgaria for up to 2 years without taking up local employment.

Introduced by amendments to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, approved by the Bulgarian Parliament in June 2025. Implementing regulations adopted by the Council of Ministers on 10 December 2025; applications accepted from 20 December 2025. Three eligible categories: (1) employees of companies registered outside EU/EEA/Switzerland; (2) entrepreneurs/managers owning 25%+ of a company registered abroad; (3) self-employed remote workers with at least 1 year of prior remote operation. Minimum average annual income of EUR 31,000 for the prior calendar year. The initial permit is valid for 1 year, extendable once for a further year (maximum 2 years total). Holders may not work for Bulgarian companies or Bulgarian clients. Administered by the Ministry of Interior (MVR). Entry is via a Type D long-stay visa; the permit is then issued inside Bulgaria. Processing time is not officially published.

1-15d processing

Issued to holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports of countries that have bilateral agreements with Bulgaria requiring visas for such passport holders. For diplomatic passport holders of many countries, no visa is required (see conditional_access).

Diplomatic and service passport holders of many countries are exempt from visa requirements per bilateral agreements (see conditional_access entries in this file). Where a visa is required for diplomatic/service passports, it is typically issued free of charge and through diplomatic channels with expedited processing. The official MFA table (last updated 14 January 2025) lists which nationalities require or do not require visas when holding diplomatic/service passports.

180 daysmultiple entry90-240d processingvalid 180d

Permits non-EU nationals who have made qualifying investments in Bulgaria (such as EUR 512,000 in approved investment funds) to enter Bulgaria. Leads directly to permanent residency without requiring a temporary permit.

Governed by Article 25, paragraph 1, point 6 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act. Requires a minimum investment of EUR 512,000 in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) or ETFs listed on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange, maintained for at least 5 years. The Invest Bulgaria Agency (investbulgaria.com) must pre-approve the investment. After approval, a Type D visa is issued to allow entry, following which permanent residency is granted directly. After 5 years of permanent residency, the investor may apply for Bulgarian citizenship by naturalization. Bulgaria's Citizenship-by-Investment (golden passport) program was abolished on 5 April 2022; this path leads to residency only, not direct citizenship.

180 daysmultiple entryvalid 180d

Permits retired foreign nationals in receipt of a state or private pension, with sufficient means to support themselves, to settle in Bulgaria.

Issued on the ground under Article 24, paragraph 1, point 10 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act. Requires a document from the competent authorities of the applicant's country certifying the pension, plus a Bulgarian bank account into which the pension will be transferred. Applicant must show sufficient financial means (pension income), accommodation in Bulgaria and health insurance (minimum EUR 30,000). The Type D visa (valid up to 180 days) allows entry, after which a renewable long-term (1-year) residence permit is issued by the Migration Directorate (MVR). Submitted in person; no e-visa.

180 daysmultiple entryvalid 180d

Permits non-EU nationals who have invested at least BGN 600,000 in Bulgarian real estate, or who own more than 50% of the capital of a Bulgarian commercial company, to obtain a temporary residence permit.

Issued on the ground under Article 24, paragraph 1, point 19 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act. Requires proof from a licensed Bulgarian credit institution of an investment of at least BGN 600,000 (approx. EUR 306,775 at the fixed conversion rate EUR 1 = BGN 1.95583; Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026) in real estate, or ownership of more than 50% of a Bulgarian commercial company, together with related ownership and expense-justification documents. The Type D visa (valid up to 180 days) allows entry, after which a temporary (long-term) residence permit is issued by the Migration Directorate (MVR). Distinct from the permanent-residence investment-fund route (minimum EUR 512,000 under Article 25(1)(6)) tracked separately in this file's RBI and investment entries. Submitted in person; no e-visa.

180 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 180d

Permits third-country nationals employed in highly qualified occupations (requiring at least a bachelor's degree and a gross annual salary at least 1.5x the average Bulgarian salary) to enter Bulgaria under the EU Blue Card scheme.

Implements Directive 2009/50/EC (EU Blue Card Directive) and its successor Directive (EU) 2021/1883 as transposed into Bulgarian law. The employer must apply for an EU Blue Card (combined work and residence permit) from the Migration Directorate on behalf of the foreign national. A Type D entry visa is issued to allow initial entry. Blue Card holders have enhanced mobility rights within the EU/Schengen Area after 18 months.