European Union (EU) citizens
Citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria or any other EU member country do not need a visa to apply and enroll in the programs for acquiring an educational qualification degree at university.
Citizens of non-EU countries that are members of the Schengen area or holders of Schengen visas
Bulgaria has a visa-free regime for holders of Schengen passports or Schengen visas. They have the right to enter and reside on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of no more than three months within each six-month period, counted from the date of first entry, without the need to hold a Bulgarian short-term stay visa.
Citizens of non-EU countries
A long-term residence type "D" visa is required for all prospective students – citizens of countries outside the EU and the Schengen area, who are not subject to visa relaxation. Students admitted pursuant to Decree of Council of Ministers No. 103/1993 do not need to apply for a long-term residence type "D"visa.The visa can be issued for up to 6 months or 1 year. The validity of the visa depends on the purpose of the stay in Bulgaria – completing a Bachelor's or postgraduate course of study, carrying out scientific research or a student internship.
In order to obtain a long-term residence permit, the person is required to certify that:
- their accommodation is arranged;
- has health insurance;
- has sufficient means of subsistence – sufficient funds to cover daily expenses equal to at least the minimum payment for the country for the period of residence;
- has not been convicted;
- has beenadmitted to an accredited Bulgarian university (higher school);
- has been approved by the Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria;
For more detailed information on visa requirements for studying in Bulgaria, please visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.
LONG-TERM STAY VISA / TYPE D VISA/
A long-term residence visa with a validity period of up to 6 months and with the right of residence for up to 180 days is issued to a foreign citizen who wishes to settle for a longer period of time or permanently in the Republic of Bulgaria. (Pursuant to art. 15, para. 1 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act)
A long-term residence visa with a validity period of up to one year and a right of residence of up to 360 days may be issued to foreigners who carry out scientific research or are students on study programs of up to one academic year, specialists or trainees, foreigners seconded by a foreign employer to perform specific tasks related to the control and coordination of the execution of a contract for tourist services, as well as to foreigners sent by a foreign employer to carry out investments certified under the Investment Promotion Act. (Pursuant to art. 15, para. 2 of the FRBA)
The long-term residence visa gives the right to multiple entries into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria within the period of its validity.
The long-term residence visa is cancelled upon issuance of a residence permit by the authorities for administrative control of foreigners.
The application for the issuance of a long-term residence visa is submitted only at the diplomatic and consular missions of the applicant's permanent residence or at those missions that are accredited for the country of the applicant's permanent residence.
There are no exceptions to the personal interview requirement when applying for a long-term resident visa.
When submitting an application for a long-term residence visa, the applicant submits:
- Applications for visa issuance – 2 /two/ copies;
- Error-free valid foreign travel document;
- Copies of the pages of the foreign travel document with personal data and with the applied visas and/or photocopies of the residence permits - 2 (two) copies;
- Recent colored photos – passport format, 2 /two/;
- Original copies and 2 /two/ number of copies of them, substantiating the request for a long-term residence visa, in accordance with the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act and the regulations for its implementation as well as the financial means for subsistence and accommodation;
- An insurance policy document and a copy of it, issued by an insurance company licensed to carry out insurance activities on the territory of the European Union with a minimum amount of coverage of 30,000 euros, covering all costs of repatriation, emergency medical assistance and emergency hospital treatment for treatment for the period of residence.
In order to obtain a long-term residence permit, individuals should have a secured home, mandatory health and social insurance, sufficient means of subsistence, without resorting to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the minimum monthly salary or the minimum pension according to the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria for the period of residence. When initially applying for a residence permit, persons who have reached the age of 18, except for stateless persons, must also present a criminal record certificate issued by the country of which they are a citizen or by the country of their habitual residence.