How to Get a Bulgarian Work Visa for Employment?

A Bulgarian work visa is a D visa or a national visa. The visa is given to non-EU citizens wanting to visit the country for employment purposes. It is a long stay visa that is granted for a period of 1 year. You need to get a work permit, a D visa, and a residence permit to work in Bulgaria. The D visa application can be filed at a Bulgarian embassy/consulate in India. Keep reading to learn more about the Bulgaria work visa: eligibility, requirements, application process, fees, processing time, and more.

What is the Bulgaria Work Visa?

Bulgaria offers two types of long stay visas or D visas. They are-

• A visa for 6 months with a right to stay in the country for 180 days – This is granted to people intending to stay in the country permanently.
• A visa for 1 year and the right to stay for up to 360 days– For employment purposes, you need to apply for a visa for 1 year. This is a multiple entry visa that will allow you to work in Bulgaria. 

However, the visa is only available to you after you obtain a work permit (single permit). The D visa will allow you to travel to Bulgaria, and the permit will allow you to work. Besides this, you need to get a residence permit, to legally stay in the country. A residence permit can be applied after you reach Bulgaria on a D visa.

Who Needs a Bulgaria Work Visa?

Non EU nationals intending to work in Bulgaria need to apply for a visa. This means that if you are an Indian citizen you need a visa. On the other hand, EU/EEA citizens are exempt from the visa requirements. A visa can be applied through the VFC Global Company at a Bulgarian embassy in your home country.

Bulgaria Work Permit 2024-25

Before getting a Bulgaria work visa you need to get a work permit/single permit. The single permit is applied by your employer on your behalf to the relevant local Directorate -employment office. After an approval is received, a labour market test is conducted to ensure that there are no Bulgarian/EEA/Swiss nationals who can take up the position. 

A labour market test is only exempt for certain categories of workers. For example, a guest professor, higher or secondary education teacher, professional sportsmen, actor or performer, or a trainer who is approved by the government.

Requirements for a Bulgaria Work Permit 

A work permit can only be issued if you meet the following requirements:

• You must have completed your secondary professional education, or must have professional qualification, and relevant experience for the job
• You must have sufficient finances to cover your expenses for the duration of your stay
• Additionally, you must have arranged your accommodation
• You also need to have a valid health insurance for the duration of your stay

Bulgaria Work Permit Validity & Renewability

The Bulgaria work permit validity period is as follows. 

Permit	Validity	Renewability
Single permit/work permit	1 year	Up to 3 years

After 3 years you will have to return to your home country, and stay there for 1 month. Thereafter, you can apply for a work permit again, following the same procedure. You need to get the Bulgaria work visa to travel.

Bulgaria Work Permit Rights 

The Bulgaria work permit comes with several rights. They are as follows:

• You are permitted to take up a specific type of work, and in a specific position. However, you are not allowed to change your employer unless you submit a new work permit application. 
• It is possible to change your status to a long term resident
• You can apply for long term residency after completing 5 years of stay in the country. You are not permitted to leave the country for more than 6 consecutive months, or a total of 10 months during this 5 year period. That is, if you want long term residency status. The long term residency status will give you equal access to social security benefits, and health insurance. You will no longer need a work permit to work in the country.

Bulgaria Work Visa Requirements 

The employer will get you the permit, but you need to apply for a work visa. To apply for a work visa you must meet the following conditions:

• Completed visa application form
• You must have a valid travel document/passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the duration of your stay. The passport must have been issued within the last 10 years.
• You must have a photocopy of the 1st page of the travel document
• If you have obtained a Bulgaria  and Schengen visa in the past, you need to present the photocopy of the same.
• A colour photograph of 3,5 cm х 4,5 cm against a light  colour background
• A medical insurance that is valid in all the EU member countries for the duration of your trip. The medical insurance must cover your medical expenses for urgent medical care/emergency hospital visits for treatment. The minimum amount of insurance acceptable is EUR 30,000.
• Proof that you have financial means to cover your expenses for the duration of your stay. 
• You also need to prove you have funds to purchase a return ticket to your home country or you need to show the tickets purchased.
• Underage children (travelling without a guardian or parents or trustees) need to submit a copy of their birth certificate, or a power of attorney notary certified by trustees/parents or by 1 parent agreeing to let the child travel to Bulgaria without them.
• You must have already arranged your accommodation in Bulgaria
• Your job must provide you a minimum monthly income or the minimum pension as per the Bulgarian standards for the duration of our stay
• Those who are above the age of 18 also need to submit proof that they have a clean criminal record.

When to Apply for a Bulgaria Work Visa?

You can submit an application for a work visa not earlier than 3 months before the date of intended travel. The only exception for this is humanitarian cases. It is recommended that you do not wait until the last moment to apply. Moreover, the visa application for minors can only be submitted by their legal representatives.

How to Apply for a Bulgaria Work Visa for Indians?

You can apply for a Bulgaria work visa by following the steps below:

• Download the visa application form from the Republic of Bulgaria Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. 
• Fill out the visa application form, and gather the required documents
• Next, through VFS Global get an appointment at a visa application centre 
• On the date of your appointment, bring your documents, and submit your biometric information
• You are also required to give a visa interview, and clear the same 
• You will also have to pay the visa application fee
• After the above steps are completed, you application will be processed
• You will be informed of the status of your application. You can check the status of your application either online ( by entering your application reference number) or through SMS or email updates.
• After the results are announced, you can collect your documents, and passport.
• At this stage, you can travel to Bulgaria for work.

Visa Interview 

A visa interview is mandatory for a D visa applicant. Your application is only considered after you give the visa interview. There are no exceptions to this rule.

To learn more about the Bulgarian work visa, watch this video:

Bulgaria Work Visa Fees

Bulgaria does not charge any fees for applicants below the age of 12.  However, it is important to note that you cannot work in Bulgaria if you are below the age of 16.

Long stay Visa Type	Fees
D visa (for stays up to 360 days)	EUR 100
D visa for work (stays for up to 1 year)	EUR 200

Learn about the cost of living in Bulgaria as a foreigner 

How Long Does it Take to Get a Work Visa for Bulgaria?

Generally, it takes between 30 to 45 days to get your D visa processed. However, the exact processing time depends on whether you have to submit additional documents, how soon the interview is conducted and cleared, and the number of applications received. If your visa application processing is delayed beyond this period, it is better to contact the embassy to know the status of your application.

What is the Success Rate of Bulgaria Visa?

The Bulgaria work visa success rate is 90%. As per applicants, a D visa is most likely to be accepted. However, the processing time can take up to 2 months. This means that, as long as you meet the requirements for the work visa, it is likely to be approved.

You can also study with a Bulgarian D visa. Get to know about the New Bulgarian University if you want to study in the country.

Bulgaria Residence Permit 

After you have reached Bulgaria on a work permit, you need to apply for a residence permit. A Bulgaria work visa will just allow you to travel to the country. Therefore, you need the residence permit to get the legal right to stay. You can get your residence permit from the  Migration Directorate.

You need to apply for a residence permit within 5 days of reaching Bulgaria. If your residence permit application is rejected, you can contest the same in court. An appeal for the same has to be filed within 14 days of residence permit  application rejection

What to Do If My Bulgaria Work Visa is Rejected?

A Bulgaria work visa application can be rejected in several circumstances. For example, if the applicant has submitted incorrect or insufficient information, has engaged in fraudulent activities, or does not have the sufficient means to cover the expenses. It is advisable that you identify the reason for the visa refusal and apply again. Another option you have is to file an appeal. That is, if you have met all the requirements, and your application has been unfairly rejected. A proof of the same has to be submitted.

FAQs

We hope you now understand the German work visa requirements. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!

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