Bulgaria Long-Stay (Type D)Verified 2026-04-29Bulgaria Long-Term Visa (Type D, >90 days)
The Bulgaria Long-Term Visa (Type D) is for foreigners wishing to stay in Bulgaria for more than 90 days — for work, family reunification, long-term study, or other long-stay purposes. Each Type D ground has a specific document checklist under the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (FRBA). The visa is the gateway to a Bulgarian residence permit issued by the Migration Directorate. Visa fee ₹11,000 + VFS Logistics ₹3,080 (higher than short-stay).
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Patiala, Punjab
In-person office · Walk in any day
Processing
Up to 15 calendar days from when the Embassy receives your complete application
Stay Duration
More than 90 days — leads to a Bulgarian residence permit
Starting Fee
₹11,000
Apply At
10 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Bulgaria visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Indian-resident applicants apply via VFS Global India. Direct Embassy submission only by prior appointment for special EU-family or compassionate cases.
- 2Status queries and missing-document submissions go to bgconsuldelhi@yahoo.com — emails to other Embassy addresses are disregarded.
- 3Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025. Holders of Schengen Type C (two/multiple entry), Type D (long-stay), or Schengen-state residence permits can enter Bulgaria WITHOUT a separate Bulgarian visa for stays up to 90 days in 6 months.
- 4Diplomatic and Official Indian Passport holders can transit / enter Bulgaria visa-free for short-term visits up to 90 days in 6 months (since 02 July 2009).
- 5The applicant bears responsibility for ALL content of the application — an authorised representative cannot accept liability.
- 6The Embassy can request additional documents at any time during examination and may call applicants for an interview.
- 7Possessing a valid Bulgaria / Schengen visa does NOT guarantee entry — final entry decision rests with the border immigration officer.
Who Can Apply
- Work — with a positive Migration Directorate notification for labour-market access (FRBA Art. 24i / 24и / 33k)
- Family reunification — joining a family member with Bulgarian residence (FRBA Art. 24, para 1, item 13)
- Specialised stay — defined in FRBA Art. 24, para 1, item 18 (with proof of family relationship + accommodation + financial means)
- Study — admission to a Bulgarian university with Ministry of Education and Science confirmation (FRBA Art. 24в)
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Long-Term Visa (Type D, >90 days) | ₹11,000 |
| Children 6–12 years | FREE |
| VFS Logistics service charge (Long-Term) | ₹3,080 |
| Optional Courier | ₹735 |
| Optional Courier with assurance | ₹1,260 |
| Optional SMS service | ₹420 |
| Optional Premium Lounge | ₹3,360 |
Visa fees and VFS service charges are non-refundable, regardless of visa outcome. From 12 August 2024, applicants can pay visa fees and VFS logistics via Card / Cash / UPI. Approximate total for an adult short-stay visa: ₹12,430 (₹9,900 + ₹2,530). Long-Term D total: ₹14,080. Diplomatic and Official Indian Passport holders can transit / visit Bulgaria visa-free for up to 90 days within 6 months.
Documents Required
Work — FRBA Art. 24i / 24и (labour-market access)
- !Application form (Bulgaria Visa Application Form)
- !Valid passport
- !Copy — Notification from Migration Directorate with positive opinion for granting access to the labour market
- !Paid fee receipt
- !Medical insurance for the period of initial entry into Bulgaria
Work — FRBA Art. 33k (alternative work category)
- !Application form
- !Valid passport
- !Copy — Notification from Migration Directorate with positive opinion for granting access to the labour market
- !Paid fee receipt
- !Medical insurance for the period of initial entry into Bulgaria
Family Reunification — FRBA Art. 24, para 1, item 13
- !Application form
- !Valid passport
- !Notification from Migration Directorate with positive decision for family reunification
- !Medical insurance for the period of initial entry into Bulgaria
- !Paid fee receipt
Specialised stay — FRBA Art. 24, para 1, item 18
- !Application form
- !Valid passport
- !Documents certifying family relationship
Recognised and registered or allowed for enforcement under Bulgarian legislation: marriage certificate, birth certificate, or certificate of family status
- !Proof of secured accommodation
Ownership document OR lease agreement; in case of lease — notarised declaration from the property owner providing the address of residence
- !Medical insurance for the period of initial entry into Bulgaria
- !Proof of financial means for subsistence
In an amount not less than the minimum monthly salary for the period of residence
- !Certificate of criminal record OR criminal / police registration
Issued in accordance with the legislation of the country of citizenship, country of origin, or habitual residence
Study — FRBA Art. 24в, para 1 (Education)
- !Application form
- !Valid passport
- !Proof of secured accommodation
Ownership document OR lease agreement; if lease — notarised declaration from property owner providing address of residence
- !Medical insurance for the period of initial entry into Bulgaria
- !Confirmation letter from Ministry of Education and Science
- !Confirmation letter from the University of admission
- !Proof of possession of financial means for subsistence
- !Notarised declaration from parent(s) covering education + stay expenses
With bank statements + other financial documents from the parent(s)
- !3 months bank statements — for both supporting person AND applicant
- !If applicant is a MINOR — Notarised declaration from parents agreeing to study in Bulgaria
- !Certificate of criminal record OR criminal / police registration
All applicants — additional
- !All documents issued abroad must bear necessary certifications, legalisations, AND translation
Apostille for documents from Hague Convention countries; Embassy / MEA legalisation otherwise. Bulgarian translation may also be required.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Identify your specific FRBA legal basis
Work (Art. 24i or 33k), Family Reunification (Art. 24 para 1 item 13), Specialised Stay (Art. 24 para 1 item 18), or Study (Art. 24в).
Get the Migration Directorate notification (Work / Family Reunification)
For Work and Family Reunification, the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Bulgaria must issue a positive notification BEFORE you apply for the visa. Your Bulgarian employer / family member files this on your behalf — process takes 2-3 months.
For Study — secure admission letter + Ministry of Education confirmation
Bulgarian university admission letter PLUS Ministry of Education and Science confirmation. Both required.
Get all foreign documents apostilled and translated
Apostille via Indian MEA for Hague Convention countries; otherwise full legalisation. Bulgarian translation by a certified translator may be required.
Prepare proof of accommodation + financial means
Ownership / lease + notarised owner's declaration. Financial means at least minimum Bulgarian monthly salary for the residence period.
Get criminal-record certificate
From your country of citizenship / origin / habitual residence. Apostilled + translated.
Download and complete the Bulgaria Visa Application Form
From VFS Global Bulgaria. Sign in TWO places.
Get ICAO-compliant photographs
3.5 × 4.5 cm, light background.
Book VFS appointment + submit in person
Pay ₹11,000 visa fee + ₹3,080 VFS Logistics. First trip MUST be in person.
Track and collect
Up to 15 calendar days from Embassy receipt — but May extend significantly for Type D applications. After approval, enter Bulgaria and apply for residence permit at the local Migration Directorate.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
VFS Application Centres
Schengen Tourist Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 quick questions to see your likelihood of approval. This is not a guarantee — final decision is always with the Embassy — but it flags common weak spots so you can address them before applying.
What's the primary purpose of your trip?
How long do you plan to stay?
Have you previously visited any Schengen country?
Have you ever been refused a Schengen (or any country's) visa?
Past refusals must be disclosed — they show up in VIS database across Schengen countries.
Do you have confirmed travel bookings?
Reservations are enough — don't buy tickets until visa approval.
What's your current employment status?
What's your typical 3-month bank balance?
Schengen needs ~₹700/day covered. For a 10-day trip, minimum ₹70,000 stable balance.
How many years of Income Tax Returns (ITR) can you show?
What are your strongest ties to India (return-intent)?
Embassies want evidence you'll come back — not overstay.
Who are you travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
💡 Pro Tips
- Travel medical insurance must be issued by an APPROVED EU / VFS-listed insurer with minimum €30,000 cover. Without it your application will be rejected outright.
- Bank statements must show last 3 months of activity — both saving + current accounts where applicable.
- Three years of ITR / ITR-V are mandatory — personal AND company (if you are self-employed).
- Application form MUST be signed in TWO places: field 37 + the last field. A common mistake.
- Apply at least 15 calendar days BEFORE departure but NOT MORE than 3 months ahead. Outside this window, files are not accepted.
- From 12 August 2024, you can pay visa fees + VFS logistics via Card / Cash / UPI at the centre.
- Photographs must be ICAO-compliant 3.5 × 4.5 cm — see Photo Specifications section below.
- First trip to Bulgaria / Schengen area requires IN-PERSON submission. Subsequent trips can be submitted by an authorised representative (with notarised letter of authorisation + photo ID).
- Type D is NOT a stand-alone visa — it's the gateway to a Bulgarian residence permit. After the visa, you must apply for the residence permit at the local Migration Directorate within 90 days of entry.
- The Migration Directorate notification (for Work and Family Reunification) is the BIG bottleneck — it takes 2-3 months on the Bulgarian side. Start that process early, in parallel with the visa application prep.
- All foreign documents (criminal record, marriage certificate, birth certificate) must be apostilled (Hague Convention countries) OR fully legalised, AND translated into Bulgarian by a certified translator.
- The Type D visa fee (₹11,000) is HIGHER than short-stay (₹9,900) and the VFS Logistics fee (₹3,080) is also higher.
- — PHOTO SPECIFICATIONS —
- Recent (preferably maximum 6 months old) full colour photograph.
- Size 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm (35 mm × 45 mm) — passport-sized.
- Light-coloured / white background, printed on photographic paper.
- Full face, looking straight forward — face takes up 70-80% of the photograph.
- Chin to top of hair: 30-36 mm in height.
- Eyes red, sharp focus, natural skin tones.
- Mouth must be closed. Without sunglasses.
- Without hat or other head covering — except for religious reasons (face must remain fully visible).
- If wearing spectacles: NO toned / reflecting glasses; frame must NOT cover the eyes.
- Photos with dark glasses, hat / cap (non-religious), or cut-out / amateur photos are INELIGIBLE.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Migration Directorate notification missing OR not yet issued
- 2.Foreign documents not properly apostilled / legalised / translated
- 3.Insufficient proof of secured accommodation
- 4.Criminal record certificate missing
- 5.Financial means below minimum Bulgarian monthly salary for residence period
- 6.For Study — Ministry of Education confirmation OR University admission letter missing
- 7.Application form not signed in TWO places
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Type C and Type D Bulgaria visa?+
How long does Type D processing take?+
What is the total cost?+
After the visa, what next?+
What's the Migration Directorate notification?+
Can SureshotVisa help with the Migration Directorate process?+
Let us prepare your Bulgaria Long-Term Visa — (Type D, >90 days) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Bulgaria Visa Types
Bulgaria Tourist Visa (Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Bulgaria Tourist Visa from India — Short-Stay (Type C). ₹9,900 visa fee + ₹2,530 VFS service. 15 calendar days processing. Complete document checklist + photo spec.
Bulgaria Business Visa (Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Bulgaria Business Visit Visa from India — Short-Stay (Type C). For meetings, conferences, trade shows. ₹9,900 + ₹2,530 VFS. 15 calendar days. Requires Invitation-Declaration from Bulgarian host.
Bulgaria Family / Friend Visit Visa — Private Visit (Short-Stay, Type C)
Bulgaria Private Visit Visa for visiting family or friends in Bulgaria. Short-Stay (Type C). Requires Invitation-Declaration from the Bulgarian host. ₹9,900 + ₹2,530 VFS.
Bulgaria Sports / Cultural / Artistic / Scientific Visa (Short-Stay, Type C)
Bulgaria visa for cultural events, sports competitions, artistic performances, scientific exchange. Short-Stay (Type C). ₹9,900 + ₹2,530 VFS. Requires invitation from the Bulgarian organising body.
Bulgaria Medical Treatment Visa (Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Bulgaria Medical Treatment Visa from India — Short-Stay (Type C). Requires Bulgarian medical facility certificate + treatment plan. ₹9,900 + ₹2,530 VFS.
Bulgaria Transit Visa (Short-Stay)
Bulgaria Transit Visa for travellers passing through Bulgaria en route to a third country. ₹9,900 + ₹2,530 VFS. Up to 3 transit passages × 2 days each.
Bulgaria Airport Transit Visa (Short-Stay)
Bulgaria Airport Transit Visa for travellers staying in the international transit zone at a Bulgarian airport en route to a third country. ₹9,900 + ₹2,530 VFS.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Bulgaria website and Embassy of Bulgaria. Last verified 2026-04-29. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.