Are you thinking about travelling to Bulgaria from the United Kingdom? If you are visiting Bulgaria for business purposes, tourism, or to see friends and family, you may need to obtain a Bulgaria visa, depending on the specifics of your trip.This guide will provide you with and outline the pertinent details to help you obtain a Bulgaria visa appointment in the United Kingdom.We will provide you with comprehensive details to help you succeed in your appointment from visa restrictions, required documents, appointment booking, and more.
The need for a Bulgaria visa can vary depending on the visitor’s nationality and the intended purpose of the trip.If you are a British national, you can visit Bulgaria without a visa for a period of up to 90 days in a 180 day time frame without a visa.This is true for family visits, business travel, and tourism.On the other hand, if you are traveling for more than 90 days, you will need a visa for other activities such as study, work, or residency.In such cases, a Bulgaria visa appointment must be scheduled.
For UK applicants, Bulgaria visa appointments are most commonly done through the Bulgarian Consulate based in London, or a visa application center that is run by external contractors.On the day of your appointment, try to arrive early with all of your necessary documents, since there will be an application process for which you will have to check in to apply for the visa.
Depending on the purpose of your visit, Bulgaria issues various types of visas.Let’s take a closer look at the most common types of visas UK occupants can apply for:
Short stay visa (Type C)
This visa is for people visiting Bulgaria for tourism, business, or cultural activities, or for family visits for 90 days or less.For short visits, this is the most common visa type.You must have this visa if you are not eligible for visa free travel.After that, you will have to book an appointment at the consulate or visa center.
Private visit visa
This visa type is for people visiting family or friends in Bulgaria.In this visa category, you have to provide a Letter of Invitation from the family member or friend you are visiting in Bulgaria.The letter should state the purpose and the duration of your visit.
Long stay visa (Type D)
If you intend to stay in Bulgaria for more than 90 days due to work, studies, or family reunification, you have to get a long stay visa.This visa entails more documentation requirements, and in a couple of cases, you will need to do a biometric appointment at the consulate.
In order to avoid complications and to expedite the processing of your visa application, make sure you are bringing the following documents to your visa appointment for Bulgaria:
Required Documents
Visa application form: The form has to be filled out and signed.Depending on the requirements, you may be asked to fill the form out in either English or Bulgarian.
Your valid passport: Make sure that your passport has been valid for three months after your return from Bulgaria, and ensure that there are at least two blank pages in it to be able to receive a visa stamp.
Photos: You must bring two passport sized color photographs meeting the Bulgarian consulate specifications.
Travel insurance: Present proof of travel Insurance that covers medical assistance and repatriation for a minimum of 30,000 Euros.
Documents proving travel: You must include flight and hotel bookings or a travel itinerary stating your travel and accommodation plan to the Bulgaria visa appointment Completion of the required documents.
To submit your visa application, you must first schedule an appointment.This appointment is important to submit the application, collect biometric information (fingerprints), and possibly conduct an interview.This is a concise outline of how you can schedule your appointment for a Bulgaria visa:
Step 1: Access the official booking platform
You need to access the official online portal where you can schedule an appointment for your visa application.Make sure you have the right portal for visa appointment scheduling for Bulgaria in the UK.
Step 2: Identify the visa type you wish to apply
Choose the category of the visa you are applying for: tourism, business, or long stay.This will lead you to the appropriate documentation checklist and the associated processing timeline.
Step 3: Choose a suitable appointment date
After selecting a visa type, proceed to select a date and time for your appointment.Take note that these date slots can fill, so try to book early.Ideally, an appointment should be made 8 to 12 weeks prior to your intended travel, especially for long stay visas.
Step 4: Finalize your appointment
Next, you will be prompted to provide a few personal details to confirm your appointment.After this, you will receive a confirmation receipt for your appointment.You will need to carry this confirmation with you to your appointment, so be sure to print it out.
Visa applicants may, at their discretion, be required to have a short interview to discuss their intended travel to Bulgaria, as well as provide some or all of the required biometric information for their visa, such as photos or fingerprints.This applies to all visa classes and differing lengths of stay.Gather the required paperwork and prepare yourself for the interview and biometric collection.This will be necessary for your visa application.
Common mistakes to avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying for a Bulgaria visa:
1. Missing your appointment:
When scheduling an appointment, make sure it is confirmed because the consulate and visa application centre do not allow walk in applications.
2. Inadequate documentation:
Be careful that you do not neglect to bring any necessary documents before your appointment.A missing document may jeopardize your application, or lead to additional delays.
3. Applicants that delay applying:
Apply well in advance so that you do not stress.Last minute applications will make it so that you will have limited time to prepare and your appointment will be rushed.
Bulgaria’s visa application prices are divided by the customers’ country of origin and the visa class type.Payment for the visa application is due upon submission at the visa collection center or diplomatic mission.Visa duration and the amount of time it takes to process an application are inversely related.Therefore, apply for your visa at least 2-3 months before you plan to travel to allow for processing time.
You will be informed of the method and time frame for retrieving your passport after you submit your visa application and complete your biometrics.If your visa application is successful, you will receive your passport with your travel visa.If a visa application is denied, one can request a reason for the denial and, if applicable, make an appeal.
If you can outline the necessary steps to obtain Bulgaria visa appointments, and plan your documents, along with the timing of your appointment, the process can be quite simple. Regardless of your reasons for traveling, be it for business, study or leisure, gathering the documentation will serve as a guarantee for the success of your visa application.Following this guide will help make your trip to Bulgaria as trouble free as possible.Have a nice trip and a great time in Bulgaria.
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