Who may receive a long-term residence permit?
A foreigner to whom a Visa D has been issued, may apply for long-term residence permit. The conditions under which such permit may be granted are very strict. Those who are willing to reside long term in the country, shall meet one of the following requirements:
- willing to work under an employment contract, after being granted with a permit by the Bulgarian Ministry of labor and social policy;
- carry out commercial activity in Bulgaria, i.e. to register a commercial entity in the Republic of Bulgaria (learn how here). In result of the commercial activity at least 10 new full time workplaces for Bulgarian citizens shall be opened;
- is a representative of foreign commercial entity, registered in the Bulgarian Chamber of commerce and industry (BCCI) – learn more about this legal basis in our BLOG page;
- is a parent of Bulgarian citizen or legal foreigner with long-term residence permit;
- has a marriage with Bulgarian citizen;
- have been admitted to long-term treatment in a hospital and have sufficient funds to pay for such treatment;
- the foreigner is a member of family of another foreigner who has been granted a long-term residence permit or is a permanent resident in Bulgaria;
- wants to work as a freelancer and has been granted a relevant permission by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy;
- the foreigner wants to carry on non-profit activity in Bulgaria (learn how here), after been granted with a relevant permission by the Ministry of Justice;
- the foreigner himself or his company has invested not less than 600 000 BGN in real estates on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The full amount of the investment shall be payed till the date of long-term permit application submission;
- a foreigner who has made an investment in economically disadvantaged regions. The investment shall be made as a contribution in the capital of Bulgarian company, and it shall be not less than 250 000 BGN. The foreigner should be a partner or shareholder in the company. As a result of the contribution, some tangible or intangible fixed assets for the amount of not less than 250 000 BGN shall be acquired by the company;
- if the foreigner is a student, an intern or is admitted in university on full time study.
Are there any additional requirements?
Yes, there are. The Bulgarian legislation sets out some additional conditions for long-term residence permit. They are as follows: the foreigner should have provided an evidence for accommodation and paid health insurance contributions. the applicant for Visa D has to provide evidence that he or she has sufficient funds of subsistence, without relying on Bulgarian social system. The means of subsistence must be in an amount not less than the minimum salary, the minimum student scholarship or the minimum pension in the Republic of Bulgaria.
What is the procedure?
In case of the foreigner meets one of the above-mentioned legal basis and provides evidence of additional conditions, he will be able to submit his application for long-term residence permit to the Migration sector at the Ministry of interior affairs. The application shall be considered within 14-day period. The application fee is BGN 10. There is an additional application fee that should be paid after obtaining the permission.
How long is the permit granted for?
The long-term residence permit shall be granted for a period up to 1 year. It may be renewed at the request of the foreigner when that period ends. The granted permit for long-term residence allows the foreigner to leave the country and return back to it without additional visa until the expiry of the time allowed to stay. Before the expiration of the permit, the foreigner must leave the country.
