Visas

Visas according to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act are three types: Visa А (airport transit), Visa С (for a short stay for the purpose of transit or a planned stay) and Visa D (long-term stay). Our foreign clients usually contact us for assistance for the issue of Visa C or Visa D issue.

Visa С applications are submitted in two cases: for the purpose of transit passing through the territory of Bulgaria (within 48 hours, when travelling to another country) or for a short-term stay on the territory of Bulgaria for up to 90 days within a period of 180 days (usually for seasonal work on the territory of Bulgaria after receiving seasonal employment permit by the national Employment Agency).

A foreigner can apply for visa D on many grounds when he wishes to acquire a short-term (up to 1 year), long-term (initially up to 5 years) or permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria.

Work in Bulgaria

Bulgarian law allows different categories of foreigners to work in the country. Equal access to the Bulgarian labour market is provided to citizens of other EU Member States, EEA States or the Swiss Confederation, who are treated equally, but there are certain requirements and restrictions for access to the labour market for citizens of third countries. The latter must have a work permit.

A work permit is not required for foreigners with long-term or permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria or with equal rights on the grounds of granted asylum or international protection in the Republic of Bulgaria.

1. Permit to access the labour market shall be required in the following cases:

• “Unified residence and work permit” by the Ministry of Interior;
• Employment of highly qualified foreigner in connection with the issuance of an EU Blue Card by the bodies of the Ministry of Interior;
• Seasonal employment from 90 days to 9 months;
• Intra-corporate transfer of employees;
• Employment of seconded workers and employees;
• Employment of family members who have received a residence permit on the grounds of Art. 24, para. 1, item 13 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act;
• Carrying out freelance activities.

2. Registration of workers citizens of third countries is allowed in the following cases:

• Work of persons of Bulgarian origin;
• Seconding for the provision of services on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of up to three months /or six months/ within 12 months;
• Seasonal employment up to 90 days;
• Work of researchers for the purposes of conducting a research project;
• Work of full-time students in higher schools in Bulgaria;
• Work of interns under an employment contract with a condition for internship.

3. The employer shall declare that third-country citizens are employed by him in the case of:

• Family members under Art.9, para.1, items 2, 5 and 6 of Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act.
• Foreigners with rights under Art.29, para.3 of the Asylum and refugees Act;
• Foreigners with rights under Art. 44a, para.4 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act;
• Foreigners with rights under Art. 25 of the Anti-human trafficking Act.

Citizenship

The grounds on which a foreigner can obtain Bulgarian citizenship are different, but the most common cases are Bulgarian citizenship by origin, place of birth, naturalization (when at least 5 years ago he received a permanent or long-term residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria), in case of marriage with a Bulgarian citizen. For more information on the requirements for acquiring Bulgarian citizenship, please contact us.