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Useful information for foreigners visiting Bulgaria

What is the Type C Visa used for?

published on 6/5/24 10:35 AM

Author: Miglena Ivanova

Photo: Pixabay

In a series of publications, Radio Bulgaria provides information to help foreigners coming to Bulgaria for various reasons. Visas are an issue that concerns people travelling around the world. Its answer depends on which country they are visiting and for how long, as well as which country they are coming from. Since we have already told you about the Type A visa, which is used for airport transit, we will now tell you about the Bulgarian Type C visa.

What is the Type C Visa used for?

- For transit through Bulgaria.

- For planned short-term stay in Bulgaria.

Where is it issued?

- Visas are issued by the diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Bulgaria.

When is a visa issued for transit through Bulgaria?

- When a foreigner from a third country wishes to cross the territory of Bulgaria on his/her way to another country for which he/she holds a visa, if such is required. It entitles the holder to one, two or (exceptionally) several transits, each for up to two days. It may be valid for up to 12 months. The total duration of stay on the territory of Bulgaria with this visa may not exceed 90 days within 6 months.

Special case of transit through the country:

- Transit crossing is defined as arrival by flight from one country and departure by flight to another country within two days.

When do third-country nationals not need a transit visa?

- When they have a Schengen /single entry visa/, a long stay visa, a residence permit from one of the Schengen countries;

- When they have national short-stay visas, long-stay visas and residence permits in Romania or Cyprus;

- Where they have residence permits issued by Liechtenstein.

Sofia Airport

Are there specific requirements?

- The traveller must show that he/she has the necessary means of subsistence for each transit in the amount of a minimum of €50, or its equivalent in another freely convertible currency, and in the case of transit in a vehicle driven by the person, additional means in the amount of a minimum of €200;

- The traveller must also have insurance from a company licensed to operate in the EU with a minimum coverage of €30,000.

When is a type C visa issued for the purpose of a planned short stay?

- When the foreigner enters the country once, twice or repeatedly for a total period of stay of up to 90 days in any 6-month period. A multiple-entry visa for short stay can be valid for up to 12 months or, exceptionally, up to 5 years.

What conditions must be met by a foreigner who wants to obtain a multiple short-stay visa?

- To maintain lasting business contacts with Bulgarian natural or legal persons operating in accordance with the Commercial Act or the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act;

- To maintain permanent business contacts with representative offices of foreign legal entities registered under the Investment Promotion Act;

- To have a significant personal contribution to the development of bilateral relations;

- Be a member of the family of a Bulgarian citizen, a citizen of an EU country, the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation, or of the family of another foreigner residing in Bulgaria on a long-term basis, while maintaining his/her habitual residence abroad.

- be a driver in international road transport or a crew member in rail passenger and freight transport.

More useful information from Radio Bulgaria:

What is Type A Visa and who needs it?

What are the conditions for foreigners to receive health care in Bulgaria?

Who can apply and how is EU Blue Card for the right to work in Bulgaria issued

Conditions for employment of foreigners in Bulgaria

Thousands of workers from abroad come to fill in the job vacancies in Bulgaria

Photos: archive, Pixabay

English publication by Rositsa Petkova

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