Students of certain nationalities can enter Bulgaria but need a visa to enter for a duration of up to and under 90 days as part of a short study stay.

UK Students are exempt from needing a visa to enter Bulgaria to study for a duration of 90 days.

A short-stay visa for the purposes of planned stay is issued to a foreigner who enters the country once, twice or multiple times for a total term of stay up to 90 days within each 6 months as of the date of the first entry.

Further information about the Short-Stay Visa C can be found here.

Gather Your Documents

• A regular foreign travel document
• A photocopy of the pages of the foreign travel document with the personal information and the visas laid and/or a photocopy of the permits for stay possessed
• A recent colorful photograph – passport size
• proof of the possession of the required financial resources for subsistence amounting to a minimum of EUR 50 per day of the stay requested with the visa application or their equivalent in another convertible currency but at least EUR 500 or their equivalent in another convertible currency, or a document of prepaid tourist services
• Documents certifying the possession of the required financial resources for accommodation but at least EUR 50 per day of the stay requested with the visa
• Application or their equivalent in another convertible currency, or a document for prepaid
• Accommodation in a tourist accommodation facility, or an invitation-declaration by a
• Bulgarian natural or legal person with which it undertakes to cover all occurring costs for the period of stay of the foreigner on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria
• Documents certifying the possession of the required financial resources to leave the country or a ticket
• An insurance policy

 A full list of documents can be found here.

How to Apply

There are four VFS Global Centres in the UK which students applying for a short-term visa should submit their application too.

These locations are London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff. To apply, visit the VFS Global centre website.

You can submit your form via the Visa Application Centres.

A long-stay visa of up to 6 months/1 year and can be issued to:

• Foreigners who perform science research
• Students under tuition programmes for up to one year
• Post-graduate or trainee students
• Foreigners sent on assignment by a foreign employer for the performance of specific tasks

Gather Your Documents

Students who wish to apply for the Long-Stay National (D) will need to gather the following documents:

• Visa application form
• A regular foreign travel document
• Copies of the pages of the foreign travel document with the personal information and the visas laid and/or copies of the permits for stay possessed
• Recent passport-size color photograph
• Original documents and two copies thereof substantiating the application for a long stay visa under the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act and the Regulation on its implementation, and of the financial resources possessed for subsistence and accommodation
• A obligatory health insurance
• Sufficient subsistence means

Further information regarding documentation can be found here.

Source: https://www.mfa.bg/en/services-travel/consular-services/travel-bulgaria/visa-bulgaria

How to Apply

The application for issuing a long-stay visa is submitted only in your home country at your nearest consulate location. 

Students must register for short–term employment if you’re in Bulgaria for up to 90 days in a 12-month period.

Prior to applying for a visa, students must make sure their employer applies for an approval for the issuance of a single permit at the Employment Agency.

Approval is depended upon the labour market test and your employer must show:

• They have actively searched for a suitable candidate for the past 15 days;
• There are no Bulgarian/EEA/Swiss nationals or long-term residing in Bulgaria non-EU workers matching the required profile
• There is no possibility of training existing personnel.

Source: EU Immigration Portal ¦ Bulgaria - Employed Worker

Workers - citizens of third countries, posted to the Republic of Bulgaria by their foreign employer for a period of up to three months within 12 months, can perform certain tasks without a work permit and based on a one-time registration of employment with the Employment Agency /AZ/. Students should check directly with the Consulate 

Workers from third countries can carry out labour activities in the Republic of Bulgaria only for the specific receiving enterprise, after successfully having submitted and received an approved declaration to the Employment Agency for employment.

Gather Your Documents

Students applying for a short-term employment need to gather the following documents:

• UK passport with 2 blank pages, valid for 3 months after your intended departure date
• 3 completed original application forms (not photocopies), signed and stamped by the Bulgarian company
• Service contract between your UK employer and the Bulgarian company
• Assignment agreement with your UK employer
• Declaration of compliance with Bulgarian labour laws
• Original company registration certificate for the UK company
• Confirmation letter issued by your UK employer with the terms and conditions of your short-term work

Your Employers Responsibilities

1. Your Host employer registers your employment with the central administration of the employment agency in person, or by registered post. If sending it by post, they need to make sure they get evidence of delivery (a return receipt). This is to show it was submitted at least 10 days before you’re due to start work.
2. Your Host employer notifies the General Labour Inspectorate of where you’ll be working once you’re registered. They must do this within 7 days of registering your employment.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-bulgaria-for-work

Prior to you starting work your employer needs to submit your work permit application (use browser translation tool) to the Bulgarian Migration Directorate (local authority). Once your work permit has been approved, you can go ahead and apply for your Visa.

UK Students need to apply for a National Visa D and upon entry you collect your work permit once you get to Bulgaria. If you’re staying longer than your visa you need to apply for a residence permit.

Source: EU Immigration Portal ¦ Bulgaria - Employed Worker

Further information regarding Residence Permits for students and interns can be found here.

Gather Your Documents

To apply for a Single Permit you must gather the following documents:

• A copy of national ID
• A certificate showing no previous convictions, issued by your country of origin or country of usual residence;
• Evidence for stable, regular, providable and sufficient maintenance funds without referring to the social assistance system in the amount not lower than the minimal monthly work salary, the minimal stipendium or the minimal pension for the country, for the term of residence on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria:
- Accommodation
- Health insurance
- Secondary professional education (or higher), or specific professional qualifications and experience corresponding to the objective requirements of the occupation if required by the employer.

A full list of documents can be found here.

How to Apply

Once the work permit has been approved, students should apply at the nearest Bulgarian embassy/consulate in their home country.

Upon Arrival

After you arrive, you have five days to notify your address of residence to the competent authorities.