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How to Track Your Bulgarian Visa Application Status in 2025

If you have applied for a Bulgarian visa, waiting for a decision can turn out to be a stressful experience, particularly if you have a travel deadline or other important plans. Unfortunately, the Bulgarian visa application process does not offer an easy way for applicants to track the progress of their Bulgarian visa application and check their Bulgarian visa application status. This guide outlines some important aspects you need to keep in mind about how to check the progress of your visa application.

Bulgarian Bar register

Is It Possible to Track a Bulgarian Visa Application Online?

As of 2025, there is no functional online platform that allows you to monitor your Bulgarian visa status in real time. The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has an e-service platform which claims to let applicants check their D-type visa status. However, many users report that clicking the relevant link leads to a blank or non-functional page.

Numerous websites and forums suggest alternatives, but none of them provide a working method for tracking your visa status online.

How to track my Bulgarian visa application status?

If you're applying for a Bulgarian visa, you may be wondering how to track the status of your application online. Unfortunately, despite the presence of various websites and services that claim to offer real-time visa tracking, there is currently no reliable system in place for monitoring the progress of a Bulgarian visa application.

While it may seem outdated and less convenient, calling the relevant authority directly is still considered the most effective way to get accurate updates on your application status.

The section below outlines the reasons why tracking a Bulgarian visa is challenging and suggests alternative steps you can take to stay informed throughout the process.

Why Is Tracking Your Bulgarian Visa Status So Difficult?

The main challenge lies in the lack of coordination between different government institutions involved in visa processing. Once your application is submitted at the Bulgarian consular office abroad, your documents go through the following process:

  • Local Migration Office: Your file is sent to the Migration Directorate in the region where you have declared residence (e.g., Migration Sector – Burgas if your address is in Burgas).
  • National Security Agency (DANS): Reviews your file for background and address verification
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA): Provides a final opinion after considering the previous assessments.
  • Visa Center: Receives the decision and stores your visa for collection.

Because of this multi-stage process and poor communication between departments, it is extremely difficult to receive updates on where your application is at any given time.

Can You Call to Inquire About Your Visa Application?

In theory, yes – but in practice, it rarely works:

  • If you call the visa center or embassy, you may be told they cannot provide any information due to identity verification concerns.
  • Language barriers are another issue – many consular staff do not speak English or are unwilling to assist in languages other than Bulgarian.

In rare cases, if you reach a cooperative officer, they may ask for your passport number and full name and inform you of your visa’s status.

Tip: Always have your passport number ready when calling consular offices.

How Will You Know When Your Bulgarian Visa Is Ready?

During the D visa application process, you are required to provide a contact phone number and email address. Once the visa is approved and ready for collection, an embassy representative will call you directly to notify you.

Important: Make sure you provide a valid and active phone number that can receive calls during business hours (typically 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM local time).

You do not need a prior appointment to collect your visa once you are notified.

What If No One Contacts You About Your Visa?

If it’s been several weeks and you haven’t received a call or email:

  • Call or email the Bulgarian consular office where you submitted your application.
  • Ask if your visa is ready for collection – however, don't expect them to details about the current stage of your application.

Persistence and politeness often yield better results in these situations.

What If There Is No Update After 3 Months?

If more than 90 days have passed without any update:

  1. Assume the embassy may have failed to notify you.
  2. Begin contacting institutions one by one, starting with the consulate.
  3. If you live nearby, consider visiting the embassy in person (if permitted).

This delay is more common with family reunification visas. These are typically processed within 30 to 45 calendar days.

Final Thoughts: Stay Informed Without Online Tracking

Checking your Bulgarian visa application status is a crucial step in the application process. It helps you stay informed and provides an estimate of how much longer you might need to wait for a decision. By checking your Bulgarian visa application status regularly, you can ensure that your application is moving through the process as expected and that there are no issues or delays.

Additionally, tracking your Bulgarian visa application status can help you identify any errors or omissions in your application and allow you to correct them before it’s too late. For example, if you notice that your application has been pending for longer than the average processing time, you may want to contact your local Bulgarian embassy to enquire about the status of your application and ensure that there are no problems that need to be resolved.

Need Help with Your Bulgarian Visa Application?

If you’re struggling to understand the Bulgarian visa process or need expert assistance, consider consulting a professional immigration advisor. Do you need help applying for a UK visa or assistance with Bulgarian visa tracking? Our expert immigration team is ready to assist you with your case, no matter how diffiuclt your situation is.