1. Home /
  2. Visa Type C

Visa Type C

What Is a Type C Visa?

Type C visas are issued for short-term visits and allow holders to stay in the Republic of Bulgaria for a period that depends on the document’s validity. This type of visa allows foreign citizens to remain in Bulgaria for no more than 3 months within a 6-month period from the date of the first entry.

Do I Need a Type C Visa for Bulgaria?

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a Type C visa:
  • EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
  • The European Economic Area (EEA) includes all EU countries and also Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway. Switzerland is neither an EU nor EEA member but is part of the single market, meaning that Swiss nationals have the same rights to visit Bulgaria as other EEA nationals.
  • The following Balkan countries are required to present a biometric passport (e-passport) for entry: Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and Serbia.
  • The following passport holders are required to hold a valid biometric passport: USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan. Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.

What Types of Short-Stay Visas Are Available for Bulgaria?

According to the type of short-term visa issued by the Bulgarian embassy/consulate, different restrictions apply to the particular visa in accordance with the nature of the visit and other relevant circumstances.

Short-term type C visas are divided into 2 categories (listed below), depending on the purpose of the travel:

  1. Type C Visa for the Purpose of Transit

    This short-stay visa is granted to applicants who are using Bulgaria as a transit stop on their way to their final destination. Basically, the applicant's itinerary includes a layover in Bulgaria and he/she may stop there but they will have no other privileges.

    This visa is valid for up to 12 months and allows its holder to enter Bulgaria one, two, or (as an exception) three transit passages for up to 2 days.

  2. Type C Visa for the Purpose of a Planned Visit

    This visa allows applicants to enter Bulgaria multiple times during a period no longer than 90 days within a 180-day period. This type of visa is usually valid for up to 1 year or – as an exception – for up to 5 years. A visa invitation letter must be provided to clarify the purpose of the visit.

    Since there can be multiple reasons to visit Bulgaria, there are additional types of invitation letters. Some types require additional supporting documentation to certify that the information contained in the letter is true and accurate.

    Multiple visa C for the purposes of a planned Stay is issued for:

    Private visits
    Requires an invitation declaration from a Bulgarian national
    Business visits
    Requires an invitation declaration from a Bulgarian national
    Cultural exchange
    Requires an invitation letter from the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture or mayor of the respective municipality
    Sports
    Requires an invitation letter from the Ministry of Youth and Sport or from a respective sports club
    Medical treatment
    Requires a certificate from the medical facility issued on the basis of treatment procedures.. Alternatively, a discharge summary from a hospital can be presented. If there are no such procedures, a certificate cannot be issued
    Tourism
    Requires one of the following:
    • A booking from a Bulgarian tourist accommodation facility (e.g. hotel, hostel, guest house)
    • An airplane ticket/itinerary or proof of departure
    • A tourist voucher/coupon from a travel agent/general list of the tourists from a single group

Where Can I Apply for My Visa C for Bulgaria?

All applicants must apply in person at the nearest Bulgarian embassy/consulate in their area of residence no later than 3 months prior to the visit. It’s essential to thoroughly review all visa-related information on their website for local procedures and guidance (e.g. how to arrange an interview appointment).

How to Apply for My Visa C?

Most visa applicants will need to set up a visa appointment with an embassy or consulate. Their website should provide information such as specific local instructions about scheduling appointments, submitting your visa application, and other frequently asked questions. Embassy and consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for exchange visitors who need an earlier visa appointment. This procedure varies from country to country.

What's next?

Visit the visa application process section to learn more about the entire process, and what to do next. If you have any questions related to information contained on this page, please don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected].