Bulgarian Visa Interview

How to Prepare for a Visa Interview?

If you're planning to apply for a visa to Bulgaria, it is essential to prepare for your visa interview. This is your opportunity to show the embassy or consulate staff that you're eligible for the visa and that all your documents are in order. To ensure that you're ready for the visa interview, it's important to know which documents to bring and what questions you may be asked.

How Do I Book a Bulgarian Visa Appointment?

You must schedule a Bulgarian visa appointment before attending one. To schedule an appointment, you need to contact the Bulgarian consulate or embassy in your country of residence by phone or email. Bulgarian embassies usually schedule appointment slots based on the demand for visa appointments.

Dress appropriately and arrive on time - this will show respect and demonstrate your seriousness in obtaining your visa.

IMPORTANT! Your visa application will not be processed if you simply walk into the Bulgarian embassy without a pre-booked appointment.

Who Must Attend the Visa Interview?

You, your spouse, and any children/children-in-law applying with you must participate in the interview. If your family members apply at a later date and travel separately from you, they are not required to participate in the interview. They will be scheduled to attend a separate interview. Contact the Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate to arrange separate interview appointments if necessary.

What to Bring to the Visa Interview?

At the beginning of the interview, you'll need to have all application supporting documents ready to be handed over to a Consular Officer for inspection. You'll also need to pay the applicable visa fee, which will allow your documents to be reviewed. The fee you pay for your visa application is for processing it and making a decision, regardless of the outcome. This means that no refund will be made if your visa application is rejected.

What Documents Do I Need to Get a Visa?

This mainly depends on the type of Bulgarian visa you're applying for. You can find out what documents are needed in the relevant visa section: short-term type C visa or long-term type D visa.

All applicants are responsible for bringing all the required original or certified copy documents to the visa interview. Failure to present all required documents to the Consular Officer may cause a delay or refusal of the visa. You must carefully review the list of required documents for your visa and avoid handing over the original documents, as only your passport will be returned to you. The visa interview will allow the Consular Officer to assess your application while verifying all provided documents. You'll be asked to reschedule the visa interview if there are incorrect or missing documents.

Sometimes mistakes on application documents can be disastrous, regardless of whether you knew that there was an incorrect document. If the mistake is interpreted by the Consular Officer as an attempt to deceive or mislead, the visa application will be rejected.

What Happens at the Visa Interview?

Before preparing for your Bulgarian visa interview, it's essential to understand the visa interview questions that you'll be asked. Bulgarian visas can be granted on various grounds, and based on the specific grounds of the visa, the Consular Officer may ask specific questions. However, more generic questions will focus on your purpose of travel and your personal background. Additionally, the visa interviewer may ask about your financial resources, job history, family situation, and education level. On average, interviews are quick, and applicants are asked between 2 and 5 questions. Be confident and prepared to answer all the questions that your Bulgarian visa interview may throw your way!

Usually, the interviewer opens the conversation by commenting on the weather, traffic, or the long queue outside the embassy. The purpose of this is to make you feel relaxed and to alleviate any stress or anxiety you may be feeling. Listen carefully to the questions asked and allow the interviewer to lead the conversation.

What Questions Do They Ask in a Bulgarian Visa Interview?

The 6 most commonly asked questions during a Bulgarian visa interview are the following (or at least the most common ones my clients have been asked during their visa interviews):

What is the purpose of your trip to Bulgaria?: If you are traveling to Bulgaria for tourism or leisure, retirement, business purposes, making an investment, private medical treatment, or to take part in creative or sports events, let the interviewer know your plans. This is usually a warm-up question. Answer in two to three sentences and clearly explain the reasons behind your visit.
Do you have any relatives or friends in Bulgaria?: Even if you have distant relatives or friends you have only met once or twice, inform the Consular Officer. The purpose of this question is to determine if the visa applicant intends to remain in Bulgaria illegally. Withholding such information may make the reason for your visit appear suspicious.
How long will you be staying in Bulgaria?: Whether you will be staying for five days, three weeks, two months, or any other duration, provide the Consular Officer with the length of your stay. The Officer will compare your answer to the submitted documents to ensure that you are providing accurate information and not attempting to overstay in the country without legal status.
Why do you plan to stay for that long? Can't you stay for a shorter time?: This question is usually asked to applicants who intend to stay for an extended period. If you have such plans, prepare a strong reason behind it, so you can provide the interviewer with a comprehensive explanation. Keep in mind that your visa will be granted based on the length of time you plan to stay in Bulgaria.
What do you do for a living? What is your income?: Provide details about your profession, what you do, and how long you have been working there. You may also need to report your monthly earnings. This applies to any other type of business activity that generates income.
How much do you think your stay in Bulgaria will cost you?: Although there is no fixed minimum amount required in your bank account, it is advisable to state that your available funds for the stay are at least equivalent to 12 Bulgarian minimum monthly salaries.

Prepare an itinerary for your time in the country, including all types of expenses. Present this itinerary to the Consular Officer and provide further details. This will demonstrate that you have planned for your trip, and that you have estimated the cost of your stay.

What’s Next?

Applying for a Bulgarian visa can be daunting, but preparing for the visa interview can make the process much easier. Ensure that you have the required documents, understand the visa application process, and are familiar with the visa interview questions. This will help you make the most of your experience.

If you have any questions related to the information on this page, need legal assistance, or a lawyer who can take on your case, please contact me at [email protected]. With the right preparation and mindset, we can work together to get your visa approved.