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Its beautiful landscapes. Apart from the pretty scenery, there are many historical sites all over this country, including its capital, Sofia.
So, if you are planning a vacation to this country or have other reasons to visit there, you should know about the proper travel authorisation that permits you to enter here, which is in terms of a valid visa.
Here in this blog, we will provide all the necessary details regarding the application for a Bulgaria visa for Indians, and the simplest way to do it without fail. Read on to learn about the entire application process, documents necessary, eligibility criteria, and processing time to ensure a smooth visa application process before your trip to Bulgaria.
Yes, if you are an Indian citizen wanting to visit Bulgaria, you need a valid visa to enter this country. Nonetheless, if you are an Indian Diplomatic & Official passport-holder, then you do not require any visa to enter Bulgaria.
Moreover, if you have a valid Schengen visa, you may enter and stay in Bulgaria for a period of up to 3 months within each 6 month period from the date of first entering the country without a Bulgarian visa. However, holders of single-entry Schengen visas and those whose Schengen visas have been utilised completely are not allowed to enter this country.
In order to be eligible to obtain a Bulgaria visa for Indians, you need to meet certain criteria. Here are some of the must-have Bulgaria visa requirements for Indian citizens.
Capable of Bearing Expenses - Your financial capacity should be able to cover your expenditures and those accompanying you to Bulgaria.
A Motive for Returning to Your Home Country - You should have close relations with people back home or a stable job to ensure you will return to India by the end of the trip.
Uphold Good Character - Your background should be clean and free from criminal charges. This can easily be proved by presenting a PCC or Police Clearance Certificate, which is mandatory.
Be an Honest Traveller - You must surely not be an imposter or fake your identity and have a legitimate reason to travel to that country.
Stay Healthy - You need to have the minimum health requirements as will be stated by the visa officials to be allowed in Bulgaria.
There are several types of Bulgaria visas available for Indian citizens, and each type depends on the purpose of your visit. So determining which type of visa you need to apply for is the first step to the application process.
Below are the common Bulgaria visas for Indian citizens:
Tourist visa
Business visa
Transit visa
Student visa
These types of visas are further categorised into 3 main types, which depend on the duration of the stay. The categories are:
Bulgaria Airport Transit Visa (Visa A)
It allows the holder to pass through a Bulgarian airport when travelling to another destination. However, it does not allow the holder to leave the airport and enter Bulgaria.
Bulgaria Short-Stay Visa (Visa C)
A Bulgaria short-stay visa (Visa c) allows a stay for not more than 90 days during a total period of six months for tourism, work or family purposes.
Bulgaria Long-Stay Visa (Visa D)
A long-stay visa (Visa D) is issued for foreigners desiring to work, study or retire abroad within Bulgaria.
Here are the different validity periods of each type of Bulgaria e-visa for Indian citizens:
Bulgaria Visa Types | Validity of Visa |
---|---|
Type A Visa | Usually, it is short term permitting you to transit through the international zone of the Bulgarian airport. The visa is only valid for a short period, and it will expire by your flight departure from the airport. |
Type C Visa | For a limited period for instance not exceeding 90 days over 180 days. |
Type D Visa | Stays for long periods, often more than 90 days. In extraordinary cases, a Type D visa may last up to three years and beyond. |
Usually, processing a Bulgaria visa for Indians takes 10-15 working days. Nonetheless, the time period may vary depending on the verification process or workload of the consulate or embassy of Bulgaria.
The Bulgaria visa fees for Indians depend mainly on the visitor's age. Because it is a European country and the fee is in euros, it can fluctuate as per the currency exchange rate. So it is advisable to always check the exchange rate before paying the fees.
Here are the fees for a Bulgaria visa for Indians:
Type of Visas | Visa Fees |
---|---|
Bulgaria Visa for Adults | EUR 60 or Rs. 5400 approximately (as per current exchange rate) |
Bulgaria visa for children (6-12 years old) | EUR 35 or Rs. 3200 approximately (as per current exchange rate) |
Following are the documents required to apply for the Bulgaria visa for Indians.
Your passport should be issued not earlier than three months before your departure and contain at least two free pages for necessary visas.
A duly filled application form.
Coloured passport photos.
A travel insurance certificate.
Medical insurance for at least one month, valid for 30,000 EUR or more.
Proof that you have a return flight ticket and proof that you will be accommodated during your stay.
A birth certificate and parental notarised consent for minors travelling alone, with one parent or with a third party.
Documentation indicating that you will be able to finance your stay. You must budget at least 50 euros (approx. Rs. 4500) per day, or you must ensure that the overall cost is not less than 500 euros (approx. Rs. 45000).
The first page of the current passport copy.
Below are some essential photo requirements that you must follow while applying for your Bulgarian visa.
The picture should be in colour.
Head size and position: There should be a straight line from the top, which should be facing forward.
Quantity needed in application: 3 units.
Eyes must be visible.
The size should have a height of 45mm and a breadth of 35mm.
You should not smile while clicking the picture.
The pictures have to be recent, and they should not be older than 6 months.
Glasses: It is okay if they do not alter your face.
The ears should be seen on the frame properly.
Ensure that the image is clear.
Any pale colour is advisable as the background (light grey, white).
Dimensions and size (pixels): at least 600 dpi.
Attire, clothing, and dress code: in contrast with the background.
Beards are allowed only on condition that they reflect your everyday look.
By following the steps given below, you can apply for a Bulgaria visa for Indians seamlessly. Make sure to properly follow each step so that no chance of rejection is left!
Step 1: First, identify which visa type you are going to need. As we already discussed, the visa type entirely depends on the purpose and duration of your visit.
Step 2: Check if you are eligible to apply for a Bulgaria visa for Indian citizens.
Step 3: Choose a Visa Application Centre nearby and start the whole application process by making an appointment first.
Step 4: Pay the necessary Bulgaria visa fees for Indians.
Step 5: Keep an eye on your visa application status. A Bulgarian visa is usually processed in 10-15 days.
Step 6: You'll be notified once your visa is completed. Collect your visa and then, finally, you can start your trip.
A mistake or error at any time during this process, no matter how simple or challenging it is, will lead to an unsuccessful application. Therefore, one should learn about some of the frequently denied reasons for visa application before submitting it to be prepared and make no errors.
Visas can be rejected on several grounds, and here are the most common reasons for visa rejection to look out for:
Incomplete Application
An immediate ground for rejection of a visa application is that there are missing specifications in your application or it has inconsistent information. Failure to fill any empty column and different information with those contained in your international travel document may make your request for a travel facility be declined.
Criminal Record
Your application will be negatively affected if you have any previous criminal convictions in your country. This may lead an embassy that is assessing your visa application to regard you as a potential danger to their citizen, thus rejecting your visa.
Incomplete Travel Details
A well-detailed travel plan forms part of your visa application. The applicant should provide evidence that they have completed their flight and hotel bookings as a necessary component of their online visa application.
Also, it is essential to ensure that the reservations you make are real and not placeholder bookings because similar things can also result in the rejection of your Bulgaria visa for Indians. It is important to show a booked return flight back to your own country when applying for the visa.
Lack of Funds
One of the most frequent reasons for rejecting visas is insufficient funds. If you are visiting a different country, ensure you demonstrate that you have adequate financial resources for the duration of your travel and also return. This will make sure that you are not allowed to exceed your stay, thereby, saving the host country from incurring any inconvenience.
Passport Issues
Your visa request will be rejected if you have an expired, or fraudulent passport. For instance, a Bulgaria visa for Indians application should show that your passport has at least two empty pages and that it is valid for at least six months after the entry date of your destination state.
Lack of Ties to Your Home Country
You should show that you are strongly connected to your homeland and willing to leave that place by the end of the short-term period you’re staying in their country.
If your visa gets rejected, don’t panic. Follow the tips given below to deal with the situation and rectify your errors.
Do not commit the same blunder twice. So re-check any data that you gave out on your application form.
You must reapply for a Bulgaria visa for Indians with the right information to ensure that your application is accepted the second time. Review your prior errors so that you do not repeat them when filling out your current application.
Talk to the officials of the embassy in Bulgaria or the consulate and establish the reasons for the rejection of your application. It is still worth applying even if they don't make reasons for the mistake in order to get the grant once again.
Ensure that all the documents you have uploaded conform with the required regulations. Ensure that your first application is correct, or you will have a chance of receiving a Bulgarian visa online for Indians on your second or third application.
A holiday to Bulgaria will surely soothe your soul and will provide you with a lifetime of memories. Anyway, vacation or work, no matter what makes you visit this country, a smooth visa application process will contribute to an overall good trip.
Hopefully, this blog has helped you in understanding the whole application process for a Bulgaria visa for Indians and other things regarding it. However, other than a visa, what you must need for your international trip is- travel insurance. Not only because you need to show the insurance certificate while applying for your visa, but most importantly for your safety. Travel insurance can safeguard you from a lot of financial damages.
So get travel insurance, get your visa, and you are all set to visit Bulgaria!
The overstay of a visa exposes you to fines and other legal consequences including deportation. Ensure you operate only within the prescribed period and observe visa laws too.
People planning a visit to Bulgaria are strongly advised to apply for a visa at least three months in advance. This leaves much more time for processing and possible additional writing and there are no last-minute complications.
In case your Bulgaria visa application is refused, it would be hard to get a refund. Make sure that all required documents are correct, by criteria, etc. to enhance chances of approval.
A tourist who is an Indian citizen needs to present his/her passport as well as fill out online application forms, evidence of accommodation, confirmed flight reservations, proof of insurance coverage, and financial means to cater for the entire period.
Although not compulsory, Indians should get travel insurance in their applications for Bulgarian visas. It gives users financial peace of mind during their journey allowing for smooth sailing throughout.
Processing times for Bulgaria work visas for Indian nationals could be different. It generally takes 15 days on average to process the visa. One must make an application early enough because the processing time will depend on the kind of work visa requested and whether the application has fully been filled.
While there are no specific health requirements, it's advisable to have a medical insurance policy to cover any unforeseen health issues during your stay in Bulgaria. This ensures you receive proper medical care if needed.