Bulgaria has a lot to offer to travelers coming from all over the world. The historical sites are abundant in number and the mesmerizing beaches add charm to the country’s landscapes.
So, if you are planning a trip to Bulgaria from Pakistan to visit the capital Sofia, apply for a visa first.
Therefore, the following article will help you identify the Bulgaria visa from Pakistan requirements, the application process, and certain frequently asked questions.
Facts about Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a country famous for its Black Sea coastline, rivers such as the Danube, and mountains. Moreover, it is a Balkan nation located in Southern Europe.
Moreover, Bulgarian culture is greatly influenced by Ottoman, Slavic, Persian, and Greek. Therefore, you can witness it in the music, dance, crafts, costumes, and heritage of Bulgaria.
Besides, its capital city, Sofia, lies at the foot of the mountain Vitosha. In addition, it is the oldest city, dating back to the 5th century B.C.
When Did Bulgaria Join the Schengen Area?
As per the Council Decision of the EU considering the Schengen provisions, Bulgaria became a member of the Schengen Area on March 31, 2024. Along with it, Romania is the latest to join this zone.
Initially, both countries abolished the internal air and sea border checks. However, the Council has to decide to eliminate the checkpoints at the internal land borders according to the 2005 Act of Accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania, Article 4(2).
Visa Policy of Bulgaria
The visa policy of Bulgaria is similar to the visa policy of the European Union and has been in action since January 1, 2007. The conditions of the policy are made under the Act of Accession.
Uniform Schengen visa
Since March 31, 2024, the Uniform Schengen visa issued by the Republic of Bulgaria is valid throughout the Schengen Area. Therefore, it allows the holder to travel to the entire Schengen Zone considering the rules, i.e., 90 days stay within one hundred and eighty days.
The period begins to be counted the moment you enter the Schengen Region or Bulgaria.
Short-stay Schengen visa
Another category is the national short-stay visas issued by Bulgaria before 31 March 2024. According to it, those visas will remain valid as per their validity period. Moreover, this visa type allows travelers to visit Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus only. You cannot travel to other Schengen Member States.
In case you want to visit other Schengen countries, apply for a separate Schengen visa.
Long-stay Schengen visa
According to Article 2 of the Council Decision EU 2024/210, the Republic of Bulgaria issues long-stay visas and residence permits.
A long-stay visa permits you to travel freely within the entire Schengen region regardless of the internal border checks.
On the other hand, a residence permit entitles the holder to stay in other Schengen countries for a short period.
Visa-free regime
The Republic of Bulgaria allows citizens of certain countries to enter its territory without a visa. Surprisingly, they can enjoy their trip to the Schengen region for almost three months (90 days). In case of longer stays than 90 days, apply for a Schengen visa.
The countries are as follows:
However, they must have a biometric passport to enjoy a visa-free trip to Bulgaria for ninety days.
Bulgaria Visa Types
Bulgaria is a part of the Schengen region. It includes almost 28 other Schengen countries including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The following are the broader visa types you can choose from when traveling to Bulgaria.
Type A
A Type A or Airport Transit visa is issued to those travelers who need to change planes at the Bulgaria International Airport to travel to the main destination.
Type C
A Schengen or Type C visa can be used for short-term purposes. It is valid for six months, allowing you to stay for 90 days in the target country. You can use it for the following reasons.
- Tourism visa
- Business visa
- Visitor visa
- Short-term study visa
Type D
A National or Type D visa allows you to stay in Bulgaria for more than 90 days. Besides, Pakistani citizens can apply for a long-stay visa for the following purposes.
- Employment
- Long-term study program
- Family reunification
Documents Needed for a Bulgaria Visa from Pakistan
Submitting the following supporting documents will help increase the approval chances of a Bulgaria visa from Pakistan.
Passport
Pakistani citizens are required to submit their passports with a validity of at least six months ahead of their departure from Bulgaria. Moreover, this travel document must have sufficient blank pages and should not be older than the last ten years.
Visa application form
Furthermore, completing a visa application form is the most important element of the entire process. You can download it through online resources or get it through the Embassy of Bulgaria in Pakistan.
In addition, the form is divided into four sections requesting information about your personal details, travel information, accommodation plans, dates, and signatures.
ID card
For verification of your identity and nationality, the relevant embassy may ask you to submit your Pakistani CNIC.
Pictures
Another vital element of this visa process is attaching two passport-size pictures to the visa application form. Besides, they should be according to the Schengen photo guidelines.
For example, the photo must have a light color background, a size of 35*40mm, 70-80% of the face and shoulders should be covered, etc.
FRC
Submitting a family registration certificate is another requirement for Pakistani citizens. The document is issued by NADRA. Besides, make sure that the document is in the English language before submitting it to the embassy.
Residence permit
If you are a third-world country national living in Pakistan for almost three months, make sure to show your residence permit. This is necessary because it validates the length of your stay in Pakistan.
Previous Schengen visas
Moreover, if you have been to any other Schengen country in the past, ensure to submit your previous Schengen visa with the rest of the documents.
Airline reservation
Furthermore, you are required to share your flight details with the appropriate authorities. For this purpose, you have to submit proof of flight reservation to show that you have an intention to fly to Bulgaria.
Besides, it is advisable to reserve a flight and not purchase actual tickets before your visa is approved. The document also shows the following essential information necessary for your visa application.
- Your name
- Flight number
- Travel dates and times
- 6 digit PNR
- IATA codes
Proof of accommodation
Your trip to Bulgaria also requires you to demonstrate that you have a place to stay in the target country. This should be valid for the entire length of your trip in the Schengen country. Therefore, submit proof of accommodation including,
- A hotel booking
- An invitation letter from the host such as a family member or friend
- A rental contract for an apartment or house
Cover letter
Composing a cover letter for a visa allows you to disclose your flight and travel plans to the relevant authorities. Submitting this document increases the visa approval chances because of the information shared from the personal point of view of the traveler.
Therefore, you can include information such as the purpose of your trip, the intended set of activities, length of stay, any other destination country you want to visit, etc.
You can buy a well-crafted cover letter from travel experts at a minimal cost at coverletterforvisa.com.
Travel health insurance
Purchasing and submitting a travel health insurance policy document is necessary for a Schengen visa application. The policy will help you bear expenses related to travel and medical emergencies.
For instance, this includes surgery, accidents, luggage loss, passport loss, flight cancellation, etc. Besides, the policy must have a coverage amount of at least 30,000 to 45,000 euros.
Proof of sufficient funds
A Bulgaria visa from Pakistan also requires you to show that you can support yourself financially during the entire journey. This may include daily expenses related to food, accommodation, and transportation. Moreover, you must have at least 100 dollars per day to manage the costs.
For this purpose, you can submit documents such as a bank statement, salary slip, or an income tax return certificate.
Proof of civil status
Furthermore, a civil status document will help the embassy know whether you are married. So, submit a marriage certificate, your children’s birth certificate, or your spouse’s death certificate.
Police clearance certificate
Pakistani nationals must submit a police clearance certificate issued from the local police station in their home country. This document will validate that you are not involved in any criminal activity.
Papers required as per your employment status
Lastly, considering the status of your employment, submit the following supporting documents to the embassy.
- If you are employed, an employment contract and a salary slip.
- Moreover, a business license/registration certificate if you are self-employed.
- Retired personnel need to submit their pension slips.
Embassy of Bulgaria in Pakistan
Pakistanis cannot get a visa on arrival in Bulgaria nor can they apply for an e-visa. So, the only method available to apply for a Bulgaria visa from Pakistan is the paper or embassy method.
For this purpose, follow the guide given below and complete your visa process through the Embassy of Bulgaria in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Address: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna V, Plot 6/11; Islamabad, Pakistan
Telephone: 0092 51 2600846
Working hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:00
E-mail: Embassy.Islamabad@mfa.bg
Procedural Guide to Apply for a Bulgaria Visa from Pakistan
Follow the steps given below to start your Bulgaria visa application from Pakistan.
Step 1:
The first step of the process is to identify the visa type considering the purpose of your visit. For instance, it could be for tourism, study, or work purposes.
Step 2:
Secondly, collect all the required documents depending on the visa type you choose. Before submitting them to the authorities, make sure that they are legalized through an apostille stamp.
Step 3:
After that, download the visa application form and complete it by providing the requested information.
Step 4:
Once done, book an appointment with the nearest Embassy of Bulgaria in Pakistan. You will receive a confirmation email having your reference number.
Step 5:
On the day of the appointment, submit all the documents and the application form. Moreover, the embassy officer may ask you for a short and quick visa interview that you must attend.
Is It Necessary to Attend a Bulgaria Visa Interview?
It depends on the Bulgarian embassy through which you are applying for a visa.
An application submitted for a long-term stay in Bulgaria would be incomplete without a visa interview. On the other hand, the necessity for an interview for a Type C visa depends on the choice of the relevant embassy.
Step 6:
On the appointment day, you need to deposit the visa fee. It depends on the visa type, your nationality, and the duration of your stay in the target country. Make sure to pay the fee either in cash, debit, or credit card, etc.
See the table below for a standard Bulgaria Schengen visa fee structure.
| Visa type | Fee in Euros | Fee in Pakistani Rupees |
| Type A (transit visa) | 90 € | 26,778 PKR |
| Type C (short-term visa) | 90 € for adults over 12 years | 26,778 PKR |
| 45 € for children between the ages of 6 and 12 | 13,389 PKR | |
| Minors below six are free to travel | FREE | |
| Type D (long-stay visa) | 120 € | 35,705 PKR |
Step 7:
After paying the fee, wait for the visa processing time. In the meantime, you can also track the status of your application by contacting the embassy directly.
What is the Processing Time for a Bulgaria Visa?
Usually, the processing time for a Bulgarian visa is two weeks (15 working days). However, in case of excess applications and complexity, the period gets extended for up to one month. Avoid making other non-essential travel plans until you receive a notification.
When should I apply for a Bulgaria visa?
It is advisable to apply for a Bulgaria visa at least six months before your intended departure date. This will help you avoid any potential problems/delays during the visa process.
Step 8:
Lastly, once your visa is approved, you can collect your passport on the given date and time as specified by the embassy.
What Can I Do If My Bulgaria Visa Is Refused?
After the processing time, you may get any of the following answers. Either your visa is approved or rejected.
So, if your Bulgaria visa is rejected due to reasons such as an incomplete application, missing documents, poor travel history, or criminal record, you have the following options.
- You can appeal the decision to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria within fifteen days of the visa rejection.
- On the other hand, you can start a new application by correcting all the previous mistakes that led to the visa denial.
Final Thoughts
Fulfilling the requirements will increase the chances of your visa approval. However, note that submitting all the documents does not confirm that you will get your visa on time. Besides, this article will surely be of great help to you in avoiding common reasons that lead to visa rejection.
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