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The golden dome of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia — visa for Bulgaria

Visa information

Bulgaria Visa

Schengen visa: up to 90 days in any 180.

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Viza.az service fee
95 AZN
Visa centre fee
21 €
Consular fee
35 €

Visa types for Bulgaria

Tourist visa

For short breaks, sightseeing and personal visits to Bulgaria. This is the most commonly requested category.

Apply with this visa

Business visa

For meetings, negotiations, trade fairs and conferences held in Bulgaria. A formal invitation from the host is required.

Apply with this visa

Student visa

For university study, language courses and exchange programmes in Bulgaria. An offer letter and funds covering the period of study are required.

Apply with this visa

Family reunion visa

A long-stay type D visa to join a spouse or close relative living in Bulgaria. The document file is considerably larger than for a Schengen C visa.

Apply with this visa

Since 1 January 2025 Bulgaria has been a full member of the Schengen area and issues Schengen visas. Applications are accepted through the VFS Global visa centre in Baku.

The consular fee is 35 euros and the visa centre’s service charge is separate. Schengen membership is recent, so older sources may still describe national visa rules; check the current requirements before applying.

Sofia, Plovdiv, Bansko and the Black Sea coast are the main destinations. Winter resorts and summer beaches call for different document files depending on the season. Viza.az helps put the documents together.

Visa to Bulgaria: prices and processing times

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Service Processing time Price
Viza.az service fee 3-5 working days 95 AZN
Visa centre cost — 21 €
Consular fee — 35 €
Visa decision 10-15 working days —

Visa prices for every country

Documents required for a visa to Bulgaria

  • Ordinary passport Valid for at least three months after the trip, issued within the last ten years, with at least two blank pages.
  • Copy of your ID card Required alongside the passport.
  • Completed Schengen application form A single form for all member states; it must be signed and dated.
  • Two biometric photographs 35×45 mm, light background, taken within the last six months.
  • Medical insurance Article 15 of the Visa Code requires cover of at least 30,000 euros. It must be valid across all member states and for every day of the stay, and cover emergency care, hospital treatment, medical repatriation and death.
  • Return ticket reservation Showing the dates of entry and exit and the airports. We advise against buying the ticket before the visa is granted.
  • Proof of accommodation A hotel booking or a formal invitation from your host, covering every night of the trip.
  • Bank statement A stamped statement covering the last three to six months. For a week-long trip we suggest a balance of roughly 2,500-3,000 AZN.
  • Letter from your employer It must state the organisation's name, tax number and contact details, along with your position, salary and length of service, and carry a stamp and signature. Business owners submit a copy of the tax registration, a turnover certificate from the tax office and a register extract instead; students submit a letter from their institution.
  • Proof of marital status Marriage certificate, and birth certificates for children under 18. If a child travels with one parent, the other's notarised consent is required.
  • Previous passports and visas Schengen, UK, US and Canadian visas issued in recent years count as a good travel history. It is not on the official list, but consulates ask for it regularly.
  • Sponsor's documents If someone else is funding the trip: the sponsor's letter, proof of income and evidence of the relationship. Required only in that case.
  • Applying in person at the visa centre Fingerprints and documents are submitted at the visa centre in Baku; the centre's fee (21 EUR) is paid on top of the consular fee.
  • Translation of documents Documents in Azerbaijani are translated into English; several consulates also ask for notary certification.

Visa to Bulgaria: frequently asked questions

Yes. Since 1 January 2025 the country has been a full member of the Schengen area and issues Schengen C visas. The national visa rules that applied before are no longer in force — older sources still carry the outdated information.

In Baku, Bulgarian applications are accepted by the VFS Global visa centre. The documents are handed in there and the biometrics are taken.

The consular fee is 35 euros and the VFS Global service charge is 21 euros. The Viza.az service fee is 95 AZN.

National visas issued before Schengen membership may remain valid on their own terms, but new applications now follow the Schengen rules. Check the type and validity of your visa before you travel.

The standard tourist file: hotel booking, return tickets, insurance and financial documents. In the summer months demand for Burgas and Varna is high, so plan the appointment early.

The visa category is the same; only the content of the documents changes: a resort booking and insurance covering winter sports. Standard insurance may not cover skiing injuries.

Yes, both countries are now in the Schengen zone and a single visa allows you to cross. The main destination rule applies here too: apply to the country where you will spend the most time.

We prepare the documents, plan the VFS Global appointment and fill in the form. As Schengen membership is recent, we re-check the current requirements before every application.