Bulgaria Business Visa - Definitive Guide

There are certain formalities that are to be followed by a businessman whenever there is a need for them to travel to another country for business. A business visa to Bulgaria is one such formality that is to be carried out when you are attending to any kind of business errand like the business conferences, a business meeting for a branch of your own organization or a sister company, or attend client meetings, or others. The validity of the visa is about 6 months on which you are allowed to stay for 90 days on one visit.

The process to apply for the Bulgaria visa is mainly online. Before applying for the visa, you need to make sure what kind of visa you require. In order to apply for a visa online, you will have to visit the official embassy website. The step by step procedure of how to get Bulgaria business visa from India for the same is given as follows:

1. Apply online by filling out the Bulgarian business visa application form on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in.
2. Fill the details and attach a recent photograph. 
3. After the completion of the above process, print out the form and the payment receipt
4. You can then mail the application form along with the required documents to the embassy.

For the processing of the documents and the visa form, you need to mail the documents to the embassy of Bulgaria. After the submission, the embassy will process the documents and provide a stamp on the passport after you have attended and passed the interview. You can then collect the visa from the embassy of Bulgaria.

When you are submitting the documents, you need to make sure that you submit the genuine and original documents as the submission of the false documents could have consequences, you may have to go through visa refusal. The visa rejection will even affect your future visa applications, which of course does not mean that you will have t

At the time of applying for the business visa, you will have to make sure that you match the eligibility criteria. There are certain parameters that you need to mind before filling out the application form. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit
1. You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
2. If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.
• You must meet the health requirements
1. You must be healthy enough to travel to Bulgaria.
2. You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
3. You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.
• You must meet the character requirements
1. You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Bulgaria.
2. You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds
• 1. You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Bulgaria.
  2. Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

The list of documents required for the issuance of the business visa is specific the documents provided must match the specifications. The Bulgaria business visa requirements are as follows:

• Passport with a validity of at least six months
• Completely filled visa application form
• One/Two coloured photographs as per the specifications
• Covering letter specifying all the important details
• Confirmed return and onward flight tickets
• Proof of accommodation - hotel reservation
• Copy of Income Tax Returns
• Proof of financial support - Bank account statement for the past six months
• Proof of purpose of visit - Invitation letter, exhibition or conference pass (if applicable)
• Identification proof - copy of Adhaar card, PAN card, etc.
• Travel insurance
• Copy of leave sanctioned letter from the employer (from institute if a student)
• Other additional documents if requested by the consular.

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 35 mm x 45 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided
• The head must be about 30 mm in the photo frame. 
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

When the documents have been submitted, the embassy or the consulate takes time to process and verify the documents to provide a visa stamp on the passport. The time taken for the visa process is about 10 working days. This time span may vary depending on the verification time required for visa documents or if there are any complications in the process.

Normally, the fee for the visa is paid to the embassy in cash at the time when you are submitting the application form. There are service charges, biometric charges, processing fee and other aspects as well that affect the visa fee. The fee will vary if you have applied for the urgent requirement of the visa.

When the process of application is completed, the documents are then submitted to the embassy along with the completed application form. After submission -

• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the embassy/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.
• The visa fee is generally not refundable.

To check the status of your visa, you may visit the website of the visa agency through which you have applied or the visa application centre website. Alternatively, you can even do it offline by calling the embassy with the visa application number and enquire about the status.

When the visa application process is completed successfully and you have the stamp on your passport, there are certain measures that are to be taken, for instance -

• Before you travel
• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Bulgaria within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border
• Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Bulgaria
• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The business visa does not permit you to employ the residents or reside in the country.
• It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for the visa extension in time.