Bulgarian Schengen Visa

A cluster of 26 European nations, the Schengen region has some of the world’s most attractive tourist spots as well as an engaging work culture. These aspects (and many more) make the region one of the most travelled areas in Europe. However, to enjoy a secured trip in the region, it is crucial to obtain a Schengen visa as it enables the visa holder to enter and travel the region freely till the time the visa is valid. 

The requirement for the visa may vary based on your citizenship, residency, and the intent of travelling to the Schengen area.

The following sections will provide information about whether Bulgarian citizens need a Schengen visa, how to apply for a Schengen visa, travel insurance for a Bulgaria Schengen visa, and more. 

Starting with the primary question –

Do Bulgarian Residents Need Schengen Visa?

Bulgarian passport holders don’t need a Schengen visa to enter the region if they plan to stay there for 90 days or less as such individuals are exempted from obtaining a short-stay visa to visit any Schengen nation. They would, however, need to obtain a long-stay visa if the duration of their trip to the Schengen region is for more than 90 days. 

Long-stay Schengen visa application can be secured for any purpose including studies, work, research, temporary residence, and so forth. This visa type can be further categorised into single, double, and multiple-entry Schengen visas. 

It must be noted that if any Bulgarian citizen has been denied entry without a Schengen visa in the region earlier, they would need to apply for the same. 

Requirements to Apply for Schengen Visa for Bulgarian Citizens

Here is the list of documents required to apply for a Schengen visa –

• Completed, printed, and signed Schengen visa application form
• 2 recent passport-sized photographs –should be at maximum 6 months old, coloured, and against a bright-coloured backdrop. The photo size should be 35x45mm and display 70-80% of your face with you looking straight into the camera. 
• A valid passport that must have at least two blank pages to attach your Schengen visa sticker. It should not be older than 10 years and should be valid for at least 3 months after you exit the Schengen area.
• Copy of your previous visas
• Cover letter stating the purpose of your visit – it should clearly state the duration of your stay, the place of your stay, and other trip-related details
• Flight itinerary – must contain the flight number and dates of your entry and exit from the Schengen area 
• Travel insurance documents – you would need to provide a certificate or a related document verifying that you have purchased travel insurance that offers coverage of at least EUR 30,000 and covers medical emergencies and travel inconveniences
• Document indicating accommodation arrangement – it could be a hotel reservation, rental agreement, or an invitation letter from the host
• Proof that you have sufficient funds for the trip – you can show your 3 months’ bank statements or sponsorship letter. In case you provide the latter, keep in mind that the letter should be affixed with a copy of the sponsor’s 3-month bank statement. 

Schengen Visa Documents’ Requirement According to the Employment Status

For Salaried Individuals

• Employment contract
• Leave permit from the employer
• Bank statement for the last 6 months

For Self-Employed Individuals

• A copy of trade licence
• Company’s bank statement for last 6 months

For Students

• Proof of enrolment (a course, competition, and more.)
• NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the university or school
• Advertisement

For Retired Individuals

• Pension statement of last 6 months

Documents Required for Minors

• Birth certificate
• Schengen application form signed by the parents
• Order from the family court (applicable if a single parent has complete custody of the child)
• Valid ID proofs of the parents
• A note authorised by the parent to allow the child to visit the Schengen region

Based on the Purpose of Entry

For Business

• Invitation from a company based in Schengen area
• A certificate from the employer stating you are on leave throughout the period
• Bank statement of last 6 months
• Memorandum and Article of Association
• Trade licence (first issued and the recently renewed one)
• Proof that the employer or the partner company will handle your expenses on the trip

For Medical Treatment

• A medical report from a Bulgarian doctor, hospital, or clinic mentioning that you would need treatment at a hospital in the Schengen region
• A medical document attested by a doctor of a hospital in the Schengen area that verifies the appointment date and your medical condition
• Medical fees’ payment receipt
• Proof of sufficient funds to afford the treatment 

For Sports, Cultural, Religious, or Film-Related Events

• Information related to the event like –
  • Invitation from an authorised body that contains information about the event and activities
  • Entry tickets
  • Itinerary of the event
  • Documents like personal details of the applicant
• Proof that you have performed before at other festivals and ceremonies 

How to Apply for Schengen Visa?

Mentioned below is the process to apply for a Bulgaria Schengen visa –

• Be aware of the type of Schengen visa that you would require as per your profile and requirements. It could be a transit visa, business visa, student visa, tourist visa, or visa for medical treatment. 
• Find out the designated organisation where you need to apply for the Schengen visa. This could include –
  • The embassy of the Schengen nation you plan to visit
  • One of the consulates of your destination Schengen country
  • Visa centre to whom the embassy has outsourced the visa application process
  • The embassy or consulate of another Schengen state to which the country you are travelling to has outsourced visa application submission
• Collect and organise the required documents in the given format 
• Schedule an appointment for a visa interview and carry all the documents necessary at the time of the interview
• Once through with interview, await the reply – visa processing usually takes 15 days 

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa?

Bulgarian citizens are required to secure a travel insurance plan to get long-stay Schengen visa approval. Moreover, as a Bulgarian citizen, your travel insurance for a Bulgaria Schengen visa must offer at least EUR 30,000 coverage and must be applicable across all the Schengen region. 

Advantages of Schengen Travel Insurance

Discussed below are the key benefits and advantages of Schengen travel insurance – 

• Meets the Visa Application Criteria – As mentioned earlier, a travel insurance plan providing a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 is necessary to complete the Schengen visa application process. With such an insurance plan in your itinerary, you can proceed towards other application processes easily. 
• Baggage Cover – A travel insurance plan provides baggage cover that compensates you in case there is a delay in receiving the luggage due to connecting flights or theft or loss of belongings.  This cover can also help you obtain the essential items in case there is a further delay in the arrival of luggage.
• Emergency Medical Expense Cover – If a medical emergency arises during your stay in the Schengen region, you can get medical treatment in the network hospitals stated in the travel insurance plan. With proper Schengen travel insurance, you would be financially covered for hospitalisation, treatment, availing of ambulance service, emergency medical evacuation, and more.
• Personal Liability Cover – In case you face any legal issues during your trip to the Schengen country due to third-party injuries, damages, and other liabilities, your travel insurance plan can cover the associated costs. This includes cover for court proceedings, legal fees, and more. 
• Flight Associated Benefits –Travel insurance can cover you in case your flight is delayed or cancelled, or if you end up losing your luggage during transit. 
• COVID-19 Cover – In light of the ongoing pandemic, travel insurance plans for Bulgaria Schengen visa now cover all the costs of COVID-19. With a travel insurance plan, an individual can receive financial cover right from the RT-PCR tests in case of symptoms to quarantine and medical treatment in case one is diagnosed with COVID-19.

Types of Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa

Travel insurance can be classified into three categories as per the frequency of travel, type of travellers, and the intent of travel as elaborated below – 

Based on the Frequency of Travelling to the Schengen Region

• Single-Trip Travel Insurance – This type of travel insurance is suitable for individuals who travel once a year to the Schengen region. Compulsory when applying for a short-stay or Type C Schengen visa, this kind of Schengen travel insurance can be availed of by individuals, groups, and senior citizens.
• Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance – This travel insurance is appropriate for people who travel frequently to the Schengen region. The purpose of their trip could be business, studies, travel, and more. 

Based on the Types of Travellers

• Individual Travel Insurance – As the most basic type of travel insurance to insure a person while traveling, this plan offers complete financial protection against a variety of risks that could occur while in a Schengen nation. Travel accidents and hassles coverage, which includes medical expenses and personal responsibility coverage, is provided to policyholders with these plans.
• Family Travel Insurance – This is a plan to cover your entire family under one roof while travelling. From newborns to 65-year-olds, each member of your family is welcome to join the ambit of coverage provided with this insurance type for their family trip. The plan offers coverage to each family member similar to that offered by personal travel insurance.
• Senior Citizen Travel Insurance – These travel insurance plans are specifically created for Bulgarians over 65 years of age who are visiting Schengen countries, as regular travel insurance only covers adults up to the age of 65. 

Based on the Purpose of Visit

• Business Travel Insurance – Business travellers and individuals who travel for work purposes are the target recipients of business travel insurance. Businesses and organizations purchase this type of travel insurance to cover their personnel who frequently travel for work. These programs might be compared to individual travel insurance along with added features like electronic device coverage, corporate liability coverage, and more.
• Student Travel Insurance – Student travel insurance plans are available to students between the ages of 16 and 35 who are graduating from any university in the Schengen region. The student travel insurance includes sponsor and study disruption coverage in addition to the standard coverages for travel hassles and accidents.

Processing Time for the Schengen Visa

The processing period for a Schengen visa could typically extend up to 15 days. However, this time frame occasionally can be extended as per the following scenarios –

• Depending on the number of applications a Schengen nation's embassy receives or the significance of your situation, it can take up to 30 days for the processing
• In rare circumstances, the period can go up to 60 days if the embassy of one country is required to communicate with the embassies of other Schengen nations

As we saw, the processing of your Schengen visa application can extend beyond the usual period of 15 days in several cases. For this reason, it is advisable to apply for a short-stay visa for the Schengen region as early as you can (but not later than three months before your anticipated trip).

When Should Bulgarian Citizens Apply for Schengen Visa?

As soon as you have confirmed travel arrangements, it is advised that you apply for your Bulgaria Schengen visa. While obtaining a Schengen visa can take some time, you can also run into various obstacles along the road – this can include mistakes on your visa application, the requirement of another crucial document, and more. Due to this, it’s always a good idea to plan ahead and give some room for mistakes so that everything is handled at a relaxed pace.

Schengen Visa Fees

The following is the Bulgaria Schengen visa fee structure –

How Long is Schengen Visa Valid?

The validity of a Schengen visa generally depends on the type of visa you select, i.e., Type C visa or Type D visa –

1.) Types C Visa

A Type C Schengen visa, also called the short-stay visa, has a 90-day validity period. Single entrance, double entry, and multiple entry Type C Schengen visas are the three possible categories here. 

The following is the validity of different types of Type C Schengen visas –

• The validity of a single entry Schengen visa can go up to 90 days. This type of visa is valid only for a single entry into the Schengen area.
• A multiple or double-entry Schengen visa allows users to have a trip of 90 days in a 180-day tenure. The former can be valid for up to 5 years, although your stays will have to be under 90 days in each 180-day segment

2.) Type D Visa

This is a long-stay visa issued for travellers who need to stay in the Schengen region for more than 180 days. The validity of this type of visa can go up to a year and depends on the purpose of visit and the duration of the stay. This type of visa is suitable for research work, higher education, work, and other such purposes. 

3.) Visa Extension

To extend your stay in the Schengen region, you can extend your Schengen visa at the local police station or any other authorised place. However, the extension is possible only in special cases where certain reasons to stay in the country arise once you are there in the Schengen region. It is essential to note that your Bulgaria Schengen visa can be revoked if you fail to meet the conditions for the issuance of the visa. 

Key Takeaways

Being a part of the European Union, Bulgarian nationals and citizens don’t need a Schengen visa to enter the area unless they have previously been turned away for admission without one. However, they would be required to apply for a Belgium Schengen visa if their stay would exceed 90 days. Bulgarian residents who possess passports from nations not covered by the Schengen visa waiver programme must also obtain a Bulgaria Schengen visa in order to enter the Schengen region.

When requesting a Schengen visa, specific documents must be submitted. This consists of the applicant’s current passport, a filled-out and signed copy of the Schengen visa application form, a travel insurance policy, proof of lodging, a flight schedule, and copies of previous visas.

To find the best Schengen travel insurance, visit policybazaar.ae and head to our ‘travel insurance’ section to find the best plans for your journey at the most affordable rates.

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