A Visa D is the long-stay visa that non-EU nationals need before applying for temporary or permanent residence in Bulgaria. Only a few groups, mainly people of Bulgarian origin, are exempt. You apply at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate general, not through VFS. The fee is €100 and the decision takes 40 working days. The visa is valid for 6 months, and you must apply for residence at least 2.5 months before it expires for permanent residence, or at least 2 weeks before for temporary residence.
Last Updated on October 17, 2026 by Immigration Team
At a glance
| What it is | A long-stay visa that allows you to enter Bulgaria and apply for temporary or permanent residence Law |
| Who needs it | Non-EU nationals who want to live in Bulgaria. Only a few groups are exempt, mainly people of Bulgarian origin Law |
| Where to apply | Only at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate general abroad. Not through VFS visa centres |
| Validity | 6 months Law |
| Fee | €100, paid when you submit the application |
| Processing time | 40 working days, roughly 2 months. 15 calendar days for some family and employment cases Practice |
| Next step | Apply for residence at the Migration Directorate in Bulgaria before your deadline: at least 2.5 months before the visa expires for permanent residence, at least 2 weeks before for temporary residence |
Your pathway
- Choose your Visa D categoryRequired · it depends on why you are moving
- Approval in Bulgaria firstOnly for family reunification, Single Permit and EU Blue Card · Migration Directorate and Employment Agency
- Prepare your documentsRequired · translated into Bulgarian and legalised where needed
- Visa D applicationRequired · Bulgarian embassy or consulate general · €100 · 40 working days
- Entry to BulgariaRequired · the visa is valid for 6 months
- Residence application deadlinePermanent residence: at least 2.5 months before the visa expires · temporary residence: at least 2 weeks before
- Residence permitRequired · temporary or permanent, depending on your category · family may follow
Required stageDeadlineOnly in some categories
Visa D or Visa C
Bulgaria issues two main types of visa. The Visa D is the only one that leads to residence.
| Visa D (long stay) | Visa C (short stay) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Moving to Bulgaria and applying for residence | Short visits, such as tourism or business trips |
| Where to apply | Only at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate general | Also through VFS visa centres |
| Leads to residence | Yes | No |
Visa D categories
Your category depends on the purpose of your stay, and it decides two things: which documents you need, and whether the visa leads to temporary or permanent residence. The most common categories are:
Only a few people can apply for residence without a Visa D. These are mainly people of Bulgarian origin. [list the exempt groups and the legal basis]
Faster processing for family and employment
In some categories the process starts in Bulgaria, before you apply at the embassy. These visas are then issued faster.
Family reunification. If you are joining a family member who holds temporary residence in Bulgaria, the process starts at the local Migration office. The office checks the family ties and the address in Bulgaria, and issues a certificate allowing family reunification. That certificate is the main document for the family member’s Visa D application, which is then decided within 15 calendar days.
Single Permit and EU Blue Card. The process starts in Bulgaria with the Migration Office and the Employment Agency. Once the permit is approved, the employee applies for the Visa D at the embassy.
Documents
The exact list depends on your category. The documents most applications need are:
- Visa application formCompleted and signed
- PassportValid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay
- Document for your categoryFor example the certificate allowing family reunification, the approved Single Permit, or the confirmation investment documents issued by Invest Bulgaria Agency
- Proof of financial meansFor example bank statements for the last 6 months
- Police clearance certificateIssued within the last 6 months and apostilled or legalised in the issuing country. The PCC can be issued from home country or country of residence
- Proof of accommodation in BulgariaFor example a rental agreement or a property deed
- Health insuranceCovering your stay
- PhotographOne passport-sized photo
- Visa fee€100, paid when you submit the application
Practical note
Documents that are not in Bulgarian need a certified translation. Documents issued abroad usually need an apostille or legalisation in the issuing country before translation. Please note that only certified copies are required and you can keep the originals.
Where to apply
You apply in person at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate general abroad in home country or country of residence. If there is none, you apply at the Bulgarian mission accredited for your country. Unlike short-stay Visa C applications, the Visa D cannot be submitted through VFS visa centres. Appointment systems differ between missions. We can help you prepare the file and book through the official channel.
Timeline and costs
| Stage | Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing documents | Depends on your D visa category | Translation and legalisation costs |
| Approval in Bulgaria (family reunification, Single Permit, EU Blue Card) | Depends on the procedure | Vary |
| Visa D decision | 40 working days, roughly 2 months. 15 calendar days after a family reunification certificate Practice | €100 |
| Residence application | At least 2.5 months (permanent) or 2 weeks (temporary) before the visa expires | Vary |
After you receive the visa
The Visa D is valid for 6 months. During that time you enter Bulgaria and apply in person at the Migration office. The residence permit, not the visa, is what allows you to stay long term. Your deadline depends on whether your category leads to permanent or temporary residence.
| Your visa leads to | Apply no later than | If you miss the deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence | 2.5 months before the visa expires | There is no late option with a fine. Apply for temporary residence instead, and change it to permanent residence later |
| Temporary residence | 2 weeks before the visa expires | You can still apply, but a fine is imposed |
Permanent residence: watch the 2.5-month deadline
If your category leads to permanent residence but less than 2.5 months of the visa remain, you can no longer apply for permanent residence on this visa. Apply for temporary residence instead. You can then change it to permanent residence without waiting for the temporary residence card to expire.
Common problems
- Applying at a VFS centre. The Visa D is accepted only by the embassy or consulate general.
- Missing the 2.5-month deadline for permanent residence. You then have to apply for temporary residence first.
- Applying for temporary residence in the last 2 weeks of the visa. The application is accepted, but with a fine.
- Passport expiring too soon. Renew it before applying if it is valid for less than 6 months beyond your planned stay.
- Documents too old, or without translation and legalisation.
- Applying in the wrong category. Each category has its own documents, and the residence permit must match the visa.
Questions
Is a Visa D the same as a residence permit?
No. The Visa D lets you enter Bulgaria and apply for residence. The residence permit is issued separately by the Migration Directorate.
Can I apply through VFS Global?
No. VFS centres accept short-stay Visa C applications. The Visa D is applied for only at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate general.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
The decision takes 40 working days, roughly 2 months. The fee is €100, paid when you submit the application. Visas based on a family reunification certificate are decided within 15 calendar days.
Can I apply for a Visa D in Bulgaria?
No. The Visa D is issued by Bulgarian embassies and consulates abroad. For family reunification, the Single Permit and the EU Blue Card, the first step takes place in Bulgaria, but the visa itself is still issued abroad.
I missed the deadline for permanent residence. What now?
Apply for temporary residence while your visa is still valid. You can then change it to permanent residence without waiting for the temporary residence card to expire.
Do EU citizens need a Visa D?
No. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a visa. They register their residence instead.
Not sure which category you need?
Your Visa D category decides your documents, your deadline and whether you can obtain permanent residence. Tell us why you are moving and we will tell you which category fits. Ask an advocate
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This page gives general information and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change and individual circumstances matter. Reading it does not create a lawyer–client relationship.