Although Bulgaria is not part of the Schengen countries, it is possible to enter Bulgaria with a valid Schengen visa OR a valid visa for Croatia, Cyprus, or Romania. If you are only going to Bulgaria, you will need a Bulgarian Short Stay Visa (Visa C). This is issued for tourism, business, and personal visits for stays of up to 90 days within a 6-month period.
Documents required:
Visa Application form (this must be filled in online, printed and signed). The original application form must be taken with to the Embassy for your appointment.
A valid South African passport. This must be valid for at least 3 months after the day that you leave Bulgaria and must have at least 2 blank pages where the visa will be affixed.
A clear copy of your passport. This must include the biographical data page, as well as all used pages, including previous Schengen and non-Schengen visas, as well as all the pages that have been stamped.
2 x recent colour passport photo. Please note that this cannot be older than 3 months and cannot have been previously used. Guidelines for the photo – size must be 35mm x 45mm, there should be no smiling, no teeth showing, and no obstructions to the face. Hair must be pushed back and there must be no shadows. The background must be white or very light.
Proof of visa fee payment.
Photocopies of other permissions to stay in a foreign country (visa, residence permit).
Flight Itinerary. This must include the traveller’s name and show dates and times of their respective flights. This must show proof of onward travel from Bulgaria.
Proof of travel/health insurance. This must cover at least €30 000 in both medial and repatriation expenses. This must be valid for the entire time you are in Bulgaria.
Proof of accommodation. This could be in the form of a hotel reservation/voucher or confirmation of booking from your place of accommodation. Each guest name must reflect clearly on these, and it must show proof of accommodation for every night, with majority of the stay, being in Bulgaria.
Proof of invitation by the friend/relative you are staying with (including their passport and residence permit in Bulgaria).
Proof of your relationship status. If you are married or divorced, you must provide the relevant certificates.
A Cover Letter. This would outline why you want to go to Bulgaria, what you will be doing whilst in Bulgaria, where you will be going in Bulgaria, and if you are visiting other Schengen countries, etc.
Proof of financial means. This would come in the form of your 3-month bank statements (the latest) which must have the original bank stamp on each page. You need to have enough available funds in your account to prove that you can support yourself whilst in Bulgaria. If someone else is funding your trip, you will need a letter from them confirming same, as well as a copy of their 3-month bank statement.
If you are employed, you will need to present the following:
Proof of employment. This could be in the form of your work contract, or, if you are self-employed, your business registration certification.
A signed letter on the company letterhead confirming the following: position, salary, exact dates of travel, and confirmation that the company is expecting you to return to work – also known as a “No Objection Letter”.
Bank statements from the past 6 months.
Income Tax Return.
For Students, a signed letter on the school letterhead confirming that the applicant is enrolled in a school, the school is aware of the exact travel dates and that the applicant will be returning to their school after their travel has been completed.
For Tertiary Education students, a signed official registration letter on the institution’s letterhead must be provided, confirming that they are aware of the exact travel dates and that the applicant will be returning after their travel has been completed.
If you are a retiree, you will need to provide your pension certificate, as well as your pensioner statement for the latest 6 months.
For children under the age of 18:
Unabridged birth certificate or official letter from Home Affairs confirming it has not been issued.
A certified copy of each parent’s passport or ID.
For children travelling with one or no parents, submit the parental consent form, signed by both parents and certified.
