Key Highlights
Indian nationals who want a Bulgarian long-term visa have now been made to apply in India, and the change of country to apply for the visa begins on November 1, 2025. The old establishment is an outcome of the collaboration between the Embassy of Bulgaria in New Delhi and VFS Global. It is designed to make the process of application easier for Indians interested in spending over 90 days in Bulgaria, whether to work, study, or even to visit their relatives.
H.E. Dr Nikolay Yankov, the Ambassador of Bulgaria to India, and Ms Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer -South Asia at VFS Global, signed the official agreement on October 24, 2025. Ambassador Yankov said this is a significant move towards enhancing the relations between the two countries.
New Visa Application Centres: Locations and Start Dates
The service shall be implemented in stages in six big cities in India. The centre in New Delhi shall be the first one to be opened on November 1, 2025. Others will follow soon, and the process will be made more convenient to applicants in other parts of the country.
|
City |
Application Start Date |
Appointment Slots |
|
New Delhi |
Nov 1, 2025 |
Available from Nov 1, 2025 |
|
Ahmedabad |
Mid-November 2025 |
Opening mid-November |
|
Bengaluru |
Mid-November 2025 |
Opening mid-November |
|
Chennai |
Mid-November 2025 |
Opening mid-November |
|
Kolkata |
Mid-November 2025 |
Opening mid-November |
|
Mumbai |
Mid-November 2025 |
Opening mid-November |
Also Read: US Issues Over 1 Million Non-Immigrant Visas to Indians
What is the Bulgaria Long-Term (D) Visa?
The Bulgarian long-term visa, or the D visa, is a visa for persons who plan to spend over 90 days in Bulgaria. This is a visa required as an initial step to getting a Bulgarian residence permit. It is purpose-specific, such as:
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Work: To the individuals who have employment opportunities with a Bulgarian employer.
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Research: Among students studying at Bulgarian schools.
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Family Reunification: It is offered to persons who enter family members who are residents of Bulgaria.
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Business: Long-term business in the country.
Although Bulgaria currently participates in the Schengen Agreement as a partial member and is thus allowed to enter under a valid Schengen visa in the case of short stays, the Bulgarian long-term visa is a national visa, which is used in the case of long-term residence in Bulgaria.
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
VFS Global is the provider of application services to facilitate a cordial process.
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Find Your Visa Type: The second step is to identify your visa type for Bulgaria D. You need to define what your purpose of travel is (e.g., work, study).
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Prepare Documents: Prepare all the necessary documents. The normal list comprises a valid passport, application form, recent photos, proof of accommodation, and travel insurance.
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Book an Appointment: Book an appointment at your nearest VFS Global centre online.
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Apply: You are now required to come to the centre on the date of the appointment and hand in your documentation and present biometric data.
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Pay the Fees: Pay the visa application fee at the centre.
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Monitor Your Application: You can monitor your application process using the VFS Global portal.
Also Read: Immigration Groups Prepare for Potential Second Trump Administration
Visa Fees and Estimated Processing Time
The fee for the visa application may be different depending on the type of application. Although there are certain charges associated with a D visa when applying, other charges of short-stay visas provide a rough estimate. VFS Global charges will be charged as service fees.
|
Visa Type |
Fee (INR) |
Notes |
|
Tourist Visa |
8,550 |
No charge for children aged 6-12 |
|
Business Visa |
8,550 |
No charge for children aged 6-12 |
|
Transit Visa |
8,550 |
No charge for children aged 6-12 |
A Bulgarian long-term visa requires an average of 30 to 45 working days. This may vary according to the applications and the details of each case. Applications should be made early enough before your intended date of travel.
Impact on Indian Applicants
This new system has a number of major benefits to the Indian citizens who might consider relocating to Bulgaria. The process could be more complicated in the past, with some travelling or submissions outside of the country. The collaboration with VFS Global makes the whole procedure more home-based for thousands of prospective applicants.
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Accessibility: Applicants can save a lot of time and money on travelling, since the facility has six centres in the key metropolitan areas.
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Efficiency: VFS Global is meant to organise the administrative part of the application, and this results in a more systematic and possibly quicker process.
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Clarity: There is one distinct system that gives the applicants specific guidelines and one point of contact for submission and tracking.
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Enhanced Relationships: The authorities think that the step will attract more students and skilled workers in India to take Bulgaria into consideration, thus increasing economic and cultural interchange between the two countries.
Also Read: Trump's Re-election Signals Potential Overhaul of H-1B Visa Program
Conclusion
The introduction of the process of applying for a long-term visa in India in Bulgaria is a great advancement in terms of accessibility for Indian citizens. This new system is operated by VFS Global, and it is simpler in the circumstances in which students, professionals, and families aiming to relocate to Bulgaria are concerned. The process has become easier and more efficient as the centres are now located in six major cities, which has enhanced ties between India and Bulgaria. For the most up-to-date information and official forms, applicants should consult the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. To know more about the Bulgarian visa, visit TerraTern now!
