Bulgaria Short-Stay (Type C) Verified 2026-04-29Bulgaria Tourist Visa (Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Bulgaria Tourist Visa from India — Short-Stay (Type C). ₹9,900 visa fee + ₹2,530 VFS service. 15 calendar days processing. Complete document checklist + photo spec.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the Bulgaria visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
Processing
Up to 15 calendar days from when the Embassy receives your complete application
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Starting Fee
₹9,900
Apply At
10 VFS centres
Where do you stand?
Tell us your situation
Pick what fits — no long forms, just a quick WhatsApp or a call.
Why files get refused
Most Bulgaria visitor visa refusals come down to a few fixable things
Refusals are common now, and the government fee is non-refundable. The good news: almost every reason below is something we can strengthen before you submit.
Travel medical insurance below €30,000 minimum or not from an EU-approved insurer
Bank statements not covering full 3 months or insufficient subsistence funds
Application form not signed in BOTH places (field 37 + last field)
Photo not ICAO-compliant (wrong size, dark glasses, hat, cut-out)
Application lodged less than 15 days before departure or more than 3 months ahead
Hidden previous Schengen / UK / US refusal — embassies share data
What we actually do
We build a stronger file — you don't guess
Check your profile before filing
We tell you honestly if the case is ready — before you spend the government fee.
Review funds & ITR alignment
Bank statement, income and tax records presented the way officers expect.
Structure purpose & cover letter
A clear travel story that answers the officer's real questions.
Show strong ties to India
Job, business, property and family framed as genuine reasons to return.
Sponsor & invitation papers
If family is inviting you, we line their documents up with your profile — a common silent refusal trigger.
Guide the full submission
Online portal or VFS appointment, biometrics and passport steps — supported until the decision.
Refused before?
We rebuild refused Bulgaria cases the right way.
Reapplying with the same file usually earns the same answer. We find the real reason first, then rebuild — no guarantees, just a properly prepared reapplication.
Before you reapply, we check:
- What your refusal letter actually says — and what it doesn't.
- Whether the officer's GCMS notes are worth pulling for the real reason.
- Which documents were weak: funds, employment, purpose, or ties.
- Whether reapplying now — or strengthening first — is the smarter move.
Same flat fee whether it's your first application or a reapplication. Read the refusal guide
Your whole Bulgaria Tourist Visa,
handled for one honest price.
A strong Bulgaria file clearly explains your travel purpose, funds, and ties to India. We structure and submit everything properly — so your case is presented clearly and professionally.
All-in · 18% GST included · no hidden charges
File-ready in 3–5 working days after documents
4.9★ · 90+ reviews · reply in 5 min
Everything below — included, nothing extra
- Document checklist
- Application form guidance
- Document review
- Cover letter
- Purpose of travel structure
- Financial proof review
- Sponsor document guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Post-submission guidance
Not sure you qualify? Start with a refundable ₹499 possibility report — an honest Yes / Maybe / No, credited to this fee. Read the full guide
Price is for our consultancy service only and includes 18% GST. No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision rests with the visa authority.
Your fee, justified
₹12,999 fee — what exactly is included?
Our professional fee isn't just form-filling. It covers complete Bulgaria visitor visa preparation, document & refusal-risk review, financial-proof structuring, submission support and post-filing guidance. Tap any item to see what's inside.
Before we prepare your Bulgaria visitor visa file, we understand your complete profile — every applicant is different, so no two files are built the same way.
- Purpose of travel
- Employment or business background
- Monthly income & savings
- Funds available for the trip
- Family ties in India
- Property / assets, if any
- Previous travel history
- Relatives, friends or a sponsor in Bulgaria, if any
- Previous visa refusals, if any
- Planned trip duration
- Who is paying for the trip
- Whether the trip is realistic for your profile
A visitor visa isn't approved just because documents are attached — the purpose, funds, travel plan and return ties all have to support each other.
We don't hand everyone the same checklist. After understanding your profile, we build one for your exact case type:
- Salaried
- Business owner
- Self-employed
- Farmer / agriculture income
- Student or minor
- Retired parent
- Housewife / dependent
- Family visit
- Tourist visit
- Business visitor
- Previous refusal
- Sponsor-supported
- First-time traveller
This avoids missing key documents — and avoids piling on documents that aren't explained properly.
We review your documents before preparing and submitting, checking they're complete, readable, consistent and well-arranged:
- Passport & photographs
- Bank statements
- Salary slips
- ITR / Form 16
- Employment & leave-approval letters
- Business / GST / registration proof
- Income proof
- Property documents, if any
- Family & marriage documents, if applicable
- Invitation & sponsor documents, if applicable
- Previous refusal letter, if any
- Travel history, itinerary & stay proof
Funds are one of the most common refusal triggers. A high balance alone isn't enough if the money doesn't look genuine, stable, and tied to your income. We check:
- Whether the balance is reasonable for the trip
- Average balance vs trip cost
- Sudden large deposits that need explaining
- Salary / business income vs bank statement
- ITR vs income profile
- Whether you can afford the trip without leaning entirely on a sponsor
- Whether sponsor support is properly explained
- Whether funds look genuine and traceable
We help structure the financial side professionally so it reads as genuine, not borrowed for the application.
We help present a clear, realistic purpose — tourism, a holiday, a family/relative visit, an event, a business meeting, or parents visiting children — and make sure it lines up with your dates, funds, itinerary and documents.
A weak or vague purpose makes a file look doubtful. We keep it clear, simple and professional.
We prepare or structure the main explanation letter — a professional summary that makes your case easy for the officer to understand. It covers:
- Who you are and why you want to visit
- How long you'll stay and where
- Who is paying for the trip
- What you do in India
- Which financial documents are attached
- Your family ties in India
- Why you'll return after the visit
- If previously refused — what has changed since
This is not a guarantee letter — it's a clear, professional explanation of your case.
The officer must be satisfied you'll leave Bulgaria after your authorized stay. We identify and present your reasons to return:
- Job continuity or business ownership
- Regular income source
- Spouse / children / parents in India
- Dependents and family responsibilities
- Property or assets in India
- Education or business commitments
- Previous travel compliance, if any
If someone in Bulgaria is inviting you, we guide the sponsor-side documents:
- Invitation letter
- Sponsor status proof (passport / PR / citizenship)
- Sponsor employment & income proof
- Sponsor bank statement, if needed
- Relationship & communication proof
- Who bears expenses & stay arrangement
A sponsor supports the case but never guarantees approval — your own purpose, funds and ties must still be strong. We also flag if a file is leaning too heavily on the sponsor.
We guide or assist with the application form and details (online portal or the VFS/embassy form, depending on Bulgaria), and check consistency between the form and your documents:
- Personal, passport & travel-history details
- Employment & education history
- Family information
- Purpose of visit & funding details
- Sponsor information, if applicable
- Previous-refusal declarations
- Background questions
- Correct document categories
Wrong, incomplete or inconsistent information can hurt this application — and future ones too.
How a file is lodged depends on the country — some are fully online, while others (most Schengen states) need you to complete the form first, then book a VFS appointment and submit a physical file in person. We guide the exact Bulgaria process:
- Completing the application form first, where required, to unlock the appointment
- Booking the VFS / embassy appointment
- Arranging documents in the right order — for upload or the VFS counter
- Guiding the visa-fee payment
- Final review before submission or your VFS visit
- What to carry to the appointment (originals, photos, forms)
- Submitting / lodging and saving the confirmation
- What happens after submission
After submission, if biometrics are required, we guide you through:
- Biometrics Instruction Letter
- VFS appointment booking
- Documents to carry
- What to expect at the VFS centre
- How biometrics update in your application
- What to do once biometrics are done
Biometrics fee is separate, paid to the authority / VFS as applicable.
Our support doesn't stop at submission. We stay connected and guide you on:
- How to check application updates
- What official messages mean
- What to do if more documents are requested
- What to do after a Passport Request
- VFS passport submission & courier return
- Decision-update explanation
- Next steps after approval
- Basic guidance if refused
What's not included (paid direct, at actual cost)
- Government / embassy visa fee
- Biometrics fee
- VFS service charges
- VFS courier & SMS charges
- VFS premium-lounge charges
- Travel insurance
- Flight tickets
- Hotel bookings
- Translation charges
- Notary / attestation
- Medical exam, if ever required
- Any other third-party charges
No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision is always the visa officer's. Our role is to prepare, review, structure and present your file professionally from the documents and profile you provide.
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every Bulgaria visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 1Indian-resident applicants apply via VFS Global India. Direct Embassy submission only by prior appointment for special EU-family or compassionate cases.
- 2Status queries and missing-document submissions go to bgconsuldelhi@yahoo.com — emails to other Embassy addresses are disregarded.
- 3Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025. Holders of Schengen Type C (two/multiple entry), Type D (long-stay), or Schengen-state residence permits can enter Bulgaria WITHOUT a separate Bulgarian visa for stays up to 90 days in 6 months.
- 4Diplomatic and Official Indian Passport holders can transit / enter Bulgaria visa-free for short-term visits up to 90 days in 6 months (since 02 July 2009).
- 5The applicant bears responsibility for ALL content of the application — an authorised representative cannot accept liability.
- 6The Embassy can request additional documents at any time during examination and may call applicants for an interview.
- 7Possessing a valid Bulgaria / Schengen visa does NOT guarantee entry — final entry decision rests with the border immigration officer.
Who Can Apply
- Tourism, leisure, sightseeing, holiday travel to Bulgaria
- Self-planned independent travel with confirmed flights + hotel reservations
- Booked organised tours via a registered travel agency
- Multi-stop Schengen itineraries with Bulgaria as the main destination
Not eligible under this visa:
- Stays longer than 90 days — apply for Long-Term D instead
- Paid or unpaid work — a foreigner cannot work in Bulgaria on a short-term visa
- Studying for more than 90 days — apply for Long-Term D
- Medical treatment — apply under Medical Treatment Visit category
Previously refused?
Same feeWe rebuild refused Bulgaria cases the right way.
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to Bulgaria / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult visa (Short-Stay, Type C) | ₹9,900 |
| Children 6–12 years | FREE |
| Members of Bulgarian / EU citizens' families | FREE |
| VFS Logistics service charge | ₹2,530 |
| Optional Courier | ₹735 |
| Optional Courier with assurance | ₹1,260 |
| Optional SMS service | ₹420 |
| Optional Premium Lounge | ₹3,360 |
| Optional Photograph at VFS | ₹315 |
| Optional Prime Time Submission | ₹2,100 |
Visa fees and VFS service charges are non-refundable, regardless of visa outcome. From 12 August 2024, applicants can pay visa fees and VFS logistics via Card / Cash / UPI. Approximate total for an adult short-stay visa: ₹12,430 (₹9,900 + ₹2,530). Long-Term D total: ₹14,080. Diplomatic and Official Indian Passport holders can transit / visit Bulgaria visa-free for up to 90 days within 6 months.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Mandatory — every applicant must provide
9 items- Bulgaria Visa Application FormRequired
Fully completed in English or Bulgarian, signed in two places (field 37 + last field). For minors under 18 — signed by parent/guardian.
- Valid passportRequired
Valid 3+ months beyond intended return; minimum 2 empty pages back-to-back; issued within the previous 10 years; NO alterations or handwritten amendments on the data page
- Copy of current passportRequired
Data pages, plus pages with evidence of previous valid + expired visas / travel
- Original of previous passports (or proof of loss)
If applicable — to demonstrate travel history
- One recent passport-size photograph (3.5 × 4.5 cm)Required
Light background; face covers 70-80%; ICAO-compliant; see Photo Specifications section below. NOT older than 6 months.
- Cover letterRequired
Explaining the purpose of the trip and duration of stay
- Proof of residence
If applicable — applicants temporarily residing in another state should submit a photocopy of the stay permit (e.g. valid Indian Residency Permit or return visa to India)
- Travel medical insurance — minimum €30,000 coverRequired
Valid for Bulgaria for the entire period of intended stay; covers repatriation for medical reasons + emergency medical care + hospital treatment in case of emergency or death. Must be issued by an EU/VFS-approved insurance company. For multiple entries, additional declaration form required.
- Means of transportationRequired
Return travel ticket OR confirmed booking (for air / surface / sea transport)
Proof of financial means — every applicant
3 items- Three months bank statement (saving + current a/c)Required
Most recent 3 months — both savings and current accounts where applicable
- Three years Income Tax Returns (ITR / ITR-V)Required
Personal AND company (if applicable) — last 3 assessment years
- Subsistence funds proofRequired
Either: minimum €50 per day of stay (or equivalent in another convertible currency, but at least €500 total); OR a letter from the inviting organisation/institution covering all expenses of the applicant's stay in Bulgaria
Proof of social and professional status (one applicable)
3 items- If EMPLOYED — Service letter from employerRequired
On company's official letterhead — establishing position, years in service, grant of leave, salary certificate of last 3 months
- If SELF-EMPLOYED / BUSINESS OWNER — Visa request letterRequired
On official letterhead with company registration / ownership papers
- If STUDENT — Letter from school / universityRequired
Confirming enrolment, grant of leave, plus copy of valid student ID
If the applicant is a MINOR (under 18)
4 items- Birth certificate (if parents are legal guardians)Required
- Decision of competent authority appointing legal guardian
If applicable
- Notarised consent — if minor travels with ONE parent onlyRequired
Original notarised consent from the OTHER parent / legal guardian, including: their personal info, the purpose, period and length of stay in Bulgaria, the period for which consent is issued, plus their signature and copy of passport / ID
- Notarised consent from BOTH parents — if minor travels aloneRequired
Original notarised consent from BOTH parents / legal guardians (same content as above)
Tourism-specific (additional)
4 items- Detailed cover letter with itineraryRequired
Explaining the purpose of the trip with itinerary and detailed location(s) per duration of stay in Bulgaria
- Proof of accommodationRequired
Hotel booking, private or other accommodation (guaranteed and confirmed in applicant's name); real estate title deed or lease; proof of ownership / lease of a boat, etc.
- Confirmed return / onward travel ticketRequired
Air, surface or sea transport — print of confirmed e-ticket or booking
- Proof of subsistence fundsRequired
OR a document of prepaid tourist services
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
8 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Plan your trip 30+ days before travel
Tourist applications cannot be lodged less than 15 calendar days before departure or more than 3 months ahead. Aim for 30+ days for safety.
- 02
Download the Bulgaria Visa Application Form
From VFS Global Bulgaria. Complete in English or Bulgarian, in BLOCK letters. Sign in TWO places (field 37 + last field).
- 03
Gather all mandatory documents
Use the checklist above. 3 months bank statements, 3 years ITR, travel insurance €30,000 minimum from EU-approved insurer.
- 04
Get ICAO-compliant photographs
3.5 × 4.5 cm, light background, face 70-80% of frame, taken within last 6 months. See Photo Specifications below.
- 05
Book a VFS appointment online
Visit visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/bgr. Pay ₹2,530 service charge to confirm.
- 06
Submit documents in person on appointment day
First trip MUST be in person. Carry originals + photocopies. Pay ₹9,900 visa fee. Photographs taken on-site if needed (₹315).
- 07
Track via VFS or SMS
Up to 15 calendar days. Status queries: bgconsuldelhi@yahoo.com.
- 08
Collect passport via courier or in-person
Choose courier (₹735) or in-person pickup. Visa is a sticker affixed to your passport.
What works
19 levers that flip a borderline case.
- Travel medical insurance must be issued by an APPROVED EU / VFS-listed insurer with minimum €30,000 cover. Without it your application will be rejected outright.
- Bank statements must show last 3 months of activity — both saving + current accounts where applicable.
- Three years of ITR / ITR-V are mandatory — personal AND company (if you are self-employed).
- Application form MUST be signed in TWO places: field 37 + the last field. A common mistake.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Travel medical insurance below €30,000 minimum or not from an EU-approved insurer
- 2Bank statements not covering full 3 months or insufficient subsistence funds
- 3Application form not signed in BOTH places (field 37 + last field)
Download official forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens the official VFS Global page for Bulgaria
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
VFS application centres
Schengen Tourist Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 quick questions to see your likelihood of approval. This is not a guarantee — final decision is always with the Embassy — but it flags common weak spots so you can address them before applying.
What's the primary purpose of your trip?
How long do you plan to stay?
Have you previously visited any Schengen country?
Have you ever been refused a Schengen (or any country's) visa?
Past refusals must be disclosed — they show up in VIS database across Schengen countries.
Do you have confirmed travel bookings?
Reservations are enough — don't buy tickets until visa approval.
What's your current employment status?
What's your typical 3-month bank balance?
Schengen needs ~₹700/day covered. For a 10-day trip, minimum ₹70,000 stable balance.
How many years of Income Tax Returns (ITR) can you show?
What are your strongest ties to India (return-intent)?
Embassies want evidence you'll come back — not overstay.
Who are you travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
Frequently asked
Questions, answered straight
Up to 15 calendar days from when the Embassy receives your file. May extend to 30-60 days if further scrutiny is needed. Apply 30+ days before travel to be safe.
Approximately ₹12,430 for an adult — ₹9,900 visa fee + ₹2,530 VFS service charge. Optional courier ₹735, SMS ₹420. Children 12 and below pay no visa fee. Excludes travel insurance (~₹1,500-3,000).
Bulgaria joined full Schengen on 1 January 2025. If you already hold a valid Schengen Type C (two/multiple entry), Type D long-stay visa, or a Schengen-state residence permit, you can enter Bulgaria without a separate Bulgarian visa — for up to 90 days in 6 months. If you don't have any Schengen document, you apply for a Bulgaria-specific Type C through VFS.
Yes — MANDATORY. Minimum €30,000 cover from an EU / VFS-approved insurer. Must cover the entire trip including arrival + departure days, plus repatriation, emergency medical care, and hospital treatment.
Maximum 3 months before intended departure, minimum 15 calendar days before. Outside this window the Embassy cannot process the file.
Yes — since 12 August 2024, Card / Cash / UPI are all accepted at VFS centres for both visa fees and VFS logistics.
No — Indian-resident applicants must apply via VFS Global India. Direct Embassy submission is by prior appointment only for special EU-family or compassionate cases.
Send missing documents within 3 working days to bgconsuldelhi@yahoo.com (the only Embassy email that's monitored for this). Submission of incomplete documentation can lead to rejection.
Yes. We are a Government-of-Punjab licensed firm (License No. 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024) and prepare the complete file end-to-end — cover letter, document review, A4 bank statements, ITR coordination, photo verification, VFS appointment booking. First consultation is free at our Patiala office.
Still have a question about your case? Ask us directly — we usually reply in 5 minutes.
Before you apply
Two ways to file your Bulgaria visa.
One quietly burns your fee, your trip and your record. The other gets it right the first time.
Do it yourself
The risky route
- You guess which papers Bulgaria actually wants — one missing or wrongly-framed document triggers a refusal.
- You copy a cover letter off YouTube or Google — often the exact template embassies already flag as weak.
- You apply during a known peak-rejection window without realising it.
- Embassy & VFS fees are non-refundable — refused means your money, flights and leave are gone.
- One refusal stamp follows you for life — every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Typical result
~1 in 2 visitor files refused
With SureshotVisa
Professionally guided
- A licensed consultant checks your case honestly before you spend a rupee on embassy fees.
- We build your Bulgaria file the way the embassy approves — documents, cover letter, financials.
- We catch the weak-ties, funding and intent issues behind 70% of Indian refusals — and fix them first.
- We've rescued hundreds of files that were already refused once and got them approved.
- Govt of Punjab licensed (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024) · 1200+ approvals.
Typical result
1200+ approvals · refused files rescued
Why DIY goes wrong
How a self-filed application turns into a refusal.
- 1
You feel ready
A few YouTube videos make the process look simple.
- 2
You file it yourself
You submit a sensitive Bulgaria visa file on your own.
- 3
One detail misreads
A small framing slip looks like weak ties or unclear intent.
- 4
Refusal
Now every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Once you've been refused, you learn the hard way how much the small details mattered. We'd rather you never collect that first stamp.
Trusted by travellers & families
We've helped many travellers & families get their Bulgaria visa — the easy way.
From first-time Bulgaria visa applicants to cases that were refused elsewhere, our licensed team has guided travellers & families through Bulgaria's exact requirements — so the file is approved the first time, without the stress, guesswork or risk of a refusal.
Other Bulgaria Visa Types
Bulgaria Business Visa (Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Bulgaria Business Visit Visa from India — Short-Stay (Type C). For meetings, conferences, trade shows. ₹9,900 + ₹2,530 VFS. 15 calendar days. Requires Invitation-Declaration from Bulgarian host.
View guideBulgaria Family / Friend Visit Visa — Private Visit (Short-Stay, Type C)
Bulgaria Private Visit Visa for visiting family or friends in Bulgaria. Short-Stay (Type C). Requires Invitation-Declaration from the Bulgarian host. ₹9,900 + ₹2,530 VFS.
View guideBulgaria Sports / Cultural / Artistic / Scientific Visa (Short-Stay, Type C)
Bulgaria visa for cultural events, sports competitions, artistic performances, scientific exchange. Short-Stay (Type C). ₹9,900 + ₹2,530 VFS. Requires invitation from the Bulgarian organising body.
View guideBulgaria Medical Treatment Visa (Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Bulgaria Medical Treatment Visa from India — Short-Stay (Type C). Requires Bulgarian medical facility certificate + treatment plan. ₹9,900 + ₹2,530 VFS.
View guideBulgaria Transit Visa (Short-Stay)
Bulgaria Transit Visa for travellers passing through Bulgaria en route to a third country. ₹9,900 + ₹2,530 VFS. Up to 3 transit passages × 2 days each.
View guideBulgaria Airport Transit Visa (Short-Stay)
Bulgaria Airport Transit Visa for travellers staying in the international transit zone at a Bulgarian airport en route to a third country. ₹9,900 + ₹2,530 VFS.
View guideBulgaria Long-Term Visa (Type D, >90 days)
Apply for a Bulgaria Long-Term Visa (Type D) from India — for stays >90 days for work, family reunification, study, or other long-stay purposes. ₹11,000 visa fee + ₹3,080 VFS.
View guideSource & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Bulgaria website and Embassy of Bulgaria. Last verified 2026-04-29. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.
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Share your travel purpose, employment/business profile, funds, and any previous refusal letter. We'll tell you honestly where your file stands.