Bulgaria Visit Visa for Pakistani Travelers – A Complete Guide

If you plan a trip to Bulgaria from Pakistan, you must apply for a visa. You can also call it a Schengen or a short-stay visa. Traveling to the target country for visit purposes requires you to apply for a visit visa.

Therefore, the following article will guide you about the legal requirements of the Bulgaria visit visa from Pakistan. In addition, you can also learn the complete steps to apply for the process for a visit visa to Bulgaria from Pakistan.

Furthermore, the following guide will highlight the visa processing fee and how long it will take to get your desired visa from Pakistan. But for this purpose, you must read the article till the end.

About Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a Southeastern European country, famous for its mountains, the Black Sea coastline, and rivers including the Danube. Moreover, as a Balkan nation, the state is strongly influenced by the Slavic, Ottoman, Greek, and Persian cultures.

Furthermore, music, dance, crafts, and costumes represent the rich heritage of Bulgaria. Its metropolitan city is Sofia, which has been situated on the Vitosha mountain since the fifth century B.C.

General Information about Bulgaria

Moreover, consider analyzing some of the following interesting information about Bulgaria.

• Bulgaria has a rich and appealing history. Besides, it is one of the oldest nations in Europe. It has been a nation-state for more than 1,300 years.
• After Greece and Italy, Bulgaria has the third-highest percentage of important archaeological sites in Europe.
• The Bulgarian army has never lost a single flag during combat. The dedication of the Bulgarian soldiers to protecting their flags has withstood numerous conflicts. 
• Furthermore, the Bulgarian Rayna Kasabova was the first woman to take part in a military flight.
• Musala Peak is the highest point on the Balkan Peninsula. It is situated in Bulgaria’s Rila Mountain, rising 2925 meters above sea level.

When did Bulgaria become part of the Schengen region?

Bulgaria became an official member of the Schengen Zone on March 31, 2024, after lifting the air and sea border controls. However, please note that this made it a partial member of the Schengen Area.

Later on January 1, 2025, Bulgaria became a full member of the Schengen Region once the internal land border checks were lifted. This simply means that no other internal border checks exist between the two regions, and people can travel between Bulgaria and the Schengen countries without any passport checks.

The same is the case with Romania, which joins the Schengen Area with Bulgaria on the same day after lifting air, sea, and land border control checks. 

Comparison of Bulgaria and Pakistan

Pakistan has an area of approximately 297,638 sq mi (770,880 km2). On the other hand, Bulgaria occupies 108,560 km2 (41,915 sq mi) of land. Therefore, Pakistan is 7.10 times larger than Bulgaria.

Furthermore, almost 6.7 million people live in Bulgaria as of April 2024. So, Bulgaria has 231,820,956 fewer people living there than Pakistan.

In addition, there were 140.0 labor-related deaths per 100,000 births in Pakistan. As of 2017, 10.0 women in Bulgaria died.

Percentage of Pakistani Travelers Visiting Bulgaria: Statistical Chart

You can analyze the statistical chart as the number of visitors from Pakistan to Bulgaria between 2008 and 2018 is depicted below.

Years	Numbers of Pakistani visitors	Change in percentage
2008	4,046	N/A
2009	2,017	-0.72%
2010	4,233	5.38%
2011	4,430	4.65%
2012	4,579	3.36%
2013	4,829	5.46%
2014	5,118	5.98%
2015	4,969	-2.91%
2016	5,776	16.24%
2017	6,218	7.65%
2018	6,491	4.39%

References: World Bank, UNWTO.org, and other multiple sources.

What are the Other Bulgarian Visa Types for Pakistani Citizens?

Typically, traveling to the Schengen Area requires you to choose a specific visa type. There are three broader categories of these visas, as discussed below.

Transit visa or Type A

This visa type allows you to stay in the transit area of the international airport of Bulgaria to catch your connecting flight when traveling to a non-Schengen country en route to Bulgaria. A transit visa is usually valid for 48 to 72 hours.

Schengen visa or Type C

Moreover, another term for this visa type is a short-stay visa that permits you to stay in the target country for three months or 90 days for purposes including tourism, business, medical treatment, etc. Please note that a Schengen visa is valid for up to 180 days. It is further subdivided into the following categories.

Tourist visa, Business visa, Visitor visa, Medical treatment visa, Seamen visa.

National visa or Type D

Contrary to the above, a long-term visa allows you to stay in Bulgaria for more than six months. Therefore, it stays valid for one year, or depending on the purpose of your visit. Also note that this visa type should be accompanied by a residence permit to show your eligibility to live in the destination country. It has the following subtypes.

Work visa, Family reunion visa, Student visa, Research visa, Investor visa.

Therefore, other than the visit visa, Pakistani nationals can also apply for any of these visa categories.

Essential Requirements for a Bulgaria Visit Visa from Pakistan

The Embassy of Bulgaria requests that you submit a set of documents when you apply for a Schengen visa. This is an important part of the visa application process.

Therefore, make sure that you have the following checklist of visa documents for a Bulgaria visit visa from Pakistan.

Visa application form

This is one of the most important visa requirements. You can download a visa application form from the official website of the Embassy of Bulgaria in Pakistan. After that, make sure to fill it out by completing the required information.

Furthermore, the form may ask you a couple of questions, such as your details, your destination country, where you will stay during your trip, etc.

Passport

Other than that, you may also be requested to submit a diplomatic passport. For this purpose, make sure you follow the guidelines of the embassy through which you are applying.

For example,

• Your passport must have a validity of at least three months after you leave the destination country.
• It should have two to three blank pages to affix the visa.
• In case of wear or tear, make sure to apply for a renewal before you start the visa process.

Pictures

Having two to three passport-size photographs is an essential requirement for a Bulgaria visit visa from Pakistan. Besides, your pictures must follow the Schengen photo requirements and guidelines.

This may include having a light color background, such as white or grey. Moreover, they must have a dimension of 35*40mm. Lastly, the photographs should not be older than the last six months.

ID card

To be acknowledged, the embassy may also require you to show your Pakistani identity card (CNIC), which you can obtain from the office of NADRA.

Family registration certificate

NADRA may also give you a family registration certificate. Before submitting it to the embassy, please ensure that this document is in English.

Furthermore, confirm that you have read Bulgaria’s requirements to submit this document in the proper format.

Residence permit

You will need to provide extra supporting documents, such as a residence permit or utility bills, if you are a foreign national residing in Pakistan.

Moreover, these records should also confirm the length and validity of your residency permit.

Previous Schengen visas

If you have traveled to any Schengen country in the past, a copy of your previous visas must be included with your application. Thus, this will help the officer with your visa application by assessing your travel history.

Travel and medical insurance

You cannot travel to Bulgaria without having travel health insurance for Schengen visa. This is necessary to ensure your health and trip with the help of a trusted service provider. 

Besides, this is important because travel insurance will help you bear the expenses in case you lose your luggage or passport, or your flight gets canceled.

On the other hand, medical insurance must have a coverage amount of 30,000 euros to cope with unexpected medical expenses. For instance, this may include surgery, illness, or even death.

Proof of accommodation

You must have a place to reside in Bulgaria during your trip to the Schengen Area. For this purpose, the embassy wants you to show proof of accommodation. Therefore, you can submit a rental contract for an apartment or a dummy hotel booking for Schengen visa in this regard.

Moreover, in case a Bulgarian host invites you, you must submit an invitation letter from a friend or a family member.

Proof of flight reservation

Furthermore, you can show that you intend to fly out of your home country. Besides, you are allowed to share your flight details with the appropriate authorities. For this purpose, you can reserve a seat on a flight. This document is needed to ensure the authorities that you will not overstay and will return to your country before your visa expires.

In addition, submitting proof of flight reservation shows that you are eligible for the visa application process. Moreover, with this document, you can share information such as,

• Your flight and seat number
• Airline company name
• Travel dates and times
• IATA codes
• Passenger Name Record (6-digit PNR)

You can get these documents from a trusted service provider such as SFRV Travels. We deal in providing verified and advanced visa and flight services to our customers all over the world.

Financial documents

Besides the documents listed above, you can give the embassy your salary slip or bank statement from the past six months. This will help them in determining whether you have the financial means to sustain your stay in the country of destination.

Additionally, you have the option to give the immigration officer a letter of sponsorship. This is necessary if your Bulgarian host is paying for your stay.

Employment documents

Depending on your job status, you also need to submit the following documents in addition to the bank statement:

If employed:

• Contract of employment
• Pay slip
• A letter of authorization to take time off

If you work for yourself:

• Certificate of business registration
• Income tax statements

If you are a student:

• A letter of authorization for a school vacation

If you are retired:

• Certificate of Retirement
• Pension statements for the previous six months

Cover letter

By composing a cover letter, you can outline the activities you have scheduled for your trip to Bulgaria. You can also include information about,

• How long do you plan to stay
• When you leave the target country
• Any explanations as to why you might not have been able to submit a specific document

Proof of civil status

Moreover, you might need to provide proof of your civil status, depending on the embassy and your circumstances. As a result, you must provide a marriage certificate, a birth certificate of your child, or adoption papers.

Additional requirements for a minor

Last but not least, if a minor is traveling with you, you might need to provide some additional documentation. Make sure you include certain documents, like:

• a birth certificate
• a consent letter from the parents
• court orders

How to Apply for a Bulgaria Visit Visa from Pakistan?

The official website of the Embassy of Bulgaria in Pakistan deals with the visa application process. It is situated in Islamabad, the metropolitan city of Pakistan.

Moreover, it processes and approves your Bulgaria visit visa application. Make sure to visit the embassy in person to know the requirements of the visa process.

However, follow the steps mentioned below to start your visa application process.

Step 1: Search the website of the embassy

The first step is to search the website of the embassy online. For this purpose, type ‘Bulgaria Embassy in Pakistan’ in the search bar of Google. Among several results, choose the first one. It will lead you to a new page.

You can read the visa requirements or contact the embassy officials directly to know about the details.

However, it is advisable to apply for a visit visa process in person by visiting the embassy.

Step 2: Collect the required documents

This is essential to gather all the supporting documents. Moreover, make sure that you have compiled them in the right order. Check for additional requirements if you are applying for a special type of visa.

Step 3: Fill out the visa application form

Furthermore, this process requires you to fill out a visa application form. You can do this in person. Besides, you can also get help from the representatives at the embassy if you are unclear about any questions on the form.

Make sure to complete the form by filling out the information required. Do not leave any blank unfilled.

Step 4: Arrange an appointment

To provide biometric data and attend the interview, you must schedule an appointment with the embassy by calling or visiting it. On the other hand, you can also book your appointment through the website of VFS Global, which is a third-party center, outsourced by the Bulgarian Embassy for visa applications. After completing this step, you will receive an affirmation email.

Step 5: Visit the center

On the day of the appointment, visit the same visa application center or the embassy to submit your fingerprints and photos. Moreover, you can also deposit your visa fee on the same day. Moreover, you may also need to attend the visa interview to provide in-depth details of your trip to Bulgaria.

Step 6: Track your application

The confirmation email you get will have your reference number or tracking code. Through these items, you can track your application. Other than that, you can also visit the embassy to check your application status.

Step 7: Collect your visa

Once they give you a date in person or by email, you can collect your visa. Moreover, you can get help from a courier service to pick up your passport.

However, you must give a small additional fee in this regard. Lastly, make sure to check the validity of the new visa.

Is It Necessary to Attend the Visa Interview?

Generally, it depends on the embassy or consulate of Bulgaria through which you apply for the visa. Therefore, they may ask you to attend a visa interview. You must check the embassy’s requirements, especially if you are applying for a short-stay visa.

However, in the case of a long-stay visa, it is important to appear for the Bulgarian visa interview.

In addition, please note that the Embassy of Bulgaria accepts and processes the applications submitted through a reputable travel or visa application agency. So, make sure to find one in your home country.

Visa Processing Fee

The embassy of Bulgaria may request you to deposit a visa fee when you apply for a visit visa to Bulgaria from Pakistan.

On the other hand, if you are applying through a visa application center or a travel agency, the expenses will be quite high. This is because of the service charges other than the visa fee.

Besides, the standard visa processing fee to visit Bulgaria from Pakistan is 90 euros if you are an adult. This is equivalent to 29258.81 PKR. Moreover, children between the ages of six to twelve may cost you 45 euros (14629.41 PKR). Lastly, minors under six are free to travel to Bulgaria from Pakistan.

How Long Does it Take to Get Your Bulgarian Visit Visa from Pakistan?

Usually, the visa processing time for Bulgaria depends on the visa type you are applying for. Therefore, in case you are visiting Bulgaria for a short period, such as for up to three months, it may take the embassy at least 15-30 days to process your visa. Contrary to it, a long-stay visa may take around three to four months to process, so plan your trip accordingly.

However, the processing period can vary depending on the following circumstances:

• The number of applications received
• Your nationality
• The complexity of the application process

FAQs- Bulgaria Visit Visa from Pakistan

The following questions related to the Bulgaria visit visa from Pakistan will make the application process easier for you.

1. How can I apply for a Bulgaria visit visa from Pakistan?

If you want to apply for a Bulgaria visit visa from Pakistan, make sure that you submit your application to the visa application center of VFS Global located near the area of your residence. Other than that, you can also visit the Embassy of Bulgaria in Islamabad in person to start the application process.

2. What is the processing time for a visit visa for Bulgaria from Pakistan?

Ideally, since a visit visa is a short-stay visa, this means that it will take around 15-20 days to process. However, the period can get extended because of the application volume, the season of application, the visa type, etc.

3. Can I travel to other Schengen countries with a valid Bulgarian visit visa from Pakistan?

Yes, a valid Bulgarian visit visa allows you to travel to the rest of the Schengen countries. Just make sure that you return to your country of origin before your visa expires. This will help you avoid any legal consequences.

Conclusion

To sum up, it is important to fulfill the Schengen visa requirements to travel to Bulgaria from Pakistan. Moreover, make sure that you submit the documents in the correct order to save time and ace your application process.

For this purpose, you can either go through this guide or the instructions given by the embassy. Furthermore, ensure that you choose a reliable service provider, such as Schengen Flight Reservation for Visa, to get your travel documents and sufficient travel insurance for your trip to the Schengen Area.

Bon Voyage!

Read also:

Croatia Visit Visa from Pakistan → Discover how to apply for a Croatia visit visa from Pakistan, including required documents, fees, and processing time.

Luxembourg Visit Visa from Pakistan → Learn the complete process for obtaining a Luxembourg visit visa from Pakistan, covering eligibility, documents, and embassy procedures.

Romania Visit Visa from Pakistan → Get detailed guidance on applying for a Romania visit visa from Pakistan, including visa types, requirements, and application steps.

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