Employed workers

A single/work permit; a type D visa and a residence permit (not applicable in the case of a single permit);

Prior to the worker’s arrival, the employer must apply to get approval for issuance of a single permit by the Employment Agency;

Once the single permit is approved, the worker must apply for a type D visa at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in the respective country;

• An expiry term of up to one year and a right to stay up to 360 days;
• An application for a long-stay visa is submitted only at the diplomatic and consular missions at the permanent place of residence of the applicant;
• Visa application form;
• A valid foreign travel document;
• Recent passport-size color photo;
• Original documents and two copies thereof supporting the application for a long-stay visa under the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act and the Regulation on its implementation, as well as proof of available financial means to cover the cost of living and accommodation;

Upon arrival to Bulgaria with a valid visa, it is necessary to obtain the actual SINGLE PERMIT from the Migration Directorate at the Regional Directorates of the Ministry of Interior; it grants the right to reside and the opportunity to work in Bulgaria for a period of up to one year, and may be renewed for a period of up to three years;

• A copy of a national identity document or a valid passport;
• An extract from the judicial record – a certificate of no previous convictions, issued by the country of habitual residence;
• Proof of secured cost of living, which must NOT be lower than the minimum wage;
• Proof of secured housing – a rental contract certified by a notary public;
• Proof of available health insurance;
• Secondary vocational (or higher) education or specific professional qualifications and experience.

To renew the permit, an application must be submitted to the Migration Directorate not later than 14 days prior to its expiry at the Regional Directorates of the Ministry of Interior;

Upon arrival to Bulgaria, the address of residence must be reported to the Migration Directorate within 5 days;

Prior to the worker’s arrival in Bulgaria, the employer must submit an application for a work permit at the respective local Labour Office Directorate of the Employment Agency where he is established;

If the employer is replaced, a new Single Residence Permit should be applied for;

Long-term residence status is acquired after a 5-year period of legal residence. During this period, the worker shall NOT leave Bulgaria for more than six consecutive months or a total of 10 months within the 5-year period;

The duration of the long-term residence status depends on the validity of the national passport that the worker used to enter Bulgaria.