A long-term visa (type D) and an EU Blue Card are required;
Possession of the necessary qualifications for the employment:
- Higher education evidenced by a relevant document or a diploma;
- The duration of the study course should be at least three years at a higher education institution recognized as such;
Prior to the worker’s arrival in the country, the employer must submit an application for an EU Blue Card to the Employment Agency: proof is required that the gross salary in the employment contract is at least 1.5 times higher than the average salary in Bulgaria (based on data in the past 12 months prior to signing the contract);
Once the EU Blue Card is approved, a type D visa approval is required:
- 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 in Bulgaria, the EU Blue Card must be obtained from the Migration Directorate:
- Within 7 days;
- If the worker lived in Bulgaria for at least 18 months as an EU Blue Card holder, they may return to the country, but should reapply within one month of their arrival;
Changing employment is allowed only with the written permission of the Employment Agency;
Upon expiration of the EU Blue Card, and provided that the maximum period of 4 years is not exceeded:
- There is still an opportunity to take up new employment or use job placement services for a period of 3 months;
- This is only possible if an application for registration is submitted to the Employment Agency within 7 working days;
The EU Blue Card is not revoked during unemployment unless:
- The unemployment period exceeds 3 months;
- There are more than two periods of unemployment during the card’s validity;
Family reunification is allowed for Blue Card holders:
- Family members (spouse, unmarried children under 18, adopted children, and stepchildren of the spouse) may join the worker in Bulgaria at any time during the card’s validity;
- Children over 18 must be financially independent from the worker;
Changing status is only possible by obtaining long-term or permanent residence permits;
Long-term resident status can be obtained after 5 years of legal and continuous residence in the EU as a Blue Card holder:
- Periods of absence must not exceed 12 consecutive months;
Applications for long-term residence are submitted to the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior;
The duration of long-term residence depends on the validity of the worker’s national passport.