Bulgaria Visa Mistakes Indians Make (and How to Avoid Them)

VFS Global handles Bulgaria's short-term (C) visas in India and, since 1 November 2025, long-term (D) visas too; the Embassy of Bulgaria in New Delhi decides the applications. Fees and processing times below are as published on the official sources, checked on 10 October 2026. For visa types and the full checklist, see our Bulgaria visa guide for Indians. Below are the points to check, grouped by stage.

1. Slips on the application form and passport

• Only one signature. The form must be signed in two places, field 37 and the last field, by you or, for a minor, by a parent or guardian.
• The wrong language. Fill it in English or Bulgarian.
• A passport that fails one of four tests. It must be issued within the previous 10 years, stay valid at least three months after you leave Bulgaria, have at least two empty pages back to back, and have no alteration to the data page.
• Leaving old passports at home. Bulgaria asks for the originals of previous passports, or proof of loss, along with copies of your current passport's data pages, previous visas and travel stamps.

2. A photo that misses Bulgaria's specification

Bulgaria wants one recent colour photo of 3.5 x 4.5 cm, with the face measuring 30-36 mm from chin to hair and taking up 70-80% of the frame, on a light background. It should preferably be no more than 6 months old and printed on normal photographic paper. Cut-out amateur or non-professional photos are not eligible, and tinted lenses, frames over the eyes and head coverings (except for religious reasons) are ruled out. If you are unsure, VFS takes photos at the centre for INR 315.

3. Funds and income proof that fall short

The funds rule has two parts, and both apply: at least EUR 50 for every day of your stay, and never less than EUR 500 overall. For a short trip, the EUR 500 floor decides the amount, since 10 days at EUR 50 a day only reaches it. For longer stays, the daily rate takes over. Tourists may show prepaid tourist services instead, and an inviting organisation can cover expenses by letter.

Alongside the money itself, Bulgaria asks for:

• Bank statements for the last three months.
• Income Tax Acknowledgement or ITR-V for the last three years. Two years is not enough.
• Employees: an employer letter showing position, years of service and leave, plus a salary certificate for the last three months.
• Business owners and self-employed: a visa request letter on company letterhead with company registration papers.
• Students: a leave letter from the school or university and a copy of your ID.

4. Insurance that does not meet the rule

The policy must cover the entire planned stay with at least EUR 30,000, including repatriation for medical reasons, emergency medical care and emergency hospital treatment, or death in Bulgaria. Watch for two gaps: a policy that ends before your return flight and, for multiple-entry applicants, a missing signed statement on the prescribed form covering later trips; for those visas you prove insurance for the first visit only. Family members of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are exempt.

5. Invitations that are not certified

A private-visit invitation is not a simple letter. It must be the Invitation-Declaration for a private stay (Enclosure No 3), signed by the person inviting you and certified both by a Notary Public and by the Migration Directorate of Bulgaria's Ministry of Interior, following the VFS format. Business invitations use Enclosure No 4 or No 6, signed and stamped by the inviting company and certified in the same two places. Spouses and children travelling with a private visitor follow the tourist procedure. Tourists, on the other hand, need a cover letter with an itinerary and the locations for each part of the stay; our travel itinerary service prepares these to match your bookings.

6. Budgeting only for the visa fee

The visa fee is only part of the cost. VFS adds its own charges, all including GST:

Visa fees are not refundable and can be paid by card, cash or UPI. The fee note lists no visa fee for applicants aged 12 and below, or for family members of Bulgarian and EU citizens, but the VFS charges still need checking for your case.

7. Process and timing mistakes

• Sending someone else the first time. First-time applicants to Bulgaria or Schengen must apply in person. A representative with your authorisation letter can submit later applications.
• Going to the wrong city. VFS named New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai for long-term (D) visas, while Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry lists visa application centres in 15 Indian cities. Check the VFS Bulgaria site for the centre that takes your visa type before you book.
• Leaving too little time. VFS quotes around 15 working days for C visas; Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says a decision is taken within 15 calendar days of an admissible application, extendable to up to 45 calendar days in individual cases. D visas take around 15 working days, excluding the day you submit.
• Booking a non-refundable ticket first. The checklist accepts a return ticket or a confirmed booking, so you do not need to buy a ticket before the decision.
• Assuming you need a separate visa for each country. Since 31 March 2024 Bulgaria issues uniform Schengen visas valid throughout the Schengen area, within the limit of 90 days in any 180-day period.
• Missing consent papers for minors. Bring the birth certificate and the original notarised consent of the parent who is not travelling, or of both parents if the child travels alone, with copies of their passports or IDs.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for a reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or send us a message.

Frequently asked questions

Can a travel agent submit my Bulgaria visa application?

Not the first time. First-time applicants to Bulgaria or Schengen must apply in person. For later trips, a representative can submit the application with an authorisation letter from you.

Do children pay the Bulgaria visa fee?

The fee note lists no visa fee for applicants aged 12 and below. The adult short-term fee is INR 9900, which is not refundable.

Does VFS handle Bulgaria long-term visas as well?

Yes. From 1 November 2025, VFS Global also takes long-term (D) visa applications in India. The D visa fee is INR 11000, with a VFS logistics fee of INR 3080 and a VC interview charge of INR 1650.

What does the cover letter for a Bulgaria tourist visa need to say?

It should explain the purpose and duration of your stay. For tourist visits, the checklist asks for a cover letter with an itinerary and the detailed locations for the whole stay.