If your type D visa has expired and you still could not travel to Bulgaria, do not worry! Once the restrictions are lifted, you will be able to obtain new visas.
The type D visa required to move to Bulgaria is valid for 180 days – within this period you need to arrive in Bulgaria and submit the documents for a long-term residence permit. However, in 2020, because of the declared pandemic, not everyone managed to use their visas and reach Bulgarian territory before the borders closed. As a result, many people found that the validity of the type D visa issued to them was coming to an end, while there was still no way to travel to Bulgaria. Almost all flights have been cancelled, and border officers currently allow into the country only holders of a Bulgarian long-term residence permit, permanent residence permit or EU long-term resident status.
Does this mean the visa will have to be applied for again, with all the necessary papers collected anew? Fortunately, no. Those who have overstayed the validity of their type D visa because of the pandemic need not worry: according to a statement by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, once the restrictions are lifted, expired type D visas will be reissued free of charge.
The only thing required for reissuance is valid medical insurance. The policy will have to be taken out again, but no other additional expenses are expected.
The “D” visa is a long-stay visa.
How to extend a long-term residence permit under a state of emergency?
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