Entering Bulgaria on an invitation

What types of invitations are there?

Invitation declarations (покана декларация) are issued by migration service offices and come in four types:

• From a private individual — for a private visit;
• From a natural or legal person carrying out activity under the Commerce Act — for business trips;
• From a non-profit legal entity — for business trips;
• From a representative office of a foreign legal entity — for business trips.

All types of invitations must be certified by the migration service; certification takes 7 days. Invitations (2 notarised copies) are submitted to the migration service in person by the inviting party (an authorised representative of the legal entity). Certification at the Ministry of the Interior costs 10 – 20 leva depending on the type of invitation.

The invited person must submit the invitation to the consulate in order to obtain a visa.

Invitation for a private visit

Such an invitation can be issued by any private individual — both a Bulgarian citizen and a foreigner legally residing in the country. The invitation is certified by a notary and by the migration service. When filing it with the migration service, the following documents must be attached:

• a declaration of the inviting party’s property;
• a certificate from the inviting party’s place of work (for the last 12 months) or a copy of their tax return for the previous year. The tax return must bear the incoming number of the National Revenue Agency (NAP).

Invitation from a natural or legal person carrying out commercial activity

Such an invitation gives the right to obtain a business visa. The invitation, bearing the inviting party’s signature and seal, must be certified by a notary and by the migration service. When filing it with the migration office, the following documents are attached to the invitation declaration form:

• a certificate of current status issued by the Registry Agency (the certificate is valid for 3 months);
• a copy of the inviting party’s tax return for the previous year.

Invitation from a non-profit legal entity

In this case too the invitation must bear the inviting party’s signature and seal, and certification by a notary and by the migration service is required. When filing it with the migration service, the following must be attached to the invitation form:

• a certificate of current status issued by the Commercial Register;
• a copy of the certificate of registration with the tax service.

Invitation from a trade representative office

An invitation can also be issued on behalf of a trade representative office in Bulgaria, and a business visa will be issued on its basis. In this case the invitation must bear a signature and seal and be certified by the migration service and by a notary. For certification at the migration service, the following must be attached to the invitation:

• a certificate of the representative office’s current status issued by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTPP) (valid for 3 months);
• a copy of the certificate of registration with the tax office.

Thus, obtaining an invitation declaration for Bulgaria is comparatively straightforward. If you do run into difficulties with the paperwork, the staff of Bulgarian Expert will be able to help you with it.