Family reunification visa for Bulgaria

The sponsor must be a third-country national whose residence in Bulgaria has been authorised for at least one year, or a beneficiary of asylum or international protection. Eligible family members are the spouse and the minor children of the sponsor and of the spouse, including adopted children. Documents proving family ties and maintenance obligations that come from abroad must be recognised or admitted for execution under Bulgarian law.

Under Article 33f the sponsor files a form with the Migration Directorate or the migration unit of the regional Ministry of Interior directorate, attaching a copy of the family member’s passport valid for at least six more months, proof of housing, proof of stable, regular and sufficient means of at least the minimum monthly wage or minimum pension for the stay, the family member’s criminal record certificate, the marriage or birth certificate and, where relevant, documents on dependency or care needs for health reasons. The EU Immigration Portal adds medical insurance for the stay and the Tariff 4 state fee.

The application is decided within one month after consultation with the State Agency for National Security, which gives its opinion within 15 days, and the sponsor is notified in writing. A positive decision allows the family member to obtain a D visa under a facilitated procedure: the visa application must be lodged within six months of the notice at the Bulgarian mission in the country of permanent residence or the mission accredited for it.

After arrival the family member registers the address within five days and applies for a long-stay residence permit. Family members of a long-term resident receive one-year permits, renewable but not beyond the sponsor’s permitted stay.

Family members of foreigners with long-term or permanent residence, of protection holders and of Bulgarian citizens do not need a permit to access the labour market. Family members of other long-stay residents can obtain access through the Employment Agency, which issues a work permit for a specific job within 30 days for a fee of BGN 400 (EUR 204.52). Family members of Blue Card holders and of ICT permit holders have their own rules.

After five years of residence, spouses and adult children who did not receive residence on other grounds can obtain independent long-term residence. If the marriage ends by divorce or death after at least two years of continuous legal residence of the family in Bulgaria, a one-off independent permit can be issued.

Decisions on family reunification are notified under the Administrative Procedure Code and can be challenged before the administrative court.