Who qualifies for this Visa?
A visa may be issued to foreigners wish to go on holiday (tourism), visit family and friends, attend business meetings/negotiations/workshops/seminars/conferences. A visa may also be issued to attend study courses or attend training for a period less than three months
What are the fees?
The prescribed fee is 84 lv. The fee is non-refundable irrespective of whether the application is approved, refused or withdrawn. The visa fee is subject to change in April every year.
What are the minimum requirements?
Passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of intended visit. The passport must have at least two blank visa pages (one to endorse the visa and one for entry stamps). The original passport must be submitted.
- 2 identity photographs.
- BI-84 form to be fully completed. (please, download it from here)
- A vaccination certificate, if required by the Act.
- Proof of financial means in the form of - bank statements • salary advices• undertaking(s) by the host's) in the Republic• bursaries• medical cover, or• cash available, including credit cards statements or travellers' cheques to cover envisaged living expenses during the sojourn in the Republic.
- Applicants travelling by air must be in possession of a provisional return or onward flight booking. No fixed travel arrangements must however be made prior to the issuing of the visa.
- A person who is unable to comply with above requirements, may be required to make a deposit: Provided that such deposit shall be refunded to the depositor after the final departure of the applicant or after a permit contemplated in section 25 of the Act has been issued to the applicant provided: further that the payment of the deposit may be effected by means of a bank guaranteed cheque or cash.
- If a minor child subject to guardianship or custody is accompanying the applicant or joining the applicant in South Africa, then proof of guardianship and custody is required.
- In the case of an unaccompanied minor, consent from the guardian(s) is required.
- Statement and/or documentation confirming purpose and duration of visit.
o For business visits (meetings, negotiations, workshops, seminars, conferences and training) letters from both Bulgaria and the South African host company/organisation should be submitted. The letters should confirm the nature and duration of the visit.
o For tourist visits, a provisional hotel booking or travel itinerary is acceptable.
o For family visits, an invitation letter from the South African host (with full contact details and South African ID number/residence number) is acceptable. The invitation must be in an affidavit form, duly authenticated by a commissioner of oaths at the local Police Station and accompanied by a certified copy of the inviter’s SA ID book.
o For all other types of visits, adequate documentation must be produced which confirms the nature of the visit and the duration of the visit.
How long does an application take to process?
- The processing period for all visas is 5 (five) working days if all documentation is complete.
Other important information regarding visas:
- Only applicants with valid residence in the Bulgaria can apply through the South African Embassy in Sofia.
- The visa only enables the holder to proceed to a port of entry before or on the expiry date of the visa, where the holder must comply with the applicable law, regulation and entry requirements.
- The visa shall upon admission, be considered to be a permit for the purpose of the Act and the period of validity of that permit shall be calculated from the date of admission.
- The period for which a permit will be valid will be set out under the heading ”conditions” on the visa label.
- Applicants must ensure that they apply for the correct visa/permit as any change in the purpose of stay may be refused if the purpose of the original entry was not correctly stated.
- The holder of a visitor’s permit may not conduct work unless specifically authorised to do so in terms of Section 11(2) of the Act.
- The holder of a visitors permit may not establish or operate a business.
- Visas cannot be applied for at a South African port of entry (for example, an airport).
- Any applicant allowed entry into South Africa due to misrepresentation, or false declaration on the application form or who stays in South Africa in contravention of his/her visa/permit conditions shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment as an illegal foreigner.
- After a visa is issued, the passport must contain one unused “visa” page for entry stamps.
Diplomatic/Official/Courtesy visas
- Completed visa application form - IN BLACK INK ONLY.
- Two (2) x passport size photographs.
- Original passport + copy of all relevant pages of the applicant’s passport.
- Official letter to identify themselves from their work.
Downloadable forms: