Description
Please note that the British “Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National,” “Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National,” or “Permanent Residence Card according to EU Directive 2004/38/EC” (refer to Downloads: Residence Documentation) no longer qualifies for visa-free travel after the end of the Transition period (31 Dec 2020).
If you plan to travel alone, you must apply for a regular Schengen visa, and regular visa fees will apply. However, if you are traveling with your non-Austrian EU/EEA/Swiss family member, the visa will be granted free of charge, and no additional documentation is required apart from the travel plans of both you and the non-Austrian EU family member, as well as the document that confirms the family membership (birth certificate, marriage certificate).
Every applicant, including children and infants, must personally submit their Schengen visa application on their scheduled appointment date, which can be booked online (refer to Schedule an Appointment) by the applicant.
For non-EU citizens who are unsure whether a Schengen visa is required to travel to the Schengen Area, please click on “Do I need a visa?” to find out.
Family members of non-Austrian EU/EEA and Swiss citizens (excluding family members of Austrians and UK citizens) may be eligible for a simplified procedure. The following family members of non-Austrian EEA/EU and Swiss nationals are entitled to apply for a Schengen visa as a non-Austrian EEA/EU Family member, which requires fewer documents than regular tourists and exempts them from paying the applicable visa fee when traveling together with their non-Austrian EEA/EU or Swiss family member:
– Spouse
– Child(ren)
– Registered partner
In order to ensure a smooth and efficient visa application process, it is important to understand the eligibility requirements and procedures. Please note that the following information pertains to applicants who do not hold Austrian EEA/EU or Swiss Family member status.
If an applicant is traveling without their non-Austrian EEA/EU or Swiss Family member, they are not eligible to apply as a non-Austrian EEA/EU Family member. Instead, they must apply for a Tourist visa. This entails providing all the necessary documents and paying the applicable visa fee.
However, if the applicant holds one of the aforementioned UK residence permits and is traveling without their EEA/EU or Swiss Family member, they are also required to apply for a Tourist visa. The same process applies, which involves submitting the required documents and paying the applicable visa fee.
To be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Possess a valid passport or travel document.
- Hold a valid UK residence permit. It is important to note that if the applicant holds a short stay visa for the UK (C type visa), they must apply for a Schengen visa from their country of residence.
Documents Required
The following list of documents is not exhaustive, and the Mission may request additional information or documents if necessary.
Both the standard and supporting documentation must be recent, no older than one month.
Applicants must bring and present their original documents, but only need to submit photocopies unless otherwise specified.
Documents to be submitted with the visa application:
- Application form & Photograph: The visa application form must be fully completed in English and signed in two places by the applicant (field no 37 and last field). Please download the form. Additionally, include one recent color passport photograph.
- For Minors under the age of 18: Both parents and guardians must sign the application form. Family members of European Union citizens should fill in the fields of the visa application form that indicate their family relationship.
- Original Passport: The passport must be valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure from the Republic of Bulgaria. If there are multiple visits planned, it must be valid after the last scheduled departure from the Republic of Bulgaria. The passport should contain at least two empty pages and must have been issued within the previous 10 years.
- Photocopies: Please provide photocopies of the data pages of your passport, as well as any current and previous expired visas, if applicable.
- Valid UK Residence Permit: Proof of UK residence must be endorsed in the passport or issued as a Biometrics card. The permit should be valid for at least one month upon return to the UK. Please note that a C type visitor visa is not acceptable.
- Proof of family relationship: Include the original and a copy of the marriage certificate or birth certificate.
- Copy of the EU/EEA citizen’s passport.
For minors (children below 18 years of age), the following additional documents are required:
- Declaration of Consent for Minor Children: This document must be signed by both parents.
- Original and Copy of Parents’ Passports: Both parents must provide their passports.
- Power of Attorney or Court Order: In case one of the parents is not present, a power of attorney or court order mentioning custody is required.
- Original and Copy of Child’s Birth Certificate: The child’s birth certificate, along with a certified translation, if necessary, must be provided.
Please note that upon entry into Bulgaria, foreign nationals must declare the purpose of their stay and provide the address where they will reside. This can be done by filling in a registration form. However, citizens of the European Union member-states and the countries in the Economic European Area are exempt from this requirement.
Furthermore, all foreign visitors should be aware that according to Bulgarian Law, they are obligated to contact the local police station within 48 hours (about 2 days) of their arrival in Bulgaria. They must provide written notification of the address where they will be staying. If they are staying in a hotel or private lodgings, the hotel management or host is responsible for registering them at the local police station.
Please ensure that you comply with these requirements to avoid any complications during your stay in Bulgaria.
Photo Specification
Please submit one current color portrait of yourself that is no older than six months that satisfies the conditions listed below:
- Captured on a light background (white or off-white) to make features stand out and contrast with the background.
- Face-focused and of high clarity
- Full face: not grinning, no sunglasses, no hats or other head coverings, unless the applicant is wearing them due to his or her ethnicity or religion.
- Printed from a camera print on standard photographic paper.
- The photo that is adhered to the visa application form
The visa application will be deemed incomplete if the submitted photos don’t fulfill these specifications (see examples here), and the applicant will be asked to take fresh pictures in the photo booth at the visa application center.
Processing Time
Visa applications can be submitted up to 3 months prior to your departure date.
Please note that the minimum processing time for a visa application is 15 calendar days.
Every application must receive clearance from the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry in Sofia. If an application is submitted less than 15 calendar days before your travel date, we cannot guarantee a timely completion of the visa process.
To ensure a smooth and efficient process, we recommend the following for all customers:
- Book your appointment as soon as you know your travel plans.
- Ensure that your visa application documentation meets the requirements set by the Mission.
- Allow sufficient processing time for the Mission to review your application.
- Take into consideration that closures and holidays of Mission may extend the processing time of your visa application.
If you are submitting your visa application at our satellite centers in Manchester, Cardiff, or Edinburgh, please add an additional 2 days to the minimum processing time. This is because your application will first be dispatched to the London office, and then forwarded to the Mission in London the following day.
During the visa application process, the Mission may request additional information or documents, or even invite applicants for an interview. Please be aware that these requests may cause delays in the visa process, and applicants are responsible for any resulting delays.
Downloads
You may access and download all the relevant forms from this location.
Sample Visa Form Word: Sample vis -Schengen-WORD.docx
Sample Visa Form PDF: Sample vis -Schengen-WORD.pdf
Online Application form: Visa Application Form
Checklist: EU Checklist.pdf
Free Consultation
To proceed with your visa application, please fill out the attached sample form (PDF, Word) completely. If you are unsure about any information, leave it blank. Once you have completed the form, please return it to us along with your passport, BRP card/UK residency, and copies of any previous Schengen visas that you have held.
Please forward the documents through email: sales@globalvisaagent.co.uk
A consultation call will be scheduled after we have received this information to further discuss the application.
OR
After sending the documents you can call us at +442035001580.
We strictly follow the GDPR Policy, your documents will be handled/saved & deleted accordingly.
