Bulgaria entry requirements for Nepal passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Nepalese passport holders need a visa to enter Bulgaria. You must apply at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate before you travel — there is no visa-on-arrival or e-visa option as of 2026. Plan ahead, as processing can take a couple of weeks.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Schengen visa (C-type) | Apply at the Bulgarian embassy or visa application centre in Nepal. You need a completed application form, two recent photos, travel insurance covering €30,000, flight itinerary, and proof of accommodation. Processing takes 15 calendar days — apply at least 3 weeks before departure.Apply for visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for your entire stay in Bulgaria | Your passport must be valid for the whole period you plan to stay in Bulgaria. Schengen rules do not require 6 months beyond departure, but some airlines enforce it — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of onward travel | Immigration officers at Sofia Airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy ready showing your departure from Bulgaria or the Schengen area. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Have a confirmed hotel reservation for the first few nights or a letter of invitation from your host in Bulgaria. Officers at border control may ask to see it. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Carry bank statements or a credit card showing access to at least €50 per day of your stay. Immigration can ask for proof of sufficient funds at the border. | Recommended |
Bulgaria is not in the Schengen area for visa purposes
A Bulgarian visa does not allow you to enter other Schengen countries (e.g., Germany, France, Italy). If you plan to travel beyond Bulgaria, you need a separate Schengen visa. Similarly, a Schengen visa does not automatically allow entry to Bulgaria — check before you go.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents
Gather all the required documents listed above. Make photocopies of everything — the embassy will keep the originals and return copies to you.
2
Book an appointment at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate
Contact the Bulgarian embassy in Kathmandu (or the nearest one if you're abroad). Appointments are usually required. Expect to wait a few days to a week for a slot.
3
Submit your application in person
Go to the embassy at your appointment time. Submit your form, documents, and photos. Pay the visa fee (around €80 for adults, less for children). They'll take your fingerprints.
4
Wait for processing
Standard processing takes about 15 calendar days. It can take up to 45 days if additional checks are needed. You'll be told when to collect your passport.
5
Collect your passport and visa
Return to the embassy with the receipt they gave you. Check the visa sticker carefully — make sure your name, dates, and number of entries are correct.
6
Travel to Bulgaria
At Sofia Airport or any land border, present your passport with the visa. The officer may ask for your return ticket and accommodation proof. Answer clearly and honestly.
Download Bulgaria Entry Checklist
PDF · Nepal Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 3 months
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Standard Schengen visa for tourism.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 1 year or more
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Allows multiple entries; validity depends on embassy discretion.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayOver 90 days
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€100 (~$109 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires additional documentation.
work visa
Work Permit and Residence Visa
Up to 1 year, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) visa fee + employer costs
For employment in Bulgaria. Requires a job offer and work permit from the Bulgarian government. Allows long-term stay and family reunification.
student visa
Student Visa (D visa)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) visa fee
For enrollment in a Bulgarian educational institution. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work.
investor visa
Investor Residence Permit
1 year, renewable
€500 (~$545 USD) application fee
For investors who invest at least BGN 1,000,000 (~€511,000) in Bulgarian business or government bonds. Grants residence and path to citizenship.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard Schengen visa fee for adults. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Visa service fee (if applicable)Additional fees may apply for visa application centers. | Varies by application center |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documentation20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Bulgaria
Transit visa required
Nepal passport holders generally need a transit visa to pass through Bulgaria to a third country, even if staying airside.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of valid Schengen, UK, US, or Canada visas may transit without a visa.
Transit hubsSofia Airport (SOF) · Burgas Airport (BOJ) · Varna Airport (VAR)
Health & vaccines for Bulgaria
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheriaEssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Risk in forested areas, especially spring to autumn.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Transmitted by ticks in rural areas.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Standard food hygiene is good, but caution with street food.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Sofia
Migration Directorate - Sofia
47, Knyaginya Maria Luiza Blvd., Sofia
Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00
Main office for visa and residence permit issues.
Plovdiv
Regional Migration Office - Plovdiv
2, Ivan Vazov Str., Plovdiv
Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00
Handles extensions and residence permits.
Practical information for NP travellers
Country basics
CapitalSofia
LanguageBulgarian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 6 months; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyBulgarian Lev (BGN)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1.68 BGN
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h
vs Los Angeles+10h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (Europlug) and Type F (Schuko) plugs are used.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is generally safe to drink in major cities, but bottled water is recommended in rural areas.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
If you are transiting through a Bulgarian airport and do not leave the international transit area, you generally do not need a visa. However, if you need to clear immigration (e.g., to switch airports or stay overnight), you will need a visa. Check with your airline before booking.
Standard processing is about 15 calendar days from the date you submit your application. It can take up to 45 days if your case requires additional checks. Apply at least a month before your planned travel.
No, there is no e-visa for Bulgaria for Nepalese passport holders. You must apply in person at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate. The nearest one for most Nepalese travellers is in New Delhi, India, but there is also an honorary consulate in Kathmandu that can accept applications.
The visa fee is approximately €80 (around NPR 11,500) for adults. Children aged 6–12 pay about €40, and children under 6 are free. Fees are subject to change, so check with the embassy before paying.
Overstaying is a serious offence. You may be fined, banned from re-entering Bulgaria or the Schengen area, and in some cases detained. Always leave before your visa expires. If you have a genuine emergency, contact the local immigration office immediately.
Extensions are possible only in exceptional circumstances (e.g., medical emergency, force majeure). You must apply at the local immigration office before your visa expires. Standard tourist stays cannot be extended.
Bulgaria is not yet a full Schengen member for visa purposes. A Bulgarian visa allows you to stay only in Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus. If you plan to visit other Schengen countries (e.g., Germany, France), you need a separate Schengen visa.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.