Flight reservation
On the official checklist
The tourist checklist asks for proof of transport in the form of a return travel ticket or a confirmed booking, whether you travel by air, land or sea.
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Schengen area
Bulgaria visa checklist for Indian applicants
Indian citizens with ordinary passports need a visa to visit Bulgaria as tourists, unless they already hold a valid double or multiple-entry Schengen visa. Applications go through VFS Global in India and are decided by the Embassy of Bulgaria in New Delhi. The embassy looks at your itinerary, confirmed accommodation, return transport and daily funds.
- Visa
- Short-stay visa (Type C) - Tourist visit
- Visa fee
- INR 9,900 for Indian citizens; no visa fee for applicants aged 12 and below. VFS logistics charge INR 2,530. Visa fees are not refundable.
- Processing time
- Around 15 working days from submission according to the VFS overview; the checklist says up to 15 calendar days, extendable to 30 or a maximum of 60 calendar days when more scrutiny is needed.
- Stay allowed
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Documents to prepare
Where to apply: Submit at a VFS Global centre for Bulgaria in India. The Embassy of Bulgaria in New Delhi decides and may ask for extra documents or an interview. First-time applicants for Bulgaria or the Schengen area must apply in person.
- 1
Application form
Fully completed in English or Bulgarian and signed.
- 2
Passport
Valid at least three months after leaving Bulgaria, issued within the last 10 years, at least two empty pages back to back, no alterations on the data page.
- 3
Photograph
One recent colour photo, 3.5 x 4.5 cm, light background, face filling 70 to 80 percent of the frame.
- 4
Travel medical insurance
Minimum EUR 30,000 for the full stay; multiple-entry applicants cover the first visit and sign a declaration.
- 5
Cover letter
Explains the purpose of the trip with an itinerary and the exact places you will stay.
- 6
Means of transportation
Return travel ticket or confirmed booking.
- 7
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or other accommodation confirmed in your name.
- 8
Proof of occupation
Employer letter with position, years of service, leave approval and three months of salary certificate; business owners give a letterhead request with registration papers; students a leave letter and ID.
- 9
Proof of funds
At least EUR 50 per day and no less than EUR 500 in total, or proof of prepaid tourist services, plus three months of bank statements.
- 10
Income tax returns
ITR acknowledgements for the last three years.
- 11
Passport copies and old passports
Copy of the data pages and pages with earlier visas; originals of previous passports or proof of loss.
- 12
Minors
Birth certificate and notarised consent of the parent or parents not travelling, with copies of their passports or IDs.
Travel medical insurance: Travel medical insurance valid for Bulgaria for the whole stay with at least EUR 30,000 cover is required, issued by one of the approved insurers for India.
Hotel booking
On the official checklist
Proof of accommodation is required: a hotel booking or other accommodation that is guaranteed and confirmed in the applicant's name, or papers such as a title deed or lease.
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Bulgaria visa FAQ
Does Bulgaria ask for a flight reservation for a tourist visa?
Yes. The checklist asks for a return travel ticket or a confirmed booking as proof of transport. It should show both your arrival and your return.
Is a hotel booking needed for a Bulgaria visa?
Yes. The checklist asks for a hotel booking or other accommodation that is guaranteed and confirmed in the applicant's name. Property owners or tenants can show a title deed or lease instead.
When should I apply for a Bulgaria tourist visa?
Not earlier than three months before departure. Processing is stated as about 15 days but can run to 30 or 60 calendar days, so leave a comfortable margin.
Can I visit Bulgaria on a Schengen visa?
According to the source, holders of a valid uniform Schengen visa for two or multiple entries, a Schengen long-stay visa or a Schengen residence permit do not need a separate Bulgarian visa for stays up to 90 days.
Sources and accuracy
VFS Global overview and 'Bulgarian visa for tourist visit' checklist supplied for India, 2026 edition. The supplied documents describe the procedure in Bulgarian national-visa terms.. Last checked 2026-11. We are not a government body and this page is general information, not visa advice. Consulates change their lists without notice, so always confirm on the official page before you apply.
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