Bulgaria Transit Visa
A Bulgaria Transit Visa allows a foreign national to pass through Bulgaria or a Bulgarian airport on the way to a third country. There are two relevant categories: the Airport Transit Visa (Type A), which permits a traveller to remain within the international transit area of a Bulgarian airport while changing flights, without formally entering Bulgarian territory; and the short-stay Visa (Type C), which is used both for planned stays and for transit that involves actually entering Bulgarian territory, for example travelling onward by land or sea, or leaving the airport transit area.
Since Bulgaria fully joined the Schengen area, a Type C visa used for transit also allows travel through the wider Schengen area during its validity, subject to the standard 90-days-within-180-days limit. Travellers whose nationality is not exempt from the relevant transit visa requirement must apply before travel, and the application should be lodged no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before the intended date of transit.
Approval is determined solely by the Bulgarian consular authorities, based on the traveller’s onward travel documentation and eligibility for the specific transit category required.
Eligibility
- Applicant must have confirmed onward travel to a third country, with Bulgaria (or transit through Bulgarian airspace/territory) serving only as a stopover.
- Applicant must hold a valid travel document, issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen area.
- Applicant must hold an onward ticket to the destination, unless the destination is exempt from this requirement.
- For Airport Transit Visa (Type A): applicant must remain within the international transit area and not pass through Bulgarian border control.
- For Visa C used for transit: applicant must meet the same core requirements as a short-stay Schengen visa, including travel insurance and financial proof.
- Applicant must not fall under any category posing a security, public health, or public policy risk.
Government Visa Fees
| Fee Type | Government Fee (EUR) |
| Airport Transit Visa (Type A) | EUR 90 (harmonised Schengen short-stay fee) |
| Short-Stay Visa (Type C) used for transit | EUR 90 (harmonised Schengen short-stay fee) |
| Children aged 6–11 | EUR 45 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
The fee is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances. Exchange rates fluctuate daily, so confirm the current INR equivalent before payment.
Processing Time
As with other Schengen short-stay categories, Transit Visa applications (Type A or Type C) are generally decided within 15 calendar days of submission, under the standard Schengen visa processing timeframe. This period may be extended up to 30 days in individual cases, and up to 60 days in exceptional circumstances requiring additional scrutiny.
Given that transit journeys are typically planned around a specific connecting flight or onward route, applicants should apply as early as possible within the permitted six-month to 15-day window and avoid finalising connecting travel arrangements until the visa is confirmed. Processing can be affected by the completeness of the onward travel documentation submitted. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances.
Required Documents Checklist
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
A Bulgaria Transit Visa application often has to be completed on a tight timeline tied to connecting flights, so getting the right visa type and complete onward travel documentation matters. Shivansh Consultants offers Documentation Support and a clear Eligibility Assessment to confirm whether you need an Airport Transit Visa or a Type C transit visa.
We provide thorough Application Review, Personalized Guidance, and a Transparent Process so your onward travel documentation is complete before submission. With End-to-End Assistance, we help you avoid the kind of missing document that can jeopardise a connecting flight. We do not guarantee visa approval, as this decision rests entirely with the Bulgarian consular authorities.