What is the Invitation-Declaration for a Bulgaria business visa?

It is the official form by which a Bulgarian person or company invites a foreigner for business. It must be signed and stamped by the inviter, certified by a notary public, and certified by the Migration Directorate of Bulgaria's Ministry of Interior. An ordinary invitation letter does not replace it.

Do I need a hotel booking?

Only if your accommodation is not covered elsewhere. Bulgaria's checklist says accommodation can be provided by the inviting company or person in the Invitation-Declaration itself.

How many years of tax returns does Bulgaria want?

Three years of income-tax returns — personal, and the company's if applicable — with three months of bank statements.

What are the photograph rules?

A recent professional colour photograph, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, on a light background, full face filling 70–80% of the frame. Dark glasses are not accepted, and a head covering only where it is worn for religious reasons.

What should my employer's letter say?

On the company's official letterhead: your position, your years in service and that leave has been granted, accompanied by salary certificates for the last three months.

Bulgaria · Visa guide

Bulgaria Business Visa

A short-stay Schengen visa for business meetings, conferences and training in Bulgaria.

ProcessingUsually about 15 calendar days from submission
Visa categoryBusiness Visa
Your guideOne consultant

Get a free assessment WhatsApp us

A business visitor visa is refused when the purpose looks like work. Call us with the invitation and your company details. We tell you if the purpose reads right.

Call +91 91155 80911 WhatsApp

Start here

Bulgaria Business Visa — overview

A Bulgarian business visa is a short-stay visa for meetings and commercial visits. Bulgaria asks the inviting side for a specific statutory document — the Invitation-Declaration for a business visit of a foreigner — and sets out three separate endorsements it must carry.

It is prepared on the official form, signed and stamped by the inviting person or company, certified by a notary public, and then certified again by the Migration Directorate of Bulgaria's Ministry of Interior. Where it names your accommodation, no hotel booking is needed.

One document, three stamps

A Bulgarian business visa turns on a single piece of paper with an unwieldy name: the Invitation-Declaration for a business visit of a foreigner to the Republic of Bulgaria. The checklist sets out what makes it valid:

it is prepared on the official form — Enclosure 4 or Enclosure 6 to Bulgaria's regulation on issuing visas;
it is signed and stamped by the inviting person or company;
it is certified by a notary public;
it is certified by the bodies for administrative control of foreigners — the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior of Bulgaria.

A letter on company letterhead, however warm, is none of those things. The Bulgarian side has to take the form to a notary and then to the Migration Directorate, and both steps happen in Bulgaria. It is the item that sets your timetable, so ask your business partner to begin it as soon as the visit is agreed.

The Invitation-Declaration can cover your hotel

A useful consequence: Bulgaria's accommodation line says a hotel booking or accommodation "provided by the inviting company/person in the Invitation-Declaration". If the form states where you will stay, you do not need a separate reservation. Check the form before you book anything.

Three years of tax returns

Bulgaria asks for three months of bank statements and three years of income-tax returns — personal, and the company's where applicable. Owners and directors should have the company's returns ready alongside their own.

Your professional standing, in writing

Employed: a letter on official letterhead giving your position, your years in service and the grant of leave, with salary certificates for three months.
Business or self-employed: a visa request letter on letterhead, with company registration papers.

The photograph

Bulgaria is particular: a professional colour photograph, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, light background, the face filling 70–80% of the frame. No dark glasses, and a head covering only for religious reasons — which covers a turban. Cut-outs of amateur photographs are not accepted.

Source: Bulgaria — Checklist for a Bulgarian visa for business visit, as issued through VFS Global and held in our knowledge base. Requirements change; confirm against the current checklist before you submit.

11 items

Documents you need

Application form
Fully completed in English or Bulgarian, and signed in the last field.
Passport
Valid at least three months after your last intended departure from Bulgaria, at least two empty pages (back to back), issued within the previous 10 years, with no alteration or handwritten amendment on the data page.
One photograph
Recent, full colour, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, light background, full face taking up 70–80% of the photo. No dark glasses; no hat or head covering unless worn for religious reasons; no non-professional photos.
Proof of residence, if applicable
For applicants staying temporarily in another state: a copy of the stay permit.
Travel medical insurance
Covering the entire stay, minimum EUR 30,000. For multiple entries: cover for the first visit, plus a signed statement on the prescribed form that you know you need insurance for later stays.
Cover letter
Explaining the purpose of the trip, the duration of stay and any subsequent visits.
Means of transportation
A return ticket or confirmed booking.
Proof of accommodation
A hotel booking — or the accommodation can be provided by the inviting company or person in the Invitation-Declaration.
Invitation-Declaration for a business visit
On the official form (Enclosure 4 or 6 to Bulgaria's visa regulation), signed and stamped by the inviting person or legal entity, certified by a notary public, and certified by the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior of Bulgaria.
Proof of social and professional status
Employed: a letter on company letterhead stating your position, years in service and grant of leave, with salary certificates for three months. Business or self-employed: a visa request letter on letterhead with company registration papers.
Proof of sufficient funds
Three months' bank statements (savings and current, as applicable) and three years' income-tax returns — personal, and the company's if applicable.

5 steps

How the process works

Typical processing: Usually about 15 calendar days from submission — may extend up to 45 calendar days. Apply at least 2-3 weeks before travel.

Step 1
Free eligibility review
We assess your profile and build a document checklist matched to the embassy's requirements.
Step 2
Build the file & cover letter
Every document — finances, bookings, insurance and the cover letter — is prepared and verified.
Step 3
Book the VFS Global appointment
Applications in India are submitted through VFS Global — we schedule your slot.
Step 4
Submit & give biometrics
You attend the VFS centre to submit the file and provide fingerprints and a photograph.
Step 5
Decision & passport return
The embassy decides the application and your passport is returned through VFS.

Transparent

Costs & fees

Item

Amount

Schengen visa fee (adult)

EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11; under 6 exempt. Payable in INR.

EUR 90

VFS Global service charge

Plus optional add-ons such as courier.

Confirmed at booking

Government and third-party fees change often — we confirm the exact current amounts for your case before you pay anything.

5 answers

Frequently asked questions

It is the official form by which a Bulgarian person or company invites a foreigner for business. It must be signed and stamped by the inviter, certified by a notary public, and certified by the Migration Directorate of Bulgaria's Ministry of Interior. An ordinary invitation letter does not replace it.
Only if your accommodation is not covered elsewhere. Bulgaria's checklist says accommodation can be provided by the inviting company or person in the Invitation-Declaration itself.
Three years of income-tax returns — personal, and the company's if applicable — with three months of bank statements.
A recent professional colour photograph, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, on a light background, full face filling 70–80% of the frame. Dark glasses are not accepted, and a head covering only where it is worn for religious reasons.
On the company's official letterhead: your position, your years in service and that leave has been granted, accompanied by salary certificates for the last three months.

Why it matters

Going it alone vs filing with us

On your own

Guessing the document list — one missing or wrongly formatted paper triggers a refusal.
Generic cover letters copied from the internet that officers recognise and flag.
No read on peak rejection windows or what this visa post is strict about.
Government and VFS fees are non-refundable — money lost if you are refused.
A refusal stamp follows you and weakens every future visa application.

With Lifeset Overseas

An honest case assessment before you spend a rupee on government fees.
A file built to the embassy's exact checklist and in the exact order.
Weak finances, ties or purpose identified and fixed before submission.
Previously refused? We can rescue and rebuild the file.
Every case handled by one consultant, end to end.

Refused before?

A refusal isn't the end

A refusal is not a permanent bar — but it only improves if the actual reason is found and answered, and nobody can tell you a second application will succeed. If a Bulgaria visa has been refused, we: