Bulgaria business visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Bulgaria business Schengen visa when you apply from United Kingdom.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇧🇬 Bulgaria·····✈·····🇬🇧 from United Kingdom
To
Bulgaria
Type
C · BUSINESS
Apply at
UK
Centre
VAC
See only what applies to you.Sign in to personalize this checklist — your passport & residence-permit checks, and the caveats that actually apply to you.
Sign in to personalize →Visa required
Action neededBusiness — short stay (Type C) · applying from United Kingdom.
Documents ready00 / 12
Competent authority
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in London (clearance via MFA Sofia) - covers UK residents
Application centre
VFS Global (London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff)
Recommended — commonly expected even when not on the official list
Cover letterA letter of introduction stating who you are and why you are travelling.
Travel itineraryA day-by-day plan of your trip to attach to the application.
Fees
Consular (Type C)
€90
Service fee
£29.7
Est. total (adult)
£110.7
Long stay (Type D)
—
The short-stay (Type C) consular fee is harmonised at €90 for adults across all Schengen states; collected in GBP · centre: VFS Global.
Fee notes
VFS Global. Bulgaria full Schengen member (land borders Jan 2025).
Timeline
medium confidenceProcessing
15–45 days
End-to-end
4–10 weeks
Centre
VAC
Appointment wait
Approximately 2-4 weeks across UK centres; slots can be scarce, worse in summer.
Application centre
VFS Global (Bulgaria now full Schengen member; short-stay handled via VFS Global UK). London, Manchester, Edinburgh.
Timeline notes
Bulgaria joined Schengen fully in 2024-2025, so the standard 15/45 baseline applies. Wait time from secondary sources.
Funds to show
high confidenceThe amount you must be able to prove, per the Schengen Borders Code reference amount. It depends only on the destination — not on your nationality or where you apply.
Per day
€50
Minimum
€500
In EUR ≈
as shown
Floor
subsistence funds must be at least EUR 50/day but not less than EUR 500 total (floor), or proof of prepaid tourist services
Notes
Figures are officially denominated in EUR (Art. 17 of the Visa Ordinance, Decree 198/2011, last amended 13.05.2022). National currency was the lev (BGN, fixed peg 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN); Bulgaria adopted the euro on 01/01/2026. Extra: EUR 100 required if entering by self-driven vehicle; transit visa needs >= EUR 50/transit (+ EUR 200 for self-driven land transit).
Consulates apply discretion and may expect a buffer above this figure — treat it as a floor, not a guarantee.
Funds source ↗⚠ Special cases & caveats
- Accompanying family membersApply as tourists rather than under the business category.
- Non-British residents of the UKUK immigration status must be valid at least 1 month beyond return.
- All documentsSupporting documents must be recent (not older than 1 month).