How to Get a Student Visa in Bulgaria

Studying in a foreign country such as Bulgaria can be a very exciting and rewarding experience as it gives you a chance to experience things from a difference perspective. The easiest path to a study abroad opportunity is if you are currently attending a college or university that has a study abroad program that matches you up with certain schools. However, you can also find a university that is located in Bulgaria and apply for admission with them directly. If you are going to or planning on studying in Bulgaria, then you will need to make sure that you apply for and obtain a student visa. By getting a student visa, you are making sure that you are legally in the country.

If you are preparing to come to Bulgaria as a student then you will need to first apply to a college or university in the country and get accepted for admission to a degree granting program. It is important to make sure that the school that you are applying to is an approved Bulgarian higher educational institution. You will have to be able to show that you have sufficient financial means to cover the cost of your education as well as general living expenses while in Bulgaria. The yearly tuition fees for students vary and ranges from $4000 per year to $5500 per year. If you also enroll in a language prep course that fee is usually around $3000 for nine months and $1700 for six months. The estimated cost of living for a student in Bulgaria is around $2000 per year so that is the amount of money that you need to show having access to. You will also need to submit to a medical exam to prove that you are in good health.

Once you have been granted admission to a Bulgarian university or college you will need to send you admission documentation as well as the proper paperwork for a long stay visa to the Ministry of Education and Science in Bulgaria. For specifics on what to include with your application check in with your local embassy or consulate in your home country. Once the Ministry of Education and Science in Bulgaria looks over your application they will issue you a long stay visa, or a Type D visa, if they approve of everything.

You can expect it to take about a month for the Ministry of Education and Science to look over your application and render their decision on it.

Once you actually arrive in Bulgaria you will be issued a Bulgarian ID card with your Type D visa. If you do not have a Type D visa you will not be able to be issued a Bulgarian ID card. This is important because you cannot register as a student at a Bulgarian university or college without a Bulgarian ID card.