It is good to live in Bulgaria yourself, but it is even better to be able to share your joy with your loved ones by inviting them to visit. What do I need for guests to be able to obtain a visa?

For private individuals

In Bulgarian, the invitation is called "Pokana-declaration". This document gives foreigners the right to stay on Bulgarian territory for 90 days (if the invitation is issued for a relative) or for one month, if they invite just acquaintances or friends. The document is valid for six months.

Both citizens of the country and holders of permits for long-term (residence permit), long-term (residence permit) or permanent (permanent residence) can issue invitations to foreigners to visit Bulgaria. To issue a document, you should contact the "Migration" department at your place of residence.

Migration service employees must provide a pre-filled and notarized invitation (Pokana declaration). The document must be filled out with a blue pen, without blotches, and the signature must be put strictly in the presence of a notary. It is also necessary to prove that the guest will be provided with housing and material resources while living in the country. To do this, you must provide the following documents:

• Declaration of the availability of a place to stay (declaration of property).
• A document confirming the availability of funds for living. This can be a certificate from the work of the inviter, or a copy of the tax return for the previous year with the incoming number of the relevant department of the tax service (NAP). Those who do not work can provide a certificate from the bank. Pensioners attach a copy of the pension certificate (notarized) to the invitation.

You need to fill out the declaration-invitation in two copies (both are certified by a notary), submit to the Migration only in person.The certification period is 7 days. It costs 10 leva excluding bank commission.

Now it remains to send an invitation to the guest so that he can obtain a visa in his homeland on the basis of this document. To do this, you need to have the original document, copies will not do.

Invitation from a legal entity or a representative office of a foreign company

Individuals usually issue invitations for private visits. An invitation for a business trip can be issued from a company or representative office. Attention! The form of the invitation is different, so you immediately need to download the necessary document on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Trade.

In this case, for the execution of documentation, you need to provide a certificate from the National Registration Office and a certificate of the current state of the company (issued by the Registration Agency, valid for 3 months). If the invitation is issued by a trade mission, then you need a certificate certifying its relevance (issued by the BCCI, also valid for 3 months).

Further, the procedure is the same as when issuing an invitation from a private person: you need to fill out a "posta declaration", notarize the document, and then submit it to the migration service. After that, all that remains is to pay the standard fee, pick up the document in a week and send it addressee.

Details

The law does not regulate the number of invitees, but it is recommended to take into account the size of the house or apartment where the visitors will live, so that migration officers do not have any questions.

Homeowners show a notarial deed when drawing up a declaration of the availability of housing. And those who rent an apartment themselves simply indicate in the declaration that they have entered into a lease agreement for a certain period.

The one who issues the invitation is responsible for his guests. For example, the owner is obliged to provide accommodation and food to those who come to him by invitation. And if guests lose return tickets, then their sending home will be carried out at the expense of the inviting person. Unpleasant impressions are guaranteed to the host even if guests break the law. For these reasons, you should not issue invitations to unfamiliar people.

There are many sample invitations, and it is important to choose the right one right away. In A small cheat sheet will help with this:

• Individuals fill out invitations according to the sample from Appendix No3 to Article 17, paragraph 4 of the NURIVOV (Order on the conditions and procedure for issuing visas and determining the visa regime). A housing declaration and an income document are attached to the document.
• Individuals or legal entities operating under the ToR use the sample from Appendix No4 (business visit). You also need to submit a certificate of current status and a copy of the tax return to the Migration.
• Legal entities registered under the Law on Legal Entities with Non-Economic Purposes (Law on Legal Entities with Non-Economic Purposes) fill out an invitation declaration for a business visa according to the sample from Appendix No5. Additionally, you will need a certificate of current status and a copy of the certificate of registration with the tax service.
• When issuing an invitation from a trade mission, you must use the sample from Appendix No6. It is accompanied by a certificate from the BCCI and a copy of the certificate of registration with the tax service.