Immigration Law
Help with Bulgarian residence and work permits for non-EU nationals, covering every ground open under Bulgarian and European law.
Immigration is the main area of practice at Borderless Legal. For years we have handled procedures for third-country nationals who want to live, work or run a business in Bulgaria.
We have carried hundreds of procedures through to the end. They rested on the grounds set out in the Law on Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria and applicable European legislation: temporary and permanent residence permits, the single permit for residence and work, the EU Blue Card, and permits for investors, property owners and family members of Bulgarian citizens.
We identify the legal ground that suits your circumstances best, then stay beside you from the first document to the day the permit is issued.
Services we provide
- Temporary residence permits, whatever the legal ground
- Permanent residence permits
- Combined permits to live and work in Bulgaria
- Blue Card of the EU, meant for specialists with high qualifications
- Residence permits for investors
- Residence permits for owners of property
- Bringing family members of third-country nationals to join them
- Residence for relatives of Bulgarian citizens
- Residence as the commercial representative of a foreign company
- Residence for the manager of a trading company
- Residence for study purposes
- Advice on planning your immigration and picking the right legal ground
Need advice or legal support on this subject?
Arrange a consultationCommon questions
- Which grounds for residence are available to non-EU nationals in Bulgaria?
- Three routes stand out. First, extended residence: it suits students, pensioners, digital nomads, property owners, trade representatives, managers of a company with more than 10 staff, and family members of a Bulgarian citizen or of a foreigner who holds a residence permit. Second, permanent residence, which comes after 5 years of extended residence, through an investment in Bulgaria, through Bulgarian origin, and so on. Third, residence and work, a work visa for a term of 3 or 5 years that requires a valid employment contract and depends on the foreign national's education.
- What is the processing time for a Bulgarian residence permit?
- The Migration Directorate reviews an extended residence application in 14 days and a permanent residence application in 2 months. In both cases a type D visa must be obtained beforehand from a Bulgarian diplomatic mission abroad, and that adds 2 to 7 weeks. A residence-and-work procedure lasts 3 to 6 months.
- Is it possible for a foreigner to set up a company in Bulgaria and get residence on that basis?
- Yes. Once registered as manager of a Bulgarian commercial company, a foreigner may request an extended residence permit on the ground of "manager." Which conditions the company must meet, hired staff or a minimum capital, depends on the legal ground that applies.
- What can be done if a residence permit application is turned down?
- A refusal can be appealed administratively to the superior authority within 14 days. If the refusal is upheld, the decision can then be appealed in court before the administrative court. The firm helps with the appeal and with weighing other grounds for residence.
- Where can I find legal help with immigration matters in Bulgaria?
- Call +359 886 882 208 or write to office@borderless-legal-bulgaria.com. The first consultation on your case is free.
Looking for legal support?
Get in touch and we will hold a free first consultation on your case.
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