A United States passport is required for U.S. citizens who are not also Bulgarian nationals. As of September 1, 2006, U.S. citizens who enter the country without a Bulgarian visa are authorized to stay for a total of 90 days within a six-month period. This law is strictly enforced. An application to extend one's stay beyond the original 90 days can be filed for urgent or humanitarian reasons, but must be submitted to regional police authorities no later than five days prior to the end of the original 90-day period. Travelers who have been in the country for 90 days, and then leave, will not be able to reenter Bulgaria before the six-month period expires. Travelers using official or diplomatic passports must secure visas prior to arrival. Upon entering the country, Bulgarian immigration authorities request that all foreigners declare the purpose of their visit and provide their intended address.
U.S. citizens intending to live or work in Bulgaria for more than 90 days within six months (or more than six months within a year) must obtain a “D” visa prior to arrival. The practice of switching from tourist status to long-term status when already in Bulgaria is no longer allowed. Those wanting to do so must leave Bulgaria and apply for a "D" visa at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate. This procedure takes from two to four weeks.
Embassy
and Consulate in the US :
For
more information, contact the Consular Section of the Embassy
of the Republic of Bulgaria, 1621 22nd St., NW, Washington,
DC 20008 (202-387-7969 or 202-387-0174) or the Bulgarian Consulate
in New York at (212-935-4646). Internet: www.bulgaria-embassy.org
Bulgaria
Travel
Health Information :
Vaccination
or Disease
Recommendations or Requirements for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Recommended if you are not up-to-date with routine shots such as, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, etc.
Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in countries with an intermediate or high level of hepatitis A virus infection ( see map ) where exposure might occur through food or water. Cases of travel-related hepatitis A can also occur in travelers to developing countries with "standard" tourist itineraries, accommodations, and food consumption behaviors.
Recommended for all unvaccinated persons traveling to or working in countries with intermediate to high levels of endemic HBV transmission ( see map ) and who might be exposed to blood or body fluids, have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment, such as for an accident, and for all adults requesting protection from HBV infection.
Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, especially if visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives where exposure might occur through food or water.
Recommended for travelers spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural areas, involved in activities such as bicycling, camping, hiking, or work. Also, children are considered at higher risk because they tend to play with animals and may not report bites.
