Bulgarian legislation allows foreigners who have received a residence permit in the country to declare their intention to reunite their family. Obtaining such a permit enables the family members of the foreigner legally residing in Bulgaria to also enter and reside there.
The law defines “family reunification” as the entry and residence in a Member State of family members of a foreigner, who legally resides in that Member State, with the aim of preserving family unity, no matter if the family relationship has been created before or after that person’s entry.
The procedure is carried out in several phases and begins with the submission of an application by the foreigner residing in the country.
The affirmative decision on the application for family reunification is the legal ground for the family member to be issued a long-term residence visa (“D” visa) under a simplified procedure. The family member of the resident foreigner applies for a visa to the foreign representation of the Republic of Bulgaria in the country of their permanent residence or to the foreign representation accredited for the country of their permanent residence, within 6 months of the notification.
I. Obtaining approval for the family reunification of a foreigner
Family reunification permit is acquired within the following steps:
- Submission of an application by the foreigner with a permitted residence status in the Republic of Bulgaria, together with the required documents:
- a copy of a regular foreign travel document of the family member with a validity period of at least 6 months, counted from the date of submission of the application, together with the pages of the photo and personal data;
- document for paid state fee;
- evidence of accommodation;
- evidence of sufficient financial means to support the family members (not less than the minimum monthly salary or the minimum pension for Bulgaria), for the period of residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;
- a criminal record certificate of the family member, issued by the country of which the foreigner is a citizen, or by the country of his habitual residence – upon initial submission of the application;
- civil marriage certificate or birth certificate;
- If family members over the age of 18 require special care due to health reasons, this should be certified with a document.
This is followed by a review of the documents and a written invitation to the applicant at his home address for an interview; completion of the application with the missing documents, if any exist.
An interview is being conducted.
The “Consular Relations” Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is notified for the decision taken for family reunification within a month. After that, the applicant is also notified in writing for the decision taken for family reunification at the counter of the Migration Directorate.
II. Obtaining visa.
If the application is approved, then the family member can apply for a D visa to the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in their country. Issuance of the visa takes up to 30 days. No fee is due.
The following documents are also attached to the application for the issuance of a long-term visa:
– a copy of the national passport;
– medical insurance.
III. Follow-up procedure after approval. Obtaining a residence permit.
After arriving in the Republic of Bulgaria with the issued long-term residence visa, the family member must visit the relevant office of the Migration Directorate to finalize the procedure for obtaining a residence permit.
An interview is conducted with the two foreigners, in case they are spouses. This is done in order to assess whether there are circumstances to assume that the marriage was concluded in order to circumvent the rules of the residence regime.
Within three days, the period of the permitted stay of the foreigner – a family member, is specified, if that there are no grounds for revoking the status granted.
After the term end date has been set, the applicant pays a state fee for the granted term of residence and issuance of a card (residence permit).