Study Abroad in Bulgaria complete Single Page Guideline for Pakistani Students 2024
Why Pakistani students Should Study in Bulgaria
It is true that Bulgaria is a small country but at the same time, it offers big opportunities not only to the local citizens but foreigners too. One of the most interactive thing about Bulgaria is the weather conditions which persuades everyone to visit Bulgaria. But at the same time, another mentionable benefit about Bulgaria is the higher education system of Bulgaria.
If you are not so familiar with the qualities of the education system then following are the reasons will be enough to inform you that Bulgaria can be the best study abroad destination for you.
High-Quality Education
The higher education system of Bulgaria is not less than wonders. The country is well-known in offering medical studies across Europe. The Sofia Medical University and the Plovdiv Medical University are the best names in this matter. No doubt, these universities and other related contributed a lot to make Bulgaria the best study abroad destination.
Growing Rate of International Students
12,916 international students were calculated during the study session of 2015/16. Every year the rate increases and, in 2018, the rate of international students has increased until 13.5%.
Worldwide Recognized Universities
Sofia University is the well-known name and we have already explained that it is contributing well to make the higher education system of Bulgaria familiar throughout the world.
University
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Times Higher Education Ranking 2021
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QS Ranking
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Global Ranking
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Sofia University
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1001
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801
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723
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Entrance Requirements Are Lower
If we see the top-ranked universities in Europe, for instance, universities from the UK or other developed countries, we see international student even national students get admission after beating the heavy competition. But, Bulgarian universities offer admission with low entrance requirements. Sofia University every year accepts up to 700 admission application from international candidates.
Lower Expenses of Study and Living
Bulgaria also offers the study programs as well as living style in a reasonable or affordable range of cost. 8,000 EURs is the annual tuition fee which is apparently affordable than other European destinations. 05 EURs are enough to get a delicious dinner in Bulgaria.
Great Weather Conditions
While living in Bulgaria you can enjoy the good weather conditions. Moreover, there are wonders like Vitosha Mountain, Rhodope Mountain, and Stara Planina are the charms of the country.
Bulgaria also offer the scholarships to the international students for higher studies.
Admission in Bulgarian Universities for Pakistani Students
After deciding the destination the very next chapter of study abroad book is to read about the admission requirements from the universities of your chosen destination. The requirements of admission vary from destination to destination. Moreover, requirements may also vary from program to program or study level to study level even in the same or single destination.
However, for the students who are looking for admission requirements for Bulgarian universities here a complete detail, we have grabbed. Students can find the complete guide that how to apply for admission and at the same time they can check the admission requirement for every single category i.e. bachelor degree, master degree, and Ph.D. degree.
How to apply Safe Admission Application?
Following steps will make you able to lead a successful or secure process to apply admission application:
Step1: First of all chose the right program for you. The subject is any but it should be according to your taste or interest and at the same time, you have the ability to cover your selected subject.
Step2: Now, choose the best institute according to your selected subject. There is a number of universities exist. So, you can find the best one.
Step3: Check the complete requirement of your selected institute and gather the required documents and then apply. Before going to apply to make it sure that you are completely meeting with the requirements.
Following Are The Requirements To Apply For Admission:
Bachelor Admission Requirements
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Master Admission Requirements
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Ph.D. Admission Requirements
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A duly filled application form of selected university
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Duly filled and signed the application form of your selected university
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A completely filled and signed admission application form of your selected institute
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Higher secondary school certificate or diploma with at least 62% marks
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Bachelor or undergraduate degree equivalent to 16 years of education with required GPA or grades (72% marks are required in Bachelor degree)
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Master degree or degree equivalent to 18 years of education is required
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Bachelor or undergraduate degree equivalent to 16 years of education with required GPA or grades (72% marks are required in Bachelor degree)
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All the previous transcripts or result cards
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Recent photographs
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Your master degree must be according to the Bulgarian grading system. According to this system master degree with 06 grades is required for the Ph.D. program
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Valid travel and identity documents
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Valid identity or travel documents i.e. passport and ID card
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All the previously issued transcripts are required
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Recent photographs
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Medical clearance certificate is necessary
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Recent photographs
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Language proficiency test i.e. IELTS or TOEFL
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English language proficiency test i.e. IELTS or TOEFL with requir4ed bands or scores
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A medical Clearance certificate is required
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Medical Clearance certificate
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Proof of financial stability to bear the study and living expenditure for study and living in Bulgaria
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English Language proficiency is required. Applicants have to show a certificate i.e. IELTS or TOEFL wit required bands or scores
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Financial statement to show your ability to bear the study and living expenses
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Valid travel and identity documents
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Proof of financial stability to bear the study and living expenditure for study and living in Bulgaria
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Academic Calendar
The academic calendar may vary from university to university or program to program. But following is the general academic calendar has shown by the Bulgarian Universities:
Session
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Duration
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Summer Semester/Session
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Summer semester/session runs from February to July
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Winter Semester/Session
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Winter semester/session runs from September to February
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These are the academies sessions for bachelor and master degree programs. For Ph.D. the academic calendar is different. However, students have to contact with the selected university for academic calendar or admission deadlines.
Estimated Study and Living Cost in Bulgaria
What do you imagine? A study abroad journey is an easy deal or a difficult task to cover? Obviously, it is not an easy deal. Especially, when it comes to taking your study abroad destination out of Asia, for instance, within Europe then it is the big challenging task for the Pakistani students. Well, once, you have decided they do not think too much. Instead of this make potential efforts to turn your dreams into a destination.
Here in this section, we have provided a complete assessment of your study and living cost that you will face while studying and living in Bulgaria.
Study Cost
Following steps will say you how much cost of your study will be for Bulgaria:
Previous Academic Degrees: Obviously, for every single educational level you have to show a previous academic degree with required numbers or scores. For bachelor degree a higher secondary school diploma is required, for master degree, a bachelor degree is required and for Ph.D. a master degree is required. Applicants have to pay thousands of rupees in earning these previous academic degrees within required scores.
Language Proficiency Test Language Proficiency Test
For language proficiency preparation applicants pay around 10,000 PKR to the institutes. When you appeared for examination i.e. IELTS you have to pay around 30,000 PKR.
Application Process
For a single university admission application, the processing fee ranges from 20,000 to 30,000.
Travel Documents
Applicants have to collect the travel documents and for this purpose, they arrange passport, air tickets, and some other documents. 5,400 PKR is the normal Pakistani passport charges. The charges of air ticket vary from airline to airline.
Visa Fee
A D-Type visa and residence permit are required for having long term stay to complete the full-time or regular studies in Bulgaria. 100 EURs is the fee of D-Type Visa. 230 EURs are required to apply for a residence permit.
Tuition Fee
Following is the structure of tuition fee in Bulgaria:
Study Program
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Fee Structure
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Bachelor Tuition Fee:
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Tuition Fee ranges from 2,900 EUR to 3,900 EURs
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Master Tuition Fee:
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Tuition Fee ranges from 3,000 EUR to 3,900 EURs
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Ph.D. Tuition Fee:
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Tuition Fee ranges from 4,000 EUR to 8,000 EUR
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Living Cost
We hope that you can easily assess your study cost through the above-mentioned assessment. Another biggest challenge after study cost is to cover the living cost. Following is the structure comprises of the basic things required to have a normal lifestyle in Bulgaria:
Items
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Costs
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Accommodation (Students Hall)
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35 Euros to 100 Euros per month
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Accommodation
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100 Euros to 300 Euros per month
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Utility Bills
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80 to Euros 100 EURs per month
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Food
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Around 500 EURs per month
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Transport
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Around 100 EURs per Month
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Clothing
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Pair of Jeans: From 40 EURs to 45 EURs
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Pair of Shoes: From 60 EURs to 65 EURs
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Summer Dress: From 20 EURs to 25 EURs
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Entertainment
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50 to 100 EURs per month
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How To Get Bulgarian Student Visa
Before going to start this section we are taking a review on the back stages. We have become familiar with the admission process and we also have accessed the study and living costs or expenditures. One, students have applied for their admission they are asked to wait until university take any action. In case, your application approved for admission then you will be provided with an acceptance letter or confirmation letter.
On behalf of this confirmation, letter students apply for a student visa. This is because the Non-EU citizen especially Pakistani citizens require a visa for obtaining entrance permission into Bulgaria.
Types of Student Visa
For study purposes, international students or Non-EU students especially Pakistani students require a D-Type visa. This visa allows the students to get long term stay in Bulgaria. This visa shows the validity of up to six months.
Residence Permit
After arriving into Bulgaria international students are asked to apply for a residence permit. This residence permit will make your stay sure in Bulgaria. After completing the final registration into the university students are called to apply for a residence permit.
This permit is valid for at least 01 year and students have to extend this permit if they need to stay longer than one year. However, until the completion of their studies students are allowed to extend this residence permit.
Documents Required for Bulgaria Student Visa
During submitting the application students are required to show the following supporting documents:
Application Form: A completely filled and signed application form for a visa is required.
Acceptance Letter: An official and valid acceptance letter from a recognized Bulgarian University
Documents of Identity: National Identity Card or recent photographs with a size of 3.5 cm ? 4.5 cm against a white background are required.
Valid travel Document: Passport with the validity of at least 06 months is required
Medical Insurance: In some cases, the proof of medical insurance is necessary to submit along with the visa application form
Bank Statement: Documents with the proof of paid tuition fee are required. The documents of the paid fee must show the name of students
Previous Traveling History: Applicants who have traveled previously in the UK, USA or in Schengen areas are asked to show their travel history at the time of visa application submission.
Underage Students Requirement: For underage students (less than 18 years) following requirements may come to see:
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They have to submit their birth certificate
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By parents or trustees certificate of Power of Attorney which will show that students have got the travel permission from the authorities or parents.
After Arrival: Once, you will arrive at Bulgaria you will be called to the Police station for registration. On behalf of this police registration or verification, you will be allowed to apply for an ID card or residence permit for making your stay sure in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria Application Process Duration:
Applicants are to be recommended to submit a complete application. A complete visa application takes fourteen 14 to thirty 30 days to process the visa. In case of insufficient information or incomplete application, the embassy will contact you and this can cause a delay into your visa process.
After reaching Bulgaria students will apply for Residence permit and this may take 14 days to process your residence permit.
Visa Fee of Bulgaria
D-Type Visa: D-Type visa charges 100 EURs.
Residence Permit: Students are required to pay 230 EURs for a residence permit. However, additional charges including application fee 5 EURs and ID card fee 22.5 EURs will also be charged from students
Living and Accommodation Options in Bulgaria
Arrange accommodation is another challenge international students look after plan their study and living budget for study abroad journey. For living a good and healthy lifestyle all the basic components are required to obtain wherever you are living. From the world’s top-rated countries for study and other European countries, we have considered that Bulgaria is a reasonably affordable one. So, students are to inform that within affordable price ranges they can arrange their accommodation.
As compared to other western countries students pay one-third of the amount in arranging their accommodation. What are the types or modes of living in Bulgaria you can get and what are the best and ideal situations? All you can find through the below-given discussion. Moreover, students are also provided with the best and secure ways to find the best and quick accommodation as living in Bulgaria.
Types of Accommodation
There are both modes of living are available for students including on-campus accommodation option and off-campus accommodation option. Following is further detail for them:
On-Campus Accommodation
Actually, international students are new in a foreign country. They are not so familiar with the living style and accommodation trends. So, for them, the ideal situation is to live inside the campus. Students halls of residence and students dormitories are the best and common options of on-campus accommodation. Students are provided with separate rooms and joint rooms or shared rooms inside the campus. They can easily join the best option for them. The costs of accommodation students pay according to the availabilities of accommodation.
On-campus accommodation is cheap enough that students are asked to pay from 70 EURs to 100 EURs per month for living in a suitable place of living.
Benefits of On-Campus Accommodation
Here we also described the benefits that students can avail while living inside the campus:
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Students are provided with accommodation inside or near their campus. Under this situation, they can save both time and money.
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On-campus modes of accommodation and safe and secure.
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Students can get easy access to restaurants or cafeterias. Sometimes, students are provided with the facility of fresh meal in their rooms.
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Better facilities for electricity, furniture, and the internet, etc. are provided to the students.
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As living inside the campus students can join various recreational and volunteer activities.
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While living inside the campus students can get better learning and career opportunities by having interactions with their senior students and teachers.
Off-Campus Accommodation
Well, there are some students who do not want to live inside the campus and they also want to explore the country or city where they are living. For those students, many off-campus accommodation options are available in Bulgaria. Following are the common and best.
Living With Friends Or Family
If your family members or friends are already living there in Bulgaria then this is the ideal case for you to live with them. In this way, you can easily explore the country and you can also keep yourself away from homesickness.
Paying Guest
Bulgarian people are so friendly and of loving nature. They allow foreigners to live with them as paying guest.
Private Apartments
Private apartments are available in almost all the cities of Bulgaria. These are, somehow, costly (from 150 EURs to 300 EURs) but these provide the complete privacy to the students.
Shared Rooms
Shared rooms another option for the students. They can live with their classmates and seniors students by sharing rooms with them.
Jobs In Bulgaria For International Students During Study Jobs Opportunities
Are Student Allow to Get Job While Studying In Bulgaria?
Almost in every single situation, we find Bulgaria friendly to international students. The idea of this thing you can take from the fact that it also allows international students to do part-time jobs to finance their study and living style. Actually, international student especially Pakistani students need financial assistance to make their study and living style comforted.
Part Time Jobs
International students including Pakistani students are allowed to work for less than 30 hours a week. But, after going through some hardships students are provided with art time employment opportunities. Actually, the concept is that students go abroad for study purposes that’s why they are asked to meet with the study requirements first and then involve in other activities.
For obtaining part-time job opportunity students are asked to show an employment contract from an employer or company or they have to get permission from the institutes where they are studying. Students who are fulfilling their study requirements are generally allowed to get involvement in working activities.
Part-Time Internship
Students who want to get practical skills during their study programs are also provided with the possible facilities. For this purpose, students are allowed to get involvement in internship programs or volunteer programs.
Benefits of Part-Time Job And Internship
Following are the benefits of getting part-time jobs and internship while living or studying there in Bulgaria:
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In order to meet with your study and additional living expenses part-time jobs are considered as the best options
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To avoid yourself from nostalgia part-time jobs play a vital role
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Part-time jobs are also the ways considered for obtaining work experience during your studies
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You can make good relations with the local Bulgarian people through this part-time employment which can lead you towards good career success
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You can get a good and exceptional communication level through part-time jobs
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Internship programs offer you good and essential practical skills according to your studies
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You can create a good trust with the companies and employers which can lead you towards a better career
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You can broaden the ways of full-time employment after your studies through internship programs
Types of Students Jobs In Bulgaria
Following are the common types of part-time jobs:
How to Get Jobs While Studying in Bulgaria?
After Study Jobs Opportunities
Once, you have completed your studies from Bulgaria then many opportunities are waiting to embrace you. But, the international students including Pakistani students who do not belong to EU/EEA or Swiss areas require a work permit to obtain working opportunities in Bulgaria.
Who Is Eligible To Apply For?
Under the following categories applicants can apply for a Bulgarian work permit:
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Employee
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Self Employed
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Commissioned Work
Required Documents to apply for Work Permit
Following are the required documents to apply for a Bulgarian work permit:
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A valid employment contract letter
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Valid travel documents
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Detail of previous trips in Bulgaria
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Recent photographs
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Proof of good health
Benefits of Work Permit
Following are the benefits of Bulgarian work permit:
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Work independently in Bulgaria
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Valid for at least one year
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It is extendable
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It can lead you towards permanent residence PR
PR & Citizenship
Permanent Residence
Permanent is the status which allows you to live and work independently in a country of which you are not native or born there. Bulgaria also offers permanent residency to the foreign nationals. Here you will find how many types of permanent residence exist for Bulgaria? What are the requirements to be eligible for permanent residence?
These are not enough, however, you are also to be provided with the complete detail that how these types of permanent residence can lead you towards citizenship and what benefits you can avail after getting Bulgarian citizenship.
Types of Permanent Residence
Following are the types of permanent residency for Bulgaria:
Permanent Residence through Investment
One of the quick ways to get Bulgarian permanent residence is to get it through investment. You can eligible for this option if you are willing to deposit state-granted and fully refundable investment of 512000 EURs.
If the applicants are going to purchase the government bonds of the same amount then they are also allowed to apply for permanent residency of Bulgaria.
Permanent Residence through Prolonged Stay
Applicants who cannot invest this heavy amount to Bulgaria but still have the wish to apply for permanent residence of Bulgaria they are provided with another way.
If the candidates are legally residing in Bulgaria through temporary pass or residence from the last five years then they claim for the permanent residency of Bulgaria.
Permanent Residence through Origin
If you are living anywhere in the world but your origin is Bulgaria then you can claim the permanent residency if you have a confirmation or legal proof of your origin.
Aspirants can travel on D-Type visa and before 02 months of the expiration date of D-Type visa applicants will apply for permanent residency.
Benefits Of Permanent Residency Of Bulgaria
Following are the benefits you can avail after getting permanent residency of Bulgaria:
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Holders of permanent residency can live independently in Bulgaria and apply for any work without a work permit.
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Your status of permanent residency allows you to bring your child and spouse to Bulgaria
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This permanent residency status allows the applicants to visit across Europe without a visa
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The facilities of free medical and free education you can avail through this permanent residency status
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On behalf of this permanent residency, you can apply for citizenship after a certain interval
Citizenship
International applicants who are residing with permanent residency status in Bulgaria can also apply for Bulgarian citizenship.
What are the Requirements to Apply for Bulgarian Citizenship?
Applicants must follow the below-mentioned requirements to be eligible for Bulgarian citizenship:
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You must be older than 18 years of age
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You must hold the status of permanent residency of Bulgaria
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You must show your permanent residency for the past five years in Bulgaria with valid residency address presently
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You must not be involved in any criminal activity throughout your stay in Bulgaria
Benefits of Bulgarian Citizenship
Once you have got Bulgarian citizenship you can avail the following benefits:
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All the rights of free education, free medical, employment, and other aspects of citizenship status offers you
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Through your citizenship status, you can claim for your own land in any country of the European Union
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You can move throughout Europe and even other countries of the world without a visa
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You can cast your vote and can also get involvement in any social or political affair