Prolonged Residence Status
The permit for prolonged residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria is issued for a period of up to 1 year and it may be renewed.
The conditions, procedure and legal grounds for obtaining the prolonged residence status are exhaustively listed in Article 24 (1) of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, such as the following cases:
- Foreigners who have made investments in trade companies registered under the Bulgarian laws;
- Employment of posted workers and employees who provide specific services;
- Foreigners who carry out commercial, freelance or non-profit activities in the country;
- Representatives of a foreign commercial company with a Trade Representative Office registered by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI);
- Financially secured parents of a Bulgarian citizen;
- Foreigners for long-term medical treatment in a medical institution;
- Foreign media correspondents;
- Family members of a foreigner who has received a long-term or permanent residence permit, as well as a foreigner who has received international protection, etc.
The Prolonged Residence Permit procedure is carried out before the „Migration“ Directorate of the Ministry of Interior (MoI). The documents are reviewed and approved by the Directorate. The permit contains a favourable written opinion provided by the State Agency for National Security (SANS). The application procedure rules and the required documents for issuing Prolonged Residence Permit are set out in Art. 12 – 33 of the Regulations for Application of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act.
The application should be submitted together with documents such as: a regular travel document abroad/ passport with a validity of at least 6 months from the date of submission of the application, a criminal record certificate, the availability of funds for accommodation and maintenance during the stay, etc.
Any refusal to issue permit may be appealed under the rules of the Bulgarian Administrative Procedure Code.