A foreign national with lawful residence in Bulgaria may request family reunification. The procedure allows close relatives to settle in the country with a status linked to that of the main applicant.
Who may apply
The main applicant must hold a Bulgarian residence permit for a period of at least one year. "Family members" within the meaning of the law are the spouse and children under 18 who are not married — including adopted children.
The procedure in outline
The procedure has three main stages:
- the main applicant files an application for family reunification with the Migration Directorate — on their own, without the family being present;
- after a positive decision, the family members apply for a Visa D at the Bulgarian embassy in their place of permanent residence, under a facilitated regime;
- after arrival in Bulgaria, an application is filed for a residence permit that follows the status of the main applicant.
Documents required
In addition to the family's passport copies, the procedure requires proof of accommodation in Bulgaria (a lease together with a notarised declaration from the landlord), a bank reference for sufficient means of subsistence, declarations from the main applicant and the spouse, marriage and birth certificates (translated and legalised) and criminal record certificates.
Timing
The decision on the family reunification application is taken within one month. Visas D for family members are issued under a facilitated regime, and the residence permits follow after arrival in Bulgaria.
What to keep in mind
The application requires strict notarial form for declarations and strict compliance with the form of documents issued abroad (apostille, certified translation). Where there are discrepancies, the procedure may be substantially delayed.
How we can help
We coordinate the whole process — between the main applicant here, the family abroad, the embassy and the Migration Directorate. Contact us for an assessment of your specific case.
Note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Legislation changes over time — for current, binding guidance on your case, please contact us.