All inclusive guide to applying for a Vietnam visa for Bulgarian citizens
The Bulgarian nationality is not included in the visa exemption list; therefore, all Bulgarian passport holders need to apply visa to Vietnam for either tourism or business purposes.
Vietnam visa is required for all Bulgarian citizens;
Bulgarian citizens are eligible for maximum 90 days single or multiple entry e-visa;
Bulgarian citizens can get visa on arrival with a pre-arranged visa approval letter;
Bulgarian businessmen can apply for DN business visa for working with Vietnam Enterprises;
Bulgarian businessmen can apply for 2 years Temporary Residence Cards;
At present, there are 3 options for the Bulgarian citizens applying for Vietnam visa:
1. Apply for e-visa for Vietnam
This is new pilot visa system which has just official launched in February 2017. In order to apply for e-visa for Vietnam, the Bulgarian citizens will need to prepare a file of passport copy and recent taken photo. The e-visa fee (service fee and stamping fee) is paid once when the Bulgarian citizens apply for e-visa, thus no cash is required at arrival airport.
Vietnam e-visa is good for those who travel Vietnam less than 90 days with single or multiple entry. Since the visa fee is paid once when applying for visa, the travelers don’t have to bring cash for stamping fee at immigration counter therefore, the visa process at arrival airport is faster accordingly.
How to apply e-visa for Vietnam?
Step 1: Fill in the visa application form with required information.
Step 2: Pay the visa fee and get e-visa in maximum 3 – 5 working days (2 hours, 4 hours or 1 working day for a rush visa).
Step 3: Receive an email containing e-visa upon successful application. Please print out the e-visa, bring along with your passport to get on the plane.
Step 4: Present your e-visa at the immigration counter to get entry into Vietnam.
Things you should know when applying for Vietnam e-visa
When applying for e-visa for Vietnam, please note that:
- Payments for e-visa applications are non-refundable;
- The applicants should check the information on a granted e-visa against the passport to make sure there is no mistake;
- The processing time may take longer than 3 working days that probably affect to your flight time. You are strongly recommended to buy a flight ticket when you already received your e-visa;
- The applicants have to leave the country before applying for the next e-visa.
- While your visa application is being processed, you may receive a request for amending your visa information. In this case, the processing time will take more 3 – 5 working days after the revision is made. If you need to speed up the visa process to board your flight, we can help you with the rush Vietnam visa service. You just need to provide us with your visa registration number and email then your e-visa process will be accelerated and completed in time.
2. Apply online for a Vietnam visa on arrival
The Bulgarian passport holders can apply Vietnam visa on arrival from anywhere outside of Vietnam. The visa will be picked up upon arrival at the Vietnam airports by showing up the printed approval letter.
The visa approval letter can be arranged through a Vietnam visa agency within 3 working days (normal service), 8 working hours (rush service), 4 working hours (urgent service) or even 2 working hours (emergency service) depending on which option the applicants have chosen when submitting online application form. Vietnam visa on arrival is especially beneficial for those living far from the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate in Bulgaria.
By using Vietnam visa on arrival, the Bulgarian applicants do not need to wait too long to get the approval letter, an official document issued by Vietnam Immigration Department giving permission to get the visa upon arrival.
In order to get a Vietnam visa on arrival, the Bulgarian citizens should pay two types of fee: the processing fee and the stamping fee.
Processing fee: It is the fee for expediting visa approval letter processing.
Stamping fee: It is the fee paid in cash at the visa counter at the arrival airport for visa stamp. The applicants must prepare the processing fee in cash (USD or VND) as far as there is no ATM, money changer or any other way to withdraw money in the immigration hall and credit cards are not accepted. Other currencies will be converted into USD at given exchange rate.
Notes:
– Visa on arrival is only applicable for Bulgarian citizens traveling Vietnam by air.
3. Apply for Vietnam visa directly at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulates
For those who want to get a Vietnam visa beforehand or travel Vietnam by land or sea, they can go to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate nearest their location.
The address of Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Bulgaria for your information:
Embassy of Vietnam in Sofia, Bulgaria
Address: #1, Jetvarka St., Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
Phone: (359) 2963 2609
Fax: (359) 2963 3658
Email: vnemb.bg@mofa.gov.vn
