Home/from/Bulgaria/to/China
2026 visa changes — what's new2026 visa policy changes: what's different this year
🇧🇬Bulgaria
🇨🇳ChinaBG-CN

Bulgaria to China visa requirements

Bulgarian ordinary passport holders can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for eligible short-term purposes. China's unilateral policy for Bulgaria is extended through 24:00 on 31 Dec 2026. As of 2026-06-21, holders of Bulgarian ordinary passports may enter mainland China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, exchange visits, or transit for no more than 30 days. The Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria states that China extended the unilateral visa-exemption policy for Bulgaria and other listed countries until 24:00 on 31 December 2026, and the National Immigration Administration lists Bulgaria among covered European countries. No advance embassy declaration is required, but border inspection can examine the purpose of stay and may ask for supporting documents such as invitation letters, air tickets and accommodation reservations. The official FAQ says an ordinary passport valid at least for the intended stay is required; 6 months of remaining validity and blank visa pages are still prudent for airline checks or if a regular visa becomes necessary. Work, study, journalism and stays beyond 30 days are outside the waiver and require the appropriate Chinese visa. If staying outside a hotel, the visitor or host must complete accommodation registration with local public security within 24 hours.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-21
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-21
Visa type
Visa-free entry (no application)
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple short visits allowed
from issue date
Visa fee
Free
consular fee only
Processing time
None - entry on arrival
standard track
Validity
Unilateral policy extended through 24:00 on 31 Dec 2026
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport and trip purpose
Use a Bulgarian ordinary passport valid at least for the intended stay. The visa waiver covers business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, exchange visits and transit only.
· Ordinary passport· Eligible purpose
/02
Keep the stay within 30 days
Plan departure no later than the 30th calendar day of stay. For longer stays, work, study, journalism or other non-covered purposes, apply for the proper Chinese visa before travel.
· 30 days· No work/study
/03
Prepare border evidence
Carry return or onward travel, hotel booking or host details, invitation documents if relevant, and funds evidence. Border officers may ask for documents matching your stated purpose.
· Return ticket· Accommodation
/04
Enter China visa-free
No embassy declaration or pre-application is required for eligible Bulgarian travelers. Present the passport at a port open to foreign nationals and clear border inspection.
· No application· Border inspection
/05
Complete accommodation registration
Hotels submit registration information for foreign guests. If staying in a private home or other non-hotel lodging, you or the host must register with local public security within 24 hours.
· Hotel registration· 24 hours
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

9 items
Personalized checklist
Bulgaria -> China · Visa-free entry (no application)
0 / 9 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredBulgarian ordinary passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Required; valid at least for the intended stay
Required30-day maximum stay
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Required for visa-free entry
RequiredEligible purpose: business, tourism, family/friend visit, exchange or transit
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Required
RecommendedReturn or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Recommended border evidence
RecommendedHotel booking, host address or invitation letter
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Recommended border evidence
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Recommended
RequiredAccommodation registration after arrival
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Required; hotel handles it, private stays register within 24 hours
ConditionalOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
Application link included: Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria - Extension of unilateral visa exemption (2025-11-04)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryFreeNo visa fee or pre-application for eligible stays up to 30 days
Regular Chinese visa, if neededEUR 45Chinese Embassy fee table for Bulgarian and most Schengen-country citizens under regular service
Express service, if availableEUR 22 extraAdditional fee listed by the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria
Private-lodging registration penaltyUp to CNY 2,000Possible fine for failing to register non-hotel accommodation as required
Total estimateFreeFreeincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Regular Chinese visa
About 5 working days
Apply through the Chinese Embassy online visa system if staying over 30 days or traveling for a non-waiver purpose.
Express visa service
2-3 working days
Available in some cases with an additional embassy fee.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Stay exceeds 30 days
The unilateral waiver is limited to 30 days. Longer trips require an appropriate visa or, after entry for sufficient reasons, a stay-permit application with public security.
Low
/02
Purpose is outside the waiver
Work, study, journalism and similar purposes are not covered by the visa-free policy.
Low
/03
Border evidence is weak
Border inspection may examine purpose and supporting documents such as invitations, tickets and accommodation reservations.
Low
/04
Accommodation registration missed
Hotels register foreign guests; private lodging must be registered with local public security within 24 hours.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Use the foreign visitor lanes, keep hotel or invitation details handy, and make sure your entry purpose matches the visa-free category.
/02
Registration
Hotels normally register foreign guests automatically. If staying in a private residence, complete temporary residence registration with local police within 24 hours.
/03
Connectivity
Install maps, translation, and payment apps before travel. Some foreign services may not work reliably without roaming or a compliant VPN.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-21
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-21
Codex checked official China visa-free sources
Rechecked the Bulgaria-to-China route against the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, China's National Immigration Administration and Bulgaria MFA. Visa-free 30-day status remains correct; refreshed checked-date, source chain, passport-validity wording, fee table and accommodation-registration guidance.
2026-05-27
Bulgaria to China route verified
Confirmed visa-free 30 days, policy extended through 31 Dec 2026.
2025-11-04 · major
Visa-free policy extended
The Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria announced that China extended the unilateral 30-day visa-free policy for Bulgaria and other listed countries through 31 December 2026.
2024-11-30 · major
Bulgaria added to visa-free list
Bulgaria added in late November 2024 batch.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Bulgarians need a visa for China?
No for eligible short stays. Bulgarian ordinary passport holders may enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, exchange visits or transit through 31 December 2026.
Can I stay over 30 days?+
Can I work on the visa-free entry?+
Do I need a return ticket?+
How valid must my passport be?+
Do I need to register my accommodation?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Bulgaria passport

See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.