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China to Bulgaria visa requirements

Chinese ordinary passport holders need a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa to visit Bulgaria for tourism. Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025. Bulgaria fully joined the Schengen Area on 1 January 2025 (air and sea borders opened 31 March 2024; land borders 1 January 2025). Chinese ordinary passport holders are NOT visa-exempt for Schengen and must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before travel. The visa permits a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area (one shared 90/180 clock). Applications in China are submitted through VFS Global visa application centres (Beijing and Shanghai jurisdictions) or the Bulgarian Embassy by appointment. The visa fee is EUR 90 plus a VFS service fee of about EUR 27. Standard processing is 15 calendar days, extendable to 30-45 days. ETIAS does NOT apply to Chinese nationals because it is only for visa-exempt travellers; Chinese citizens continue to need a full visa even after ETIAS launches (expected Q4 2026). Mandatory travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 is required.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Single, double or multiple entry
from issue date
Visa fee
EUR 90 + ~EUR 27 VFS service fee
consular fee only
Processing time
15 calendar days (up to 30-45 if extended)
standard track
Validity
Up to 5 years (stay still capped at 90/180)
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm visa type and jurisdiction
For tourism, apply for a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa. Determine whether you fall under the Beijing or Shanghai consular jurisdiction based on your place of residence.
· Type C· Tourism
/02
Book an appointment at VFS Global
Schedule an appointment online at a VFS Global Bulgaria visa application centre (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and others) or at the Embassy. Apply 15 days to 6 months before departure.
· VFS Global· 15 days-6 months ahead
/03
Prepare your documents
Complete and sign the Schengen application form, and gather passport, photo, travel insurance, flight and hotel bookings, and proof of funds and employment.
· Application form· Supporting docs
/04
Submit application and biometrics
Attend your appointment in person, submit documents, pay the visa and service fees, and provide fingerprints and a photo (biometrics).
· In person· Biometrics
/05
Wait for processing
Standard processing is about 15 calendar days from submission; allow up to 30-45 days in case additional checks are required.
· ~15 days
/06
Collect passport and travel
Retrieve your passport with the visa from the centre or by courier. Verify visa dates and entry conditions before travelling, and observe the 90/180 rule.
· Collect· Check dates
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
China -> Bulgaria · Schengen short-stay visa (Type C)
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid 3+ months beyond departure, issued within last 10 years, 2 blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted and signed Schengen visa application form
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredOne recent passport photo (35mm x 45mm, within 6 months)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredTravel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage for the whole Schengen area
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredRound-trip flight reservation / itinerary
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredConfirmed hotel bookings or accommodation proof for entire stay
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of sufficient funds (bank statements, last 3-6 months)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RecommendedProof of employment / business license / no-objection letter
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedHukou (household register) copy and ID card copy
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedCover letter explaining purpose and itinerary of the trip
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
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.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesBulgaria MFA — Embassy in China, Short-term visasVFS Global — Bulgaria Visa Information (China)European Commission — Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen Area
Application link included: Bulgaria MFA — Embassy in China, Short-term visas
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen visa fee (adult)EUR 90Standard fee since 11 June 2024; children 6-11 pay EUR 45
VFS Global service fee~EUR 27Charged per applicant by the visa application centre
Travel medical insurance~EUR 30-60Mandatory; minimum EUR 30,000 coverage
Optional courier / value-added services~EUR 5-20Optional passport return delivery, SMS, photocopy services
Total estimateEUR 117 — EUR 197incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard processing
15 calendar days
Normal Schengen processing from the submission date; recommended for most tourists.
Extended review
30-45 days
Applies when additional documents or deeper assessment are required; not optional.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Bulgaria is a full Schengen member
Since 1 January 2025 Bulgaria applies the full Schengen acquis, so Chinese nationals need a Schengen visa rather than a national visa.
High
/02
China is not on the Schengen visa-exempt list
Ordinary Chinese passport holders must obtain a visa for any Schengen country before travel.
High
/03
ETIAS does not replace the visa for Chinese citizens
ETIAS only covers visa-exempt nationalities; Chinese travellers still need a full Schengen visa even after ETIAS launches.
Medium
/04
90/180 day limit applies area-wide
The stay is capped at 90 days in any 180-day period across all 29 Schengen countries combined.
Medium
/05
Mandatory travel medical insurance
Applicants must show insurance of at least EUR 30,000 covering the entire Schengen area, or the application is refused.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
China to Bulgaria route verified
Confirmed via Bulgaria MFA, VFS Global and the European Commission that Bulgaria is a full Schengen member (since 1 Jan 2025) and that Chinese ordinary passport holders still require a Schengen short-stay visa (EUR 90); ETIAS does not apply to visa-required nationals.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Bulgaria?—
Yes. Holders of ordinary Chinese passports need a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa to enter Bulgaria for tourism. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival option.
Is Bulgaria part of the Schengen Area?+
Does ETIAS let Chinese travellers skip the visa?+
How long can I stay on a Bulgaria Schengen visa?+
How much does the visa cost and how long does it take?+
Where do I apply in China?+
/11 — Passport tools

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