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🇻🇳Vietnam
🇧🇬BulgariaVN-BG

Vietnam to Bulgaria visa requirements

Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a Schengen Type C short-stay visa to visit Bulgaria for tourism. Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025, so you apply for a uniform Schengen visa (valid across all 29 Schengen states) and the 90-days-in-any-180-days rule applies. Bulgaria has been a full member of the Schengen Area since 1 January 2025 (air and sea controls lifted in March 2024, land borders in January 2025), so it issues uniform Schengen visas rather than national visas for short stays. Vietnam is listed in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806, meaning Vietnamese citizens require a visa to enter the Schengen Area. An ordinary-passport holder traveling for tourism must therefore obtain a Schengen Type C short-stay visa before departure. The visa permits stays of up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Applications for Bulgaria are handled through VFS Global centres in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (or the Bulgarian Embassy/consular section). The standard visa fee is EUR 90 for adults, plus a VFS Global service fee. ETIAS does NOT apply to Vietnamese nationals because ETIAS is only for visa-exempt travellers, and in any case it is not expected to be operational until late 2026/2027. There is no visa-on-arrival or eVisa channel for Vietnamese tourists to Bulgaria, so a visa must be secured in advance.
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 Type C short-stay visa (uniform visa)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Single, double or multiple (as granted on the sticker)
from issue date
Visa fee
EUR 90 (adult); EUR 45 (children 6-11); free under 6 — plus VFS service fee
consular fee only
Processing time
15 calendar days standard; up to 45 days in peak periods
standard track
Validity
Travel dates as endorsed; can be issued for up to 5 years for frequent travellers
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm visa type and route
Bulgaria is in Schengen since 1 Jan 2025; as a Vietnamese ordinary passport holder you need a Schengen Type C tourist visa. Bulgaria must be your main destination (or first point of entry) to apply at its mission.
· Type C· Tourism
/02
Book an appointment
Create an account and book an appointment at the VFS Global centre in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, or the Bulgarian consular section. Slots fill fast in peak season.
· VFS Global· Hanoi / HCMC
/03
Prepare your documents
Assemble passport, photos, travel medical insurance (min. EUR 30,000), confirmed flights, hotel bookings, proof of funds and employment, and the completed application form.
· Insurance EUR 30,000
/04
Pay fees and submit biometrics
Pay the EUR 90 visa fee plus VFS service fee, attend in person to give fingerprints and a photo (biometrics), and submit your file.
· Biometrics· EUR 90 + service fee
/05
Wait for processing
Standard processing is 15 calendar days but can extend to 30-45 days. Apply at least 3 weeks (ideally 1-2 months) before travel.
· 15-45 days
/06
Collect passport and travel
Retrieve your passport with the visa sticker, verify the dates and number of entries, then travel within the validity respecting the 90/180 rule.
· Check sticker
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
Vietnam -> Bulgaria · Schengen Type C short-stay visa (uniform visa)
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredVietnamese passport valid at least 3 months beyond intended departure, issued within last 10 years, with 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
RequiredTwo recent biometric passport photos (35x45mm, white background)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredTravel medical insurance covering min. EUR 30,000 valid across Schengen
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredRound-trip flight reservation showing entry and exit
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredHotel bookings or accommodation proof for the full stay
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of sufficient funds (bank statements, typically last 3-6 months)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RecommendedProof of employment / business registration / study enrolment
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedDay-by-day travel itinerary
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedCover letter explaining purpose and duration of the trip
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
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 sourcesEuropean Commission — Schengen Visa Policy (Annex I, Regulation 2018/1806)VFS Global — Bulgaria visa information for VietnamBulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa for Bulgaria
Application link included: European Commission — Schengen Visa Policy (Annex I, Regulation 2018/1806)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen visa fee (adult)EUR 90Standard short-stay Type C fee; paid in VND equivalent
Schengen visa fee (child 6-11)EUR 45Children under 6 are exempt
VFS Global service feeapprox. VND 245,000-700,000Per application; varies, charged in addition to the visa fee
Travel medical insurancefrom approx. VND 300,000Mandatory, min. EUR 30,000 coverage; varies by duration
Total estimateEUR 90 + service fee (approx. VND 245,000) — EUR 90 + service & insurance fees (approx. VND 1,000,000+)incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard processing
15 calendar days
Normal turnaround once the complete file and biometrics are submitted; apply at least 3 weeks ahead.
Peak-season / extended
30-45 calendar days
During busy travel periods or when additional documents/checks are needed. Apply 1-2 months in advance.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Vietnam is a visa-required nationality for Schengen
Vietnam appears in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806, so its nationals must hold a visa to enter the Schengen Area.
High
/02
Bulgaria is a full Schengen member
Bulgaria joined Schengen fully on 1 January 2025, so it issues uniform Schengen visas, not separate national tourist visas.
High
/03
No visa-on-arrival or eVisa for tourists
There is no VOA or electronic tourist visa channel for Vietnamese citizens; the visa must be obtained in advance.
High
/04
ETIAS does not apply to Vietnam
ETIAS covers only visa-exempt nationalities; visa-required Vietnamese travellers use the Schengen visa instead.
Medium
/05
90/180 short-stay limit
The Schengen visa permits a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period; overstaying triggers entry bans.
Medium
/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 · major
Vietnam to Bulgaria route verified
Confirmed Bulgaria full Schengen membership (from 1 Jan 2025) and that Vietnamese ordinary passport holders require a Schengen Type C short-stay visa; ETIAS not applicable. Verified against EU Commission visa policy, VFS Global and Bulgarian MFA sources.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Vietnamese citizens need a visa for Bulgaria?—
Yes. Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a Schengen Type C short-stay visa, obtained before travel. Bulgaria has been a full Schengen member since 1 January 2025.
Can I use a Bulgarian Schengen visa to visit other EU countries?+
Is there a visa on arrival or eVisa for Bulgaria?+
Does ETIAS apply to Vietnamese travellers?+
How long can I stay in Bulgaria on a short-stay visa?+
Where do I apply in Vietnam?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Vietnam passport

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