Hi all,

for a long time I, (UK) have hoped to travel across Europe with my Thai GF, and into Bulgaria where I have a home.

This has always meant that she would need to apply for 2 visas: a Schengen and a Bulgarian.

Last week I found this news on the Bulgarian Government's web-site, dated 25-01-12:

"Holders of Schengen visas will be able to visit and stay in Bulgaria without Bulgarian visas

Accepting a proposal by the Prime Minister, the Cabinet today decided that until the date of Bulgaria’s full accession to the Schengen zone, Bulgaria unilaterally will apply a visa-free system for holders of valid Schengen visas."

As it is a recent announcement, I am not sure if anyone would know yet, but my question is: would my GF be stamped in/out at the border?

Our plan is as follows:

We would apply for a Schengen visa at the Belgium embassy with a letter of invitation from my brother (UK) and his partner (Begium) who live in Belgium.

After flying into Belgium, and a short stay with my brother, we would drive across Europe (Schengen countries) and into Bulgaria.

After a stay of 2 months at my home in Bulgaria, we would drive back to Belgium, and then fly back to Thailand.

My main concerns are that they could issue a visa for less than 3 months (my brother will state in the invitation his offer is as long as is needed), and also that if we needed more than a single entry, we would need to divulge other travel plans.

For simplicity reasons, Ideally the application will just state we will stay in Belgium for 3 months.

Thanks in advance.

I think you are right that nobody yet knows the answer to the question. My own feeling is that she will be stamped in and out of Bulgaria as Bulgaria is not yet accepted as Schengen area partner, even though they will now accept Schengen visas.

My other thoughts are that it is always better to tell the truth in visa applications, as getting caught out in a lie can result in lengthy bans from being able to apply in the future. I think you will need, at the least, a double entry visa. As you are probably aware, Schengen countries often issue only a single entry visa to first time applicants.

Thanks for your reply,

although it's not good news she is unlikely to get more than a single entry, because it would be her first visa.

I've just written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bulgaria hoping they can answer that question, which now seems very important if the trip can take place,

Hopefully they will reply by mail and I can print it and show it at the border (if they tell me there won't be a stamp).

If they don't reply, I'll have a Bulgarian friend call them and post the answer here for future reference.

If the reply is not favourable, we will have to go with Plan B: a single trip to Bulgaria and back.

Is it worth mentioning that Romania have followed suit, they also now accept the Schengen visa for entry. If a trip through Romania to Bulgaria happened, how could 2 countries stamp her in and out? She would need a 3 entry Schengen minimum.

I mean if we travelled from Schengen into Romania, and she was stamped out of Schengen, how could Bulgaria allow her in, even if she had multiple entries?

And then after we went back into Schengen?

Sorry, now it's got confusung.

Edited March 5, 201214 yr by johnlk

As I understand it, Bulgaria ( and presumably Romania) is accepting a Schengen visa in place of a Bulgarian visa. If so, and if the holder of a Bulgarian visa would be stamped in and out of Bulgaria, then she will be too. I honestly don't know, and maybe the Bulgarians and Romanians don't know either.

Why not just explain it all when the Belgian Schengen application goes in, and ask for two entries because you are also going to Bulgaria ?

The main reason is because of the extra documentation that would be needed.

I do have a company and a home in Bulgaria, but I do not have resident status, so maybe an invitation from me would not be adequate.

Furthermore, wouldn't the embassy need to see travel and accomodation reservations for the time between Belgium and Bulgaria?

We would be travelling in my motor-home, so it wouldn't be possible, hence the "simple" application and the "change of plans" after the visa was issued.

If it was mentioned in the application of a possibility of going to Bulgaria, in your experience, do you think they would grant a two or more entry?

Or, would her having a Bulgarian visa beforehand, already in her passport at the time of the Schengen application, help matters?

I don't know if it helps, or if it is clear from my posts, but we will be travelling together, and at all times.

There is a Plan C, but it involves marrying first. One of the reasons for this trip is to meet my family, and I would prefer them to meet her as my intended, not as my wife already.

The main reason is because of the extra documentation that would be needed.

I do have a company and a home in Bulgaria, but I do not have resident status, so maybe an invitation from me would not be adequate.

Furthermore, wouldn't the embassy need to see travel and accomodation reservations for the time between Belgium and Bulgaria?

We would be travelling in my motor-home, so it wouldn't be possible, hence the "simple" application and the "change of plans" after the visa was issued.

If it was mentioned in the application of a possibility of going to Bulgaria, in your experience, do you think they would grant a two or more entry?

Or, would her having a Bulgarian visa beforehand, already in her passport at the time of the Schengen application, help matters?

I don't know if it helps, or if it is clear from my posts, but we will be travelling together, and at all times.

There is a Plan C, but it involves marrying first. One of the reasons for this trip is to meet my family, and I would prefer them to meet her as my intended, not as my wife already.

You would probably have to show evidence of the two entries, or your reason for entering Schengen twice, which should be possible ? But, if she has a Bulgarian visa before you apply for the Schengen visa, and you explain why in a letter, then it should be obvious to the visa officer at Belgian Embassy that two entries will required

Thanks again for your help and suggestions, it's good to know the different options.

For now I will wait for an answer to my e.mail, and if nothing, I will have a friend call, but not until tomorrow.

I am in Bulgaria now, so I am even thinking of paying a visit to a border, or a trip to Sofia airport, just to get a first-hand answer.

I will post any findings here, just in case anyone ever needs the info

Well, no answer yet from the Bulgarian Ministry, and I haven't bothered to contact them by phone.

Since yesterday I have re-read some statements and it is a little clearer.

"Bulgaria unilaterally will apply a visa-free system for holders of valid Schengen visas"

Maybe it's irrelevent as she would still be stamped out at a neighbouring border, meaning she would still need more than a single entry.

Rather than changing travel plans, or applying for more than one visa, I'm now coming around to the idea of marrying first (which has pleased her).

Am I right in thinking she wouldn't even need a visa if we were married? I'm sure I've read that if we travel together just a marriage certificate would be suffice.