PassportRoute
China
BulgariaDo China Citizens Need a Visa for Bulgaria in 2026?
Chinese citizens require a Type C short-stay visa to visit Bulgaria for tourism. However, since Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area (by air and sea) in March 2024, holding a valid multiple-entry Schengen Visa also allows entry.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Determine Your Visa Need
If you have a valid multiple-entry Schengen Visa, you can travel to Bulgaria without a separate national visa. If not, you must apply for a Bulgarian Type C visa.
Submit Application at VFS
Book an appointment at a VFS Global center in China, submit your completed application form along with biometric data, and pay the visa fee.
Wait for Processing
Processing time is typically 15 calendar days. Collect your passport from the VFS center once the visa is approved.
Required Documents
- —Valid Chinese passport (minimum 3 months validity beyond the intended departure date)
- —Completed and signed Bulgaria Visa Application form
- —Recent biometric photograph
- —Travel medical insurance (minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR)
- —Round-trip flight itinerary
- —Proof of accommodation and financial means
Important Tips
- •Applying for a Schengen Visa (from the main destination country) is often more beneficial as it grants broader travel flexibility across Europe.
- •Ensure your travel insurance specifically covers 'Bulgaria' or 'Schengen Area'.
- •If entering Bulgaria via a land border from a non-Schengen country (like Turkey or Serbia), Schengen visa rules still apply, but check for any specific border updates.
- •Book your VFS appointment well in advance, especially during the summer tourist season.
Easiest Way to Get It
Possessing a valid multiple-entry Schengen Visa is the easiest way to enter Bulgaria, avoiding the need for a separate Bulgarian national visa application.
Latest Visa News: China ↔ Bulgaria
Great news for China passport holders! Bulgaria has upgraded visa access from visa required to visa-free.
Great news for China passport holders! Bulgaria has upgraded visa access from visa required to visa-free.
Bulgaria has changed visa requirements for China citizens from visa-free to visa required.
Bulgaria has changed visa requirements for China citizens from visa-free to visa required.
Great news for China passport holders! Bulgaria has upgraded visa access from visa required to visa-free.
What about Bulgaria → China?
Bulgaria→ChinaDiscover Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a Balkan nation with diverse terrain encompassing the Black Sea coastline, a mountainous interior, and rivers, including the Danube.
Visa Comparison from China — Same Region
Frequently Asked Questions
More Destinations from China
Explore other countries you can visit with a China passport.
