Vietnam visa for Bulgarian citizens 2026: 45 day free & E-visa

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Vietnam visa for Bulgarian citizens is not required for stays of up to 45 days under Vietnam’s current visa exemption policy. For trips longer than 45 days, Bulgarian passport holders can apply for a Vietnam eVisa valid for up to 90 days, with single entry or multiple entry options. Applicants should check passport validity, entry port, purpose of stay, and temporary residence declaration carefully before traveling. For urgent cases, business purposes, or complicated itineraries, Tan Van Lang can review the case and recommend the safest visa route.

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Do Bulgarian citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam?

No, Bulgarian citizens do not need a visa for Vietnam if their intended stay is up to 45 days and they meet the entry conditions. This 45-day visa exemption applies to citizens of Bulgaria under Vietnam’s tourism promotion visa-free policy effective from 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028.

This exemption is especially useful for tourists, short business visitors attending meetings, and travelers making a short exploratory trip to Vietnam. It does not automatically permit employment, long-term residence, journalism, investment activities, or other regulated purposes.

A Bulgarian citizen will need a Vietnam visa if the trip falls into one of these cases:

• The stay in Vietnam is longer than 45 days.
• The traveler wants a confirmed visa validity period before departure.
• The traveler needs multiple entry for regional travel.
• The purpose involves work, employment, investment, official assignment, or long-term business activity.
• The traveler cannot satisfy the conditions for visa-free entry at the port of arrival.

A critical detail most applicants overlook is that visa-free entry is counted from the date of entry, not from the first full day after arrival. If a Bulgarian traveler enters Vietnam late at night, that calendar date is still treated as the first day of stay.

Bulgarian passport holders should prepare the following documents before boarding:

Entry item	Requirement for Bulgarian citizens
Passport	Valid Bulgaria passport, preferably valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry
Blank pages	At least 2 blank visa pages are strongly recommended
Visa-free stay	Up to 45 days under the current exemption policy
eVisa eligibility	Eligible for Vietnam eVisa up to 90 days
Return or onward ticket	Strongly recommended, especially when entering visa-free
Accommodation details	Hotel booking, host address, or sponsor contact may be requested
Purpose of stay	Must match the permitted entry basis

From our daily work with the Vietnam Immigration Department, the most common problem is not the visa policy itself. It is the mismatch between the traveler’s real travel plan and the entry document they choose.

For example, if a Bulgarian visitor plans to stay 50 days, the 45-day exemption is not enough. In that case, applying for a Vietnam eVisa before arrival is safer than trying to adjust the stay after entering Vietnam.

>>> Read more: How to check Vietnam visa status? Update 2026

Applying for a Vietnam eVisa as a Bulgarian citizen

Bulgarian citizens are eligible to apply for a Vietnam eVisa. This is the most common solution for Bulgarian passport holders who need to stay more than 45 days, enter Vietnam multiple times, or want an official visa document before traveling.

According to the latest 2025 regulations shaped by Law No. 23/2023/QH15 ^[1] , Vietnam’s electronic visa can be valid for up to 90 days and may be issued for single entry or multiple entry. This makes the Vietnam eVisa more flexible than the previous 30-day model.

A Vietnam eVisa is issued online by the Vietnam Immigration Department through the official eVisa system. Once approved, the applicant receives an electronic visa document that can be printed or saved as a PDF.

For Bulgarian applicants, the eVisa is suitable for:

• Tourism trips longer than 45 days.
• Multiple-entry travel between Vietnam and nearby countries.
• Short business visits without local employment.
• Travelers who want to avoid visa stamping at the airport.
• Applicants who want a cleaner arrival process at eligible international border gates.

The basic eVisa validity options are:

Visa type	Maximum validity	Entry type	Suitable for
Vietnam eVisa single entry	Up to 90 days	One entry only	One continuous stay in Vietnam
Vietnam eVisa multiple entry	Up to 90 days	Multiple entries	Regional travel, business meetings, repeated Vietnam entry

When applying, Bulgarian citizens normally need:

• Passport data page scan.
• A recent portrait photo looking straight, without glasses.
• Intended entry date.
• Intended exit date.
• Entry and exit port.
• Accommodation address in Vietnam.
• Personal information matching the passport exactly.
• Online payment card.

The applicant’s name order must match the Bulgaria passport. If the passport shows surname first and given names after, the application should follow the portal’s required fields carefully.

A small spelling error can cause denied boarding, delayed entry, or the need to submit a new application. Airlines usually check the visa before allowing the passenger to board.

A critical detail most applicants overlook is the entry port. Vietnam eVisa holders must enter and exit through approved international airports, seaports, or land borders listed by the official eVisa system.

If the traveler selects one port but arrives at another, the airline or immigration officer may refuse the document. This is why Tan Van Lang always checks the flight route before finalizing an eVisa application.

Bulgarian citizens should also beware of scam sites. The official government portal is evisa.gov.vn, while many lookalike websites use similar names, urgent language, or unofficial seals to charge excessive fees.

Using an unofficial website does not always mean the visa is fake, but it can create serious risks. Some sites collect personal data, charge unclear service fees, or fail to submit the application correctly.

>>> Read more: Vietnam visa how many days? Update 2026

Visa processing time and associated fees for Bulgarian applicants

The official Vietnam eVisa fee is USD 25 for a single-entry electronic visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry electronic visa ^[2] . The fee is paid online and is normally non-refundable even if the application is refused.

The official processing time is commonly around 3 working days, but Bulgarian applicants should not treat this as a guaranteed deadline. Delays can happen during Vietnamese public holidays, high travel seasons, system maintenance, or when the application contains unclear photos or inconsistent information.

Based on our practical experience with thousands of visa cases, Bulgarian travelers should apply at least 7 to 10 working days before departure. For family groups, business travelers, and travelers with tight flight schedules, applying earlier is safer.

Application route	Typical processing time	Government fee	Notes
Official eVisa single entry	Around 3 working days	USD 25	Paid online, non-refundable
Official eVisa multiple entry	Around 3 working days	USD 50	Best for repeated entries within validity
Assisted eVisa service	Depends on urgency	Service fee + government fee	Useful when documents need expert checking
Embassy visa	Varies by embassy	Confirm with embassy	May require in-person or mail submission
Visa on arrival	Depends on approval letter provider	Approval letter fee + stamping fee	Airport-only and not suitable without pre-approval

Applicants should understand the difference between a government fee and a service fee. The government fee is paid to the Vietnamese authority for processing the visa application.

A service fee is paid to an agency or consultant for checking documents, submitting information, handling urgent cases, or supporting corrections. A professional service does not change the law, but it reduces preventable errors.

From our daily work with the Vietnam Immigration Department, the most frequent eVisa mistakes by foreign applicants include:

• Uploading a blurry passport scan.
• Uploading a portrait photo with glasses, shadows, or cropped head.
• Entering the wrong date of birth.
• Mixing up day and month format.
• Selecting the wrong entry port.
• Applying for single entry while planning to leave and re-enter Vietnam.
• Using a passport that will expire soon.
• Entering hotel information that does not match the real itinerary.

For Bulgarian citizens applying for a business visa, the process may require a sponsoring company in Vietnam. A business visa is not the same as a work permit, and it does not automatically allow employment.

If the purpose is paid work, long-term assignment, technical work, or management in Vietnam, the traveler may need a work permit, work permit exemption, temporary residence card, or a visa sponsored by a Vietnamese entity. Entering on a tourist visa and working is a compliance risk.

>>> Read more: Vietnam National Holidays 2026: Full List of Major Celebrations and Their Meanings

Can Bulgarian citizens get a visa-on-arrival?

Yes, Bulgarian citizens may use Vietnam visa on arrival in limited cases, but it is not the same as simply landing in Vietnam and asking for a visa. A pre-approved visa approval letter is required before boarding the flight to Vietnam.

Without the approval letter, the airline may refuse boarding. Vietnam visa on arrival is also generally used at international airports, not at land borders or seaports.

The visa-on-arrival process normally works as follows:

1. The traveler applies for an approval letter through an authorized agency or sponsor.
2. The approval letter is issued before the flight.
3. The traveler prints the approval letter.
4. The traveler prepares passport, photos, entry-exit form, and stamping fee.
5. The traveler presents the documents at the visa landing counter upon arrival.
6. Immigration officers issue the visa stamp in the passport.

Visa on arrival may be relevant when a Bulgarian applicant has an urgent itinerary, needs a visa type not easily handled through the eVisa portal, or has a sponsor arranging entry approval. It is less convenient for ordinary tourism than the Vietnam eVisa.

The stamping fee is paid at the airport when the visa is stamped into the passport. This is separate from any approval letter service fee paid before travel.

Feature	Visa on arrival for Bulgarian citizens
Pre-approval letter	Required before boarding
Where it works	Mainly international airports in Vietnam
Stamping fee	Paid at airport immigration counter
Waiting time	Depends on airport queue and document readiness
Best for	Certain urgent, sponsored, or special cases
Main risk	Arriving without approval letter or cash for stamping fee

A critical detail most applicants overlook is cash preparation. Some travelers arrive with cards only, then face delays because the stamping counter may require cash in an accepted currency.

Visa on arrival also creates an additional waiting step after landing. At busy airports such as Tan Son Nhat or Noi Bai, this can be inconvenient after a long flight from Europe.

For most Bulgarian tourists, the eVisa is cleaner, easier to verify, and less stressful. Visa on arrival should be used only when the traveler has confirmed that this route fits the case.

>>> Read more: How to Stay in Vietnam Long Term: Your Complete Guide for 2026

Vietnam E-visa versus Vietnam Visa-on-arrival – Which one is better?

For most Bulgarian citizens, the Vietnam eVisa is better than visa on arrival. It is official, online, valid for up to 90 days, and can be used at approved airports, seaports, and landports.

Visa on arrival can still be useful in certain urgent or sponsored cases. However, it requires a pre-approved letter and a visa stamp at the airport.

Comparison item	Vietnam eVisa	Visa on arrival
Bulgarian citizens can apply	Yes	Yes, with pre-approval
Maximum validity	Up to 90 days	Depends on approval, often short-term
Entry type	Single entry or multiple entry	Single or multiple entry if approved
Border types	Approved airports, seaports, landports	Mainly airports
Document before travel	eVisa PDF	Approval letter
Airport stamping	Not required for eVisa stamp	Required
Stamping fee	Not required at airport for eVisa	Required at airport
Waiting at airport	Usually faster	Can take extra time
Risk level	Lower if details are correct	Higher if approval letter or cash is missing
Best use case	Tourism, short business, longer stay up to 90 days	Urgent or sponsored airport entry cases

Based on our 20+ years of practical experience, the best option depends on the traveler’s route, stay length, and purpose. A Bulgarian tourist staying 20 days can usually use the 45-day exemption.

A Bulgarian traveler staying 60 days should usually apply for a Vietnam eVisa. A business traveler attending repeated meetings in Vietnam and Thailand may prefer a multiple-entry eVisa.

A traveler who needs airport entry under a sponsor-arranged approval may consider visa on arrival. This should be checked before the ticket is finalized.

For families, we usually recommend avoiding complicated airport stamping unless there is a strong reason. Children, elderly travelers, and first-time visitors benefit from having the visa fully approved before departure.

>>> Read more: Vietnam visa fees 2026: Updated costs & What travelers should expect

Can Bulgarian citizens apply for a visa at the Vietnamese Embassy?

Yes, Bulgarian citizens can apply for a Vietnam visa through the Vietnam embassy in Sofia, depending on the visa type and consular requirements. Embassy visa procedures may be suitable for applicants who need a visa sticker, special purpose visa, or a type of entry document not handled through the eVisa system.

The Embassy of Vietnam in Sofia is the official Vietnamese diplomatic mission in Bulgaria. Applicants should contact the embassy directly before visiting because working hours, consular hours, document lists, and fees may change.

Embassy information	Details
Mission	Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Sofia
Address	1113 Sofia, 1 Zhetvarka St.
Telephone	+3592 963 26 09
Fax	+3592 963 36 58
Email	[email protected]
Website	vnembassy-sofia.mofa.gov.vn
Consular section	Often limited to specific weekday hours, confirm before visiting

Embassy application requirements may include passport, application form, photos, invitation letter, approval document, flight information, and fee payment. The exact list depends on visa category and the embassy’s current procedure.

For a tourist visa, many Bulgarian citizens will find the eVisa easier. For business visa, investment, work-related entry, or cases involving Vietnamese sponsors, embassy or sponsor-based procedures may be more appropriate.

A critical detail most applicants overlook is that the embassy does not fix errors made in an unrelated eVisa application unless the case falls within its consular scope. If an eVisa was issued with wrong information, the safer solution is often to submit a corrected application.

Vietnamese and Bulgarian public holidays can affect embassy processing time. Travelers should avoid applying at the last minute around Tet holiday, Reunification Day, International Labor Day, National Day, Christmas season, and local holidays in Bulgaria.

>>> Read more: Vietnam Airport Fast Track Service 2026 – Skip the Lines, Save Time

Entry requirements Bulgarian citizens should check before flying

Even when a visa is not required, Bulgarian citizens must still satisfy Vietnam’s entry requirements. Visa-free entry is not a guarantee of admission if the traveler fails basic immigration checks.

Before flying, Bulgarian passport holders should check:

• Passport validity of at least 6 months from intended entry date.
• Passport condition, with no serious damage or detached pages.
• At least 2 blank pages for immigration stamps.
• Confirmed return or onward travel plan.
• Accommodation address or host details in Vietnam.
• Correct visa type if staying beyond 45 days.
• Entry port consistency if using eVisa.
• Travel insurance, especially for long stays.

Temporary residence declaration is another practical issue. Foreigners staying in Vietnam must have their temporary residence information declared to local authorities, usually by the hotel, serviced apartment, landlord, or host.

Tourists staying at hotels usually do not need to handle this themselves because hotels submit the declaration. However, Bulgarian citizens staying with friends, private hosts, or rented apartments should make sure the host completes the required declaration.

Failure to declare temporary residence can cause problems during visa extension, administrative checks, or future immigration procedures. This is a common issue for foreigners who stay outside hotels.

>>> Read more: Vietnam visa service: Fast & secure solution for your trip 2026

Common mistakes Bulgarian applicants should avoid

Many visa problems can be prevented before the application is submitted. Tan Van Lang often handles cases where the applicant had the right to enter Vietnam but still faced delays because of avoidable errors.

The most common mistakes include:

• Assuming visa-free entry allows any purpose of stay.
• Booking a 50-day trip but relying on the 45-day exemption.
• Applying for single entry while planning side trips to Cambodia, Thailand, or Singapore.
• Using an eVisa website that is not the official government portal.
• Entering passport number incorrectly.
• Uploading a portrait photo that does not meet the required format.
• Forgetting to check the selected entry port.
• Waiting until the last 48 hours before departure.
• Treating a tourist visa as permission to work.
• Ignoring temporary residence declaration after arrival.

A critical detail most applicants overlook is multiple entry. If a Bulgarian citizen enters Vietnam, then leaves for another country and comes back, a single-entry eVisa is no longer valid after the first entry.

In that situation, the traveler needs a multiple-entry eVisa or a new valid entry document for the second arrival. This is especially important for travelers combining Vietnam with Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, or Singapore.

>>> Read more: Vietnam visa overstay charge 2026: Updated Penalties & What You Must Know

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