1. What percentage of applicants don't receive visas?
Well, let's put it this way:  overall, about 4 out of every 5 applicants receive visas.

2. What are the usual reasons for refusing visas?
By far the most common reason we must refuse visas has to do with our feeling that a particular applicant may stay in the U.S. to live and/or work.  That isn't allowed with a tourist visa.

3.    Do you give visas to single woman?
Certainly.  All the time.

4. Is the visa lottery program going to be abolished?
We have no indication the program will be abolished in the foreseeable future.  The numbers (of winners) awarded to any certain country, however, do tend to go down over time, as more of that country's nationals settle in the U.S.

5. Once Bulgaria enters the EU, will Bulgarians be able to travel to the United States without visas?
No.  The Visa Waiver Program is controlled by the U.S. Congress, and only Congress can decide to admit more members.  There are certain qualifications that a country would have to meet (a very low tourist visa refusal rate, for one) in order to be considered.  The Embassy and the Bulgarian government are working together to help the country advance toward qualification, but that's a long-term project. 

6. Why is getting an American visa so expensive?
The visa application fee is based on a study of our costs - that is, the cost of interviewing applicants and processing visas.  The fee simply helps cover those costs, which are substantial.

7. How many Americans live in Bulgaria?
Probably only about 400-500 live here more or less permanently.

8. In what other countries have you served?
Mostly in Latin America, including Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia.

9. What's your favorite place in Bulgaria?
Well, we really enjoy the whole country, and in fact we've already travelled around quite a bit.  It's a beautiful place.

10. What do you like best about Bulgaria?
All the wonderful people.