How Do I Apply?  

The visa application process is really quite easy. A complete application consists of the following:

• Application fee (receipt from Unionbank)
  
• A scheduled appointment
  
• A valid photograph
  
• A valid passport
  
• The appropriate application forms
  
• Any supporting documentation

Step 1: Pay the $131 non-refundable application fee (effective January 1, 2008) at any branch of Union Bank. Details and branch locations.

Step 2: Complete the visa application forms DS-156, DS-157, DS-158 (if required),and the DHL passport delivery Authorization Form:

- Complete the visa application form DS-156. It is available in English for completion online, at http://evisaforms.state.gov. This is the "barcode" form, which is required from all applicants. This form is not being sent online. It simply needs to be first: filled out online, printed, signed, and then presented on the day of the interview.

NOTE: Your bar code must be clear! If your bar code is “broken”, we will not be able to process your application. Click here to see “broken” bar code. Click here to see “clear” bar code.

- All nonimmigrant visa applicants age 16 and above must also fill out and submit a DS-157; (in Bulgarian).

- All persons applying for a student or exchange program visa must also fill out the DS-158.

- Fill-out the DHL passport delivery Authorization form.

Step 3: Make an appointment. (Аverage appointment time) Schedule only one appointment per person. We will not accept multiple appointments for the same person. Any appointment scheduled on the base of an invalid payment will be deleted, and applicant will not be interviewed.  If family applying for visas, please schedule appointments for each family member for the same date and time. Families should always appear at the interview together! For information on expedited appointments for emergency travel, students, exchange visitors, workers and business travelers, click here. Some applicants do not need appointments. Approved visas are delivered via DHL.

Step 4: Attach a recent photo (taken within the past six months, 5 x 5 cm, against a white or off-white background) to the application, and bring it to your interview at the Embassy. Photo specifications are very exact.

Step 5: Gather the following required documentation: the completed application forms, 1 photo, the yellow copy of the Unionbank receipt, a valid passport, and all previous U.S. visas, even if expired, copy of birth certificate(s) of applicant(s) and of their children, if any. A valid passport means that your passport should have at least six months validity considered from the time you enter the U.S. The passport validity do not refer to the visa duration. For information on other recommended documents,  click here. Also bring your appointment confirmation sheet.

Step 6: Arrive at the outside entrance of the Embassy at your specified appointment time. The primary applicant will be the only person allowed into the building for the interview except in the case of minor children (ages 17 and under).

Visa Processing:

• Average Visa Processing Time - 2-3 business days, unless there are technical delays.
• Please note that a small percentage of visa applications require additional special clearances or administrative processing. Most special clearances are resolved within 30 days of application. When additional special clearances or administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

Step 7: Applicants approved for visa issuance will have their passports and visas delivered directly to them by DHL within Bulgaria, instead of returning to the U.S. Embassy to retrieve their passport personally. There is no longer any other method of delivery available. The visas will typically be delivered within 2 business days to any city in Bulgaria.  While the delivery fee is approximately 6 leva to most destinations in Bulgaria, DHL charges up to 31 leva for "remote" locations. This fee is paid directly to DHL upon receipt or pick-up of your passport. If you want to check the delivery fee from Sofia to a specific destination, please either visit http://www.dhl.bg or contact DHL: 0700 - 17- 700 from anywhere in the country (at the cost of one tone pulse) or 930 94 within Sofia. The Visa recipients can choose to have the visas delivered directly to their home, office, or to any DHL office in Bulgaria and the delivery status can be tracked on-line at http://www.dhl.bg.

NEW!  You can speed the processing of your interview by picking up and filling out in advance your DHL airway bill from DHL offices.

For additional information, contact the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, tel. 359 2 937-5100 Monday - Friday, between 2 PM and 5 PM. Follow the instructions on the recorded message. APPLY FOR YOUR VISA EARLY AND BEFORE YOU MAKE FINAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. THE CONSULAR SECTION ADVISES THAT APPLICANTS NEVER PURCHASE NONREFUNDABLE TICKETS UNTIL VISA HAS BEEN ISSUED.