Starting March 31, 2024, Bulgaria will start issuing five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas to Kuwaiti passport holders.
This was confirmed by the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Kuwait, Dimitar Dimitrov, who said that once the country partially enters the Schengen Area, it will apply the same facilitated visa rules to Kuwaitis as the other Schengen member states, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
In a speech to visitors to the Bulgarian Embassy office in Jabriya, Ambassador Dimitrov stressed that five-year multiple-entry Bulgarian Schengen visas will be issued to all those who meet the conditions.
The same reminded Kuwaitis that the Bulgarian short-term visa permits stays of only up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area, highlighting that in addition to being able to enter Bulgaria, holders of a Bulgarian Schengen visa are also eligible to enter the other Schengen member countries.
A Schengen visa issued by the Republic of Bulgaria after 31 March 2024 will allow its holder to travel throughout the Schengen area in accordance with the Schengen rules (no more than 90 days in any 180-day period), regardless of internal land border checks.
Kuwaitis Called to Submit Their Visa Applications in Advance
Ambassador Dimitrov has called on all Kuwaiti nationals to file an application for a Bulgarian Schengen visa as soon as they have a clear travel plan.
He explained that in line with the rules, applications can be submitted a maximum of six months prior and a minimum of 15 days prior to the planned date of entry to the Schengen Area.
Additionally, Ambassador Dimitrov noted that visa applications will be received in the consular section of Jabriya.
At the same time, he noted that the authorities will be working on advancing the appointment system, as appointments can currently be made by contacting the embassy by email or calling them.
Bulgaria Enters Schengen by Air & Sea on March 31, 2024
Bulgaria officially enters the Schengen Area by air and sea on March 31, 2024.
Following the partial entry of Bulgaria into the Schengen Area, facilitated rules will apply to citizens of Schengen member countries arriving in Bulgaria by air and sea and to those reaching the other Schengen countries through Bulgaria.
Schengen countries’ travellers flying to Bulgaria from March 31, 2024, will no longer be subject to passport controls. They will be directed to specified gates and will have only to undergo security checks.
The same applies to passengers travelling from Bulgaria to the other Schengen countries.
On the other hand, those travelling from Bulgaria to a non-Schengen country will have to undergo passport checks.
Passport controls will also continue to apply at land borders since Bulgaria will only join Schengen by air and sea.
