Type D Visa for Commercial Representatives: Required Documents (2026)
Type D visa for a commercial representative in Bulgaria: BCCI registration, parent company papers, housing and insurance. Steps from consulate to residence permit.
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A type D visa for a commercial representative is a long-stay visa you apply for at the Bulgarian consulate in your home country (for example Türkiye), using the registration certificate of the representation from the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). The main documents are: passport, photo, BCCI certificate, parent company papers, proof of accommodation and office in Bulgaria, health insurance and proof of means. After the visa, you apply for a residence permit at the Migration Directorate.
What is a type D visa and why does a representative need it?
A foreigner who wants to stay in Bulgaria for more than three months first needs a long-stay visa. It is called a type D visa. You can read the general explanation in our article what is a Bulgarian type D visa.
A person appointed as a commercial representative follows the same path. First, the representation is entered in the register of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). Then the representative applies at the consulate with this certificate. For the whole picture, read residence permit through commercial representation.
Important: the representation must be registered before the visa application. Without the BCCI certificate, you cannot apply for the visa.
Required documents
The consulate may change its requirements from time to time. The list below shows the general categories. For the exact and current list, always check the list published by the consulate.
| Document group | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Passport | Sufficient validity and free pages |
| Photo | Biometric photo that meets the consulate’s format rules |
| Application form | Visa application form, signed |
| BCCI certificate | Registration certificate of the representation and the decision appointing the representative |
| Parent company documents | Trade register extract, certificate of activity, power of attorney; apostilled and translated into Bulgarian |
| Accommodation and office | Office lease in Bulgaria and proof of where you will stay |
| Health insurance | Health insurance valid in Bulgaria |
| Means of subsistence | Proof that you can support yourself during your stay |
The consulate may ask for certain amounts, for example for bank balance or insurance cover. These amounts can change, so we do not give figures here. Prepare your file according to the consulate’s current list.
Points to watch in your documents
- Apostille: Official documents issued in your home country receive an apostille. It is a certification that makes the document valid abroad.
- Translation: Documents need an official Bulgarian translation. Our translation service can help.
- Freshness: Official documents should be issued within the last 6 months. Older papers delay the application.
- Consistency: The company name, address and representative details must be written the same way in every document. A small spelling difference can raise extra questions.
Step-by-step application
- Registration of the representation: Parent company documents are prepared, an office is rented and the representation is entered in the BCCI register. See opening a commercial representation in Bulgaria.
- Document file: The documents in the table above are collected, apostilled and translated.
- Consulate appointment: You book an appointment at the Bulgarian consulate.
- Application: The representative applies in person with the documents. Fingerprints and a photo may be taken.
- Decision: If the visa is granted, it is placed in the passport. The consulate may ask for extra documents.
- Entry to Bulgaria: You enter Bulgaria within the validity period of the visa.
What to expect at the consulate
The consular officer wants to understand whether the representation’s activity is genuine. Be ready for questions such as:
- What does the parent company do, and why is it opening a representation in Bulgaria?
- How long do you plan to stay in Bulgaria?
- Where is the office and what will you do there?
- How will you support yourself?
Your answers must match your documents. Short, clear and true answers are enough. Saying something that is not in your documents causes problems.
Until the decision is given, keep the office lease and the registration valid. If anything changes, informing the consulate and the BCCI is the safest way. Before you hand in the file, review it once more. One missing document can extend the process.
After the D visa: the residence permit
The D visa is not the residence permit itself. After entering Bulgaria, the representative applies to the Migration Directorate (Дирекция „Миграция“) in the area of residence for a long-term residence permit. The residence card is issued afterwards.
The parent company’s situation decides the conditions. Its turnover must be at least the equivalent of 100,000 leva and it must have no tax debts. At most 2 representatives can get a permit through one representation. When the permit ends, you must renew it; read renewing a Bulgarian residence permit.
Common mistakes
- Starting the document file before the BCCI registration is complete.
- Bringing parent company documents without apostille or translation.
- Applying with outdated documents.
- Submitting incomplete proof of accommodation.
- Preparing from an old list instead of the consulate’s current one.
If you are thinking of getting residence through your own company instead, see representation or company.
Let us prepare your file together
The document list, apostille and translation follow-up, BCCI registration and the residence application can all be handled in one place. See our residence permit page. You can send your papers for a free document review or book an online appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BCCI certificate mandatory for the D visa?
Yes. For a visa as a commercial representative, the basic document is the registration certificate of the representation from the BCCI register. You cannot apply before the registration is complete.
Which amounts does the consulate require?
The consulate may ask for certain amounts for bank balance and health insurance cover. These amounts can change, so prepare according to the consulate’s current list.
Do I get the residence card automatically after the D visa?
No. After entering Bulgaria you must apply for a residence permit at the Migration Directorate. The residence card is issued once the decision is made.
My documents are not in Bulgarian. What should I do?
Documents issued in your home country get an apostille and an official translation into Bulgarian. They should be issued within the last 6 months.
Can my spouse and children also get a visa?
The representative’s spouse and children can get residence separately through family reunification. The documents are different; see our family reunification service.
