Bulgaria has simplified visa requirements for citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine, Tengrinews reports citing the official website of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry.
Bulgaria has simplified visa requirements for citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine, Tengrinews reports citing the official website of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry.
The decision to ease the procedures of getting a tourist visa has been taken by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov and Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova at the recent meeting held in the Ministry of Tourism in Bulgaria.
One of the reasons behind this decision was the upcoming tourist season during which Bulgaria wants to attract more tourists, especially from its traditional markets like Russia and Ukraine. Since the Ukrainian crisis began there has been a 3 percent decline in the number of Russian tourists and an 8 percent decline in the number of Ukrainian tourists compared to 2014.
This measure is also aimed at countering the reducing number of early bookings from these countries for the summer season 2015.
Under the the requirements, the citizens of these countries who previously held Bulgarian visas could now get short-term double or multiple-entry visas for organized tourism that will be valid for one year/
In addition, short-term double or multiple-entry visas for a private trip valid for up to 1 year can be issued to those who visit Bulgaria for the first time. Previous holders of Bulgarian visa have now the same entitlement, but their documents will be valid for up to 3 years.
As for minors, those who would like to visit Bulgaria as a tourist or as part of an organized youth camp travelling to Bulgaria for training, sports or cultural exchange will receive short-term multiple-entry visas valid for up to 5 years.
Disabled people willl also have a right to obtain one year double or multiple-entry tourist visas.
Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already sent instructions to the diplomatic and consular missions to facilitate the procedure of issuing the tourist visas.
By Assel Satubaldina