Extension of the validity of personal documents for Bulgarian and foreign nationals
Part of the new anti-epidemic measures adopted in Bulgaria include extension of the validity of personal documents for Bulgarian and foreign nationals who reside in Bulgaria.
Extension of the validity of personal documents of prolonged residents
According to the newly adopted amendments to the Act on the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria, a foreign national with a prolonged residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria, whose period of residence expires between 13th March 2020 and 13th February 2021 may submit an application for extension of his/her residency until 13th February 2021. Thus, the validity of the residence permit which would normally expire between 13th March 2020 and 12th February 2021 is extended until 13th February 2021.
A prolonged resident whose residence permit expires between 13th March 2020 and 13th February 2021 may enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria without a visa until 13th February 2021 despite that his/her Bulgarian residence permit card would have already expired.
Extension of the validity of the documents of permanent residents and the documents of EU citizens residing in Bulgaria
The validity of the documents for permanent residence of foreign nationals and the Bulgarian residence cards of EU citizens, which expire in the period between 13th March 2020 and 31st January 2021, is automatically extended by 6 months
The validity of the Bulgarian residence documents is extended also for several other groups of foreign nationals s.a. foreigners with a long-term residence in the EU; family members of citizens of the European Union, etc.
For the term of extension, the documents are considered valid documents for residence only on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and certify only the right of residence. At the request of the person, a new residence document may be issued before the expiration of the extended 6-month period.
Extension of the stay of foreign nationals up to 3 months
Foreign nationals who have entered the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria under the conditions of visa-free regime for short-term stay, or with a short-stay visa can apply for a 3-month prolongation of the allowed stay with the services for administrative control of foreigners.
Extension of the validity of ID cards and passports of Bulgarian citizens
The validity of identity cards and passports of Bulgarian citizens, which expires in the period between 13th March 2020 and 31st January 2021, is automatically extended by 6 months.
For the term of the extension, the identity cards and passports are valid identification documents in the Republic of Bulgaria, and abroad – under the conditions of reciprocity. At the request of the person, a new ID card or passport may be issued before the expiration of the extended 6-month period.
Extension of the validity of driving licenses
The validity of driving licenses, which expires in the period between 13th March 2020 and 31st January 2021, shall be extended by 7 months from the date of expiry of the period specified in the relevant license.
For the period of the extension, the driving license shall be a valid individual driving license. At the request of the person, a new driving license may be issued before the expiry of the extended 7-month period.
For further information and advice please contact us any time: pberg@berglaw.eu
Polina Berg & Dafina Chobanova