Starting from March 31, Bulgaria will commence granting five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas to citizens of Kuwait.

Key Points

• Bulgaria has announced its intention to commence issuing five-year multiple-entry visas to citizens of Kuwait beginning March 31, 2024.
• Dimitar Dimitrov, the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Kuwait, affirmed that Bulgarian Schengen visas will be granted to individuals meeting the necessary requirements.
• Kuwaiti nationals are advised to proactively handle their Schengen visa applications ahead of time.

Starting March 31, 2024, Bulgaria will commence issuing five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas to Kuwaiti passport holders. Ambassador Dimitar Dimitrov, the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Kuwait, confirmed this, stating that once Bulgaria partially enters the Schengen Area, it will extend the same visa regulations to Kuwaitis as other Schengen member states. During a speech at the Bulgarian Embassy office in Jabriya, Ambassador Dimitrov emphasized that all individuals meeting the visa requirements will receive five-year multiple-entry Bulgarian Schengen visas. He also reminded Kuwaitis that Bulgarian short-term visas only allow stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. Additionally, he highlighted that holders of a Bulgarian Schengen visa can enter other Schengen member countries. A Schengen visa issued by Bulgaria after March 31, 2024, will permit travel throughout the Schengen area, adhering to Schengen rules (not exceeding 90 days within any 180-day period), regardless of internal land border checks, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria. Ambassador Dimitrov urged Kuwaiti nationals to submit their visa applications promptly once they have a clear travel plan. He clarified that applications can be lodged a maximum of six months prior and a minimum of 15 days prior to the planned entry date to the Schengen Area. Furthermore, Ambassador Dimitrov noted that visa applications will be processed at the consular section of Jabriya. Additionally, he mentioned that authorities will work on enhancing the appointment system, with appointments currently available by email or phone. Bulgaria will officially join the Schengen Area by air and sea on March 31, 2024. Consequently, facilitated regulations will apply to citizens of Schengen member countries traveling to Bulgaria by air and sea, as well as those transiting to other Schengen countries via Bulgaria. Travelers from Schengen countries flying to Bulgaria after March 31, 2024, will no longer undergo passport controls and will only need to undergo security checks. Similarly, passengers traveling from Bulgaria to other Schengen countries will follow the same procedure. However, travelers from Bulgaria to non-Schengen countries will still undergo passport checks. Passport controls will remain at land borders as Bulgaria's Schengen accession will only apply to air and sea travel.