Key Takeaways
• Bulgaria’s visa refusal rate dropped from 11.61% in 2023 to 6.02% in 2024, approaching VWP eligibility.
• Bulgaria targets under 3% visa refusal rate by end of 2025 to join US Visa Waiver Program.
• Initiatives like public campaigns, VizaAcademy.bg, and border partnerships aim to meet US technical standards.
Bulgaria 🇧🇬 has built strong momentum toward joining the US Visa Waiver Program, with hopes of reaching this key goal by 2026. This effort means Bulgarians may soon be able to travel to the United States 🇺🇸 for tourism or business without first applying for a visa, making trips simpler and more affordable. This goal reflects not just Bulgaria’s technical improvements but also stronger cooperation between Bulgaria and the United States. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this progress highlights both the challenges and the positive changes that have marked this journey.
Bulgaria’s Recent Progress Toward the US Visa Waiver Program
Bulgaria’s path to joining the US Visa Waiver Program started many years ago, but only recently has the country achieved important technical progress. One of the most central areas of improvement has been the reduction of the visa refusal rate for Bulgarians who wish to visit the United States. This refusal rate is based on how many people who apply for a US visitor visa (known as a B visa) get turned down.
According to the US Department of State’s latest data from November 2024, the current visa refusal rate for Bulgaria stands at 6.02% for fiscal year 2024. This marks a huge drop from the previous year, which saw an 11.61% refusal rate. In fact, this is the lowest rate registered for Bulgaria in 18 years, showing clear, steady progress.
Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister, Georg Georgiev, recently traveled to the United States and stressed that joining the US Visa Waiver Program has become “one of our top priorities and an issue of key importance in the bilateral dialogue between Bulgaria and the US as trusted allies and partners.” US officials, including Christopher Pratt, Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy and Planning at the US Department of Homeland Security, have praised Bulgaria’s technical progress and recognized this as an important achievement.
This development means Bulgaria is not just making improvements for the sake of meeting requirements. Instead, the steps taken have opened new channels for discussion and helped deepen trust and shared goals between both nations.
Understanding the US Visa Waiver Program and its Requirements
The US Visa Waiver Program allows citizens from approved countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays up to 90 days, mainly for tourism or business. Travelers under this program must still get authorization through an online system known as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), but they no longer need to attend lengthy visa interviews or collect numerous visa documents.
To join the US Visa Waiver Program, counties must meet strict technical and security standards set by the United States. Among the several requirements, the most challenging by far for Bulgaria has been the need to lower the tourist visa refusal rate to under 3%—well below Bulgaria’s current 6.02%. Other necessary steps include:
- Strong border security and sharing of information with the United States on issues such as lost and stolen passports and terrorist watch lists
- Issuing biometric passports for all travelers
- Following rules about the timely reporting of passport and identity document information
Bulgaria is currently working to bring the visa refusal rate below 3% by the end of fiscal year 2025. If achieved, this would meet the main requirement that has kept Bulgaria outside the program until now. Success could bring the earliest possible entry into the US Visa Waiver Program by 2026. This would put Bulgaria in line with other countries in its region that have reached the same goal in the past few years.
Key Steps Taken: Bulgaria’s Strategic Initiatives
Bulgaria has not left its progress to chance. Instead, officials have launched several targeted projects to boost progress toward the program.
1. Awareness Campaign – “You don’t need an Oscar to get a US visa”
In December 2024, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a major public awareness and education campaign aimed at helping more Bulgarians understand what is needed to successfully apply for a US visa. The campaign featured Oscar-nominated actress Maria Bakalova and used humor to break down common myths about the visa process. This project worked to explain, in clear and simple terms, what people need to do to improve their chances of getting a visa—helping, over time, to reduce the number of refusals due to easily avoidable mistakes.
2. Enhanced Border Security Partnership
Another area of focus has been improving border security and cooperation with US authorities. In December 2024, Bulgaria and the United States created an Enhanced Border Security Partnership. This partnership works to make sure Bulgaria’s border and security practices match US standards. These shared efforts not only help with the technical requirements for the VWP but also make travel safer for all.
3. VizaAcademy.bg – Practical Help for Applicants
Bulgaria’s government has also set up a free online resource called VizaAcademy.bg. This website walks applicants through each step of the visa process. It includes tips on how to fill out forms, what documents to gather, and how to avoid common pitfalls that could lead to a visa being refused. The platform seeks to correct rumors floating around on social media and gives up-to-date, official advice directly to the people who need it.
All three measures work together to guide citizens carefully through each step so fewer mistakes are made and the visa refusal rate can keep dropping.
Bulgaria in the Regional and European Context
Bulgaria is not alone in its effort to join the US Visa Waiver Program. Within the European Union, there has been a strong push for every member country to gain visa-free access to the United States as part of broader cooperation agreements. Let’s look at where Bulgaria stands among its peers:
- Romania recently joined the US Visa Waiver Program and, starting March 31, 2025, Romanians will be able to travel to the United States for short stays without a visa.
- Croatia achieved the same status in October 2021.
Currently, only Bulgaria and Cyprus remain in the EU as countries whose citizens still need visas to visit the United States. This situation has driven extra urgency for Bulgarian officials to meet the remaining requirements so that Bulgarian citizens can enjoy the same travel freedom as most other Europeans.
In another related move, Bulgaria joined the Schengen Zone—a group of European countries that allows border-free travel among members—on January 1, 2025. This shift has made travel across Europe simpler for Bulgarians, while the push toward joining the US Visa Waiver Program remains underway.
Taken together, these efforts show Bulgaria is invested not only in gaining US approval, but also in embracing international standards for border security, document safety, and public awareness.
Why the Visa Refusal Rate Matters So Much
For many people, the visa refusal rate may sound like only a technical detail, but it is one of the most difficult requirements Bulgaria must meet to join the US Visa Waiver Program. If too many people are refused, it signals that people may not fully understand the process or that there are systemic problems that need fixing.
The United States monitors this rate closely because it serves as a kind of “test” for how well a country’s applicants follow the visa rules and whether there are widespread misunderstandings or false applications. A lower visa refusal rate means most people who apply truly meet the requirements and show strong ties to their home country (making it less likely that they will overstay once in the United States).
Bulgaria’s recent progress—dropping the refusal rate from 11.61% in 2023 to 6.02% in 2024—did not happen by accident. This change was brought about through public campaigns, direct education, and a dedication from both the government and applicants to follow all the necessary steps. Now, Bulgaria’s challenge is to more than halve the current rate and reach the 3% target. Achieving this would likely open the doors to final negotiations and, soon after, Bulgaria could become a member of the US Visa Waiver Program.
Benefits of Joining the US Visa Waiver Program
If Bulgaria succeeds, the change will impact not just individual travelers but also the country’s economy, security, and bilateral ties with the United States. Some of the benefits include:
- Simplified Travel: No need for in-person interviews, long application forms, or travel to foreign embassies for short US visits.
- Lower Travel Costs: Saving money and time will make trips to the United States more accessible for students, tourists, and business travelers.
- Business Growth: Easier travel for business leads to more partnerships, investments, and trade opportunities between Bulgaria and the United States.
- Greater Security: Meeting visa waiver requirements means improving border controls and sharing security data, making travel safer for everyone.
- Better International Reputation: Reaching the 3% visa refusal rate and meeting US standards will demonstrate Bulgaria’s commitment to international cooperation and the rule of law.
Timeline and Next Steps
With a clear target set for reaching the needed visa refusal rate by the end of fiscal year 2025, Bulgarian officials remain focused on continuing public education, raising awareness, and providing effective support for visa applicants.
If the country manages to go below the 3% refusal rate and keeps up with technical requirements, Bulgaria could join the US Visa Waiver Program as early as 2026. After this, Bulgarian citizens will be able to visit the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa. They will only need to register in advance using the ESTA system, just like travelers from other participating countries.
The US embassy in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly share updates and advice for those interested in the process. To keep up with requirements or to read more about visa eligibility and rules, you can always check the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Waiver Program page for official details.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s quest to join the US Visa Waiver Program has entered its final stages—with a big focus now on lowering the visa refusal rate below the critical 3% mark. The recent improvements show what is possible with joint government action, effective public education, and strong partnerships with the United States. While the remaining challenges are tough, Bulgaria’s experience proves that clear goals, transparent information, and persistence can bring about real change.
The benefits—ranging from easier travel for everyday citizens to increased business and tourism opportunities—will be felt widely in both Bulgaria and the United States. As Bulgaria continues to work towards meeting every requirement, the hope is high that 2026 will bring an end to visa barriers between the two countries.
Through these efforts, Bulgarians look forward to joining their European neighbors in this important area of travel freedom. The ongoing work also stands as a model of how teamwork, technical improvements, and open communication can help countries reach even the strictest international travel standards.
For more updates and guidance on immigration issues, travellers and businesses can always turn to trusted sources such as VisaVerge.com to get the latest, most accurate information.
Learn Today
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) → A US program letting approved countries’ citizens visit for up to 90 days without a traditional visa.
Visa Refusal Rate → The percentage of visa applications denied. A low rate is crucial for Visa Waiver Program eligibility.
ESTA → The Electronic System for Travel Authorization, an online screening required for travelers under the VWP.
Biometric Passport → A travel document containing electronic data, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, to enhance security.
Enhanced Border Security Partnership → A formal agreement to improve technical cooperation and border controls between Bulgaria and the US.
This Article in a Nutshell
Bulgaria has rapidly advanced toward joining the US Visa Waiver Program. Major progress lowered its visa refusal rate to 6.02% in 2024. With creative campaigns and strengthened border security, Bulgaria hopes to meet US technical benchmarks and targets entry by 2026, potentially granting Bulgarians visa-free travel for tourism and business.
— By VisaVerge.com
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