Key Takeaways
• Bulgaria aims to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program by 2026, pending visa refusal rate reduction below 3%.
• Bulgaria signed an enhanced information-sharing agreement with the U.S. April 22, 2025, advancing security cooperation.
• The 2024 visa refusal rate dropped to 6.02%, lowest in 18 years but still above the 3% requirement.
Bulgaria Moves Closer to U.S. Visa Waiver Program: What It Means and What’s Next
Bulgaria is making big steps toward joining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), a move that could allow its citizens to travel to the United States 🇺🇸 for short visits without needing a visa. As of June 2025, Bulgaria is not yet a VWP member, but the government has set a goal to achieve visa-free travel by 2026. This development is important for travelers, businesses, and anyone interested in U.S.-Bulgaria relations. Here’s a detailed look at what’s happening, why it matters, and what needs to happen next.
Bulgaria’s Progress Toward Visa-Free U.S. Travel
Who is involved? The Bulgarian government, led by the Prime Minister and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, and Ministry of the Interior, is working closely with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Embassy in Sofia. Special Coordinator Dimana Dramova is leading Bulgaria’s efforts, while U.S. officials like CBP Attaché Luke Miller and Chargé d’Affaires Susan Falatko are key partners.
What’s happening? Bulgaria is working to meet all the requirements for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. The most recent milestone was on April 22, 2025, when Bulgaria and the United States 🇺🇸 signed an enhanced information-sharing agreement. This agreement is a major step because it helps both countries fight illegal immigration, terrorism, and serious crime.
Why now? Bulgaria’s government has made joining the VWP a top priority. Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh said, “Joining the US Visa Waiver Program is a strategic priority…a key step towards facilitating people-to-people contacts, encouraging business exchanges and developing tourism between the two countries.” The country’s recent entry into the Schengen Area in January 2025 also shows its commitment to aligning with Western partners.
How close is Bulgaria? The main obstacle left is the visa refusal rate. For Bulgaria to join the VWP, the U.S. requires that less than 3% of B-visa applications (for tourism and business) are refused in the previous year. In 2024, Bulgaria’s refusal rate dropped to 6.02%, down from 11.61% in 2023. This is the lowest rate in 18 years, but it’s still above the 3% threshold.
What Is the U.S. Visa Waiver Program?
The U.S. Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of approved countries to visit the United States 🇺🇸 for up to 90 days for tourism or business without getting a visa. Instead, travelers use an online system called ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). The VWP is designed to make travel easier while keeping strong security standards.
To qualify for the VWP, a country must meet several requirements:
– Low visa refusal rate: Less than 3% of B-visa applications refused in the previous year.
– Strong security cooperation: Agreements to share information about criminals and terrorists.
– Biometric passports: Passports with electronic chips that store personal data.
– Ongoing counterterrorism efforts: Working with the United States 🇺🇸 to prevent illegal immigration and terrorism.
You can read more about the program on the U.S. Department of State’s official Visa Waiver Program page.
Key Milestones and Recent Developments
Enhanced Information Sharing
On April 22, 2025, Bulgaria and the United States 🇺🇸 signed a new agreement to share information about serious crimes and terrorism. This agreement is a key requirement for VWP membership. CBP Attaché Luke Miller said, “We are delighted to continue expanding our cooperation in this critical area with our Bulgarian government partners.” This step shows both countries are serious about security.
Public Education Campaign
In December 2024, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs started a public campaign to help citizens understand the U.S. visa process. Oscar-nominated actress Maria Bakalova is the face of this campaign. The goal is to help people avoid mistakes on their visa applications, which should help lower the visa refusal rate.
Schengen Area Membership
Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area in January 2025. This means there are no more internal border checks with other Schengen countries. It also means Bulgaria’s border and visa policies are now closely aligned with the rest of the European Union.
Visa Refusal Rate Progress
The visa refusal rate is the percentage of people who apply for a U.S. B-visa (for tourism or business) and are denied. The U.S. sets a strict limit: to join the VWP, a country’s refusal rate must be below 3%. Here’s how Bulgaria has done recently:
| Year | B-Visa Refusal Rate | VWP Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 11.61% | 3% |
| 2024 | 6.02% | 3% |
Bulgaria’s rate has dropped sharply, but it still needs to fall further. Over 14,000 B1/B2 visas were issued to Bulgarians in the past year, and 5,000 Work and Travel visas were granted in just the last three months.
Why the Visa Refusal Rate Matters
The visa refusal rate is the biggest hurdle left for Bulgaria. If too many people are refused visas, it signals to the U.S. government that there may be risks, such as people overstaying their visas or not following the rules. The U.S. wants to make sure that travelers from VWP countries are likely to return home after their visit.
To help lower the refusal rate, Bulgaria is:
– Running public information campaigns to help people fill out applications correctly
– Training consular staff to spot and prevent common mistakes
– Encouraging only well-prepared applicants to apply
If Bulgaria can get its refusal rate below 3% in 2025, it could join the VWP in 2026.
Step-by-Step: How Bulgaria Can Join the VWP
- Meet All U.S. Requirements
- Keep the B-visa refusal rate below 3% for the previous fiscal year.
- Maintain strong security cooperation, including sharing information and biometric data.
- Issue secure, biometric passports to all citizens.
- Continue working with the U.S. on counterterrorism and border security.
- Formalize Agreements
- Bulgaria and the U.S. have already signed the required information-sharing agreement in April 2025.
- Educate the Public
- Ongoing campaigns help applicants avoid mistakes and reduce refusals.
- U.S. Government Review
- The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department will review Bulgaria’s progress and make a recommendation to the President and Congress.
- Official Designation
- If approved, Bulgaria will be added to the VWP list. Citizens can then use ESTA for short visits instead of applying for a visa.
What Would Change for Bulgarian Citizens?
If Bulgaria joins the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, its citizens will be able to:
– Travel to the United States 🇺🇸 for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa
– Apply online for ESTA, which is faster and cheaper than a visa
– Enjoy easier travel for business, tourism, academic, and cultural exchanges
This would save time and money for travelers and make it easier for families, students, and businesspeople to visit the United States 🇺🇸.
Impact on U.S.-Bulgaria Relations
Visa-free travel would strengthen ties between Bulgaria and the United States 🇺🇸. It would:
– Boost tourism and business exchanges
– Encourage more academic and cultural visits
– Show that Bulgaria is a trusted partner in security and border control
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, joining the VWP would also help Bulgaria align more closely with other European Union countries, most of which already enjoy visa-free travel to the United States 🇺🇸.
Perspectives from Stakeholders
Bulgarian Government
Officials see VWP membership as a way to help the economy and improve Bulgaria’s image abroad. Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh has called it a “strategic priority” for the country.
U.S. Government
American officials focus on security and making sure that all requirements are met. They want to be sure that Bulgaria’s systems for sharing information and issuing passports are strong enough to prevent illegal immigration and protect against terrorism.
Business and Tourism Sectors
Business leaders and travel companies are eager for Bulgaria to join the VWP. They believe it will bring more tourists to the United States 🇺🇸 and make it easier for Bulgarian companies to do business with American partners.
Civil Society
Groups in Bulgaria are helping educate the public about the visa process. They want to make sure that people understand the rules and don’t make mistakes that could lead to a visa refusal.
Historical and Regional Context
Bulgaria is one of the last European Union countries whose citizens still need a visa to visit the United States 🇺🇸. Romania recently achieved visa-free status, and Cyprus is expected to follow soon. Bulgaria’s entry into the Schengen Area in January 2025 was a major step in aligning its policies with the rest of Europe.
The U.S. Visa Waiver Program is governed by strict rules, set out in the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. These rules are designed to keep travel safe and secure for everyone.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Bulgaria?
Reducing the Visa Refusal Rate
The main focus for the rest of 2025 is to bring the visa refusal rate below 3%. The government is confident that with continued public education and cooperation with the United States 🇺🇸, this goal can be reached.
Continued Reforms
Bulgaria will keep working on security and information-sharing reforms. These efforts are expected to further reduce the refusal rate and show the United States 🇺🇸 that Bulgaria is ready for VWP membership.
ETIAS for EU Travel
Starting in mid-2025, Bulgarians and other travelers to the European Union will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) for short stays. This system is similar to the U.S. ESTA and is another sign that Bulgaria is aligning its travel security standards with those of the United States 🇺🇸 and the European Union.
Summary Table: Bulgaria’s Path to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program
| Milestone | Status (June 2025) |
|---|---|
| Schengen Area Membership | Achieved (Jan 2025) |
| B-Visa Refusal Rate | 6.02% (2024), target <3% (2025) |
| Enhanced Info Sharing | Formalized (April 2025) |
| Public Education Campaign | Ongoing (since Dec 2024) |
| Target VWP Admission | 2026 |
Practical Guidance for Bulgarian Travelers
- Check your passport: Make sure you have a biometric passport, as this is required for VWP travel.
- Stay informed: Follow updates from the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Embassy in Sofia.
- Prepare your application carefully: If you still need a visa, double-check your application to avoid mistakes that could lead to refusal.
- Watch for changes: If Bulgaria joins the VWP, you’ll be able to apply for ESTA online for short visits to the United States 🇺🇸.
Where to Find Official Information
For the latest updates and official guidance, visit:
– Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
– U.S. Embassy in Sofia
– U.S. Department of State – Visa Waiver Program
Conclusion
Bulgaria is closer than ever to joining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. With major security and policy milestones achieved in 2025, the final challenge is reducing the visa refusal rate below 3%. If successful, Bulgarians could enjoy visa-free travel to the United States 🇺🇸 as early as 2026. This would mark a major step forward in U.S.-Bulgarian relations and help Bulgaria fully join the community of countries with easy access to the United States 🇺🇸. The coming months will be critical, and travelers, businesses, and officials alike are watching closely for the next big announcement.
Learn Today
Visa Waiver Program → Allows citizens of approved countries to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa.
Visa refusal rate → Percentage of visa applications denied; must be below 3% for VWP eligibility.
Biometric passport → A passport containing an electronic chip storing personal data for security verification.
ESTA → Electronic System for Travel Authorization; an online application replacing visas for VWP travelers.
Information-sharing agreement → A formal deal between countries to exchange data for preventing crime and terrorism.
This Article in a Nutshell
Bulgaria is nearing U.S. Visa Waiver Program membership, enhancing travel ease for its citizens. With improved security agreements and a reduced visa refusal rate, Bulgaria targets joining by 2026. Continued reforms and public education aim to lower visa refusals, promising stronger U.S.-Bulgarian ties and simpler short-term travel soon.
— By VisaVerge.com
