Bulgaria prioritizes US visa waiver program accession - EXCLUSIVE

Bulgaria continues to strengthen its international standing through rigorous security standards, reliable identity management, and its role as a trusted global partner, while advancing key foreign policy priorities, including accession to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.

This was said by the source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, in an exclusive interview with CE Report.

According to the source, Bulgaria is currently engaged in negotiations with the United States on joining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which would enable Bulgarian citizens to travel to the United States for tourism and business without obtaining a visa. The Ministry considers participation in the program one of its top foreign policy priorities and is continuing to work closely with U.S. counterparts to fulfill the remaining requirements necessary for accession. The source emphasized that Bulgaria remains committed to achieving this objective as soon as possible.

The source also highlighted that one of the key priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the new Government is the modernization of consular services. Active efforts will be undertaken to improve and expand these services in order to better serve Bulgarian citizens abroad.

The Ministry's Automated Information System for Electronic Services is already widely used by Bulgarian citizens living overseas who meet the requirements of Article 18a of the Bulgarian Personal Documents Act. According to the source, the platform fully complies with all applicable security and personal data protection standards.

The source clarified that the electronic system enables Bulgarian citizens to submit online applications for identity documents. However, the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria remains the competent authority responsible for issuing these documents. As a result, any future proposals or concepts aimed at expanding or further developing the system must be coordinated with the Ministry of Interior, whose structures oversee the issuance process.

The source further noted that, effective from 27 April 2026, Bulgaria began issuing a new generation of identity documents that fully comply with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The updated documents introduce enhanced security through the use of premium-quality materials, new security features, advanced technologies, and a modernized protective graphic design, further strengthening the integrity and reliability of Bulgarian identity documents.

Photo: Wikipedia

This interview was prepared by Laura Hoffman