Extension Visa: What Should International Graduates Know?

After a change in the Bulgarian law two years ago, fourth-year students at AUBG have the opportunity to receive an extension card. The card gives graduates a residence permit for the period during which they can search for a job in Bulgaria. If they do not apply for an extension card but want to stay in Bulgaria, international graduates should return to their home countries. There, they go through a long process of waiting for a work permit, applying for a visa, and getting a residence permit.

The visa extension came out two years ago when the law for foreigners in Bulgaria was changed. This extension visa has already helped six AUBG graduates.

“Two years ago, when a student graduated in May, their residence permit was due on May 31, and they had to leave,” Pavlina Pavlova, Coordinator at AUBG’s International Students Office, said.

Because of the amendment to the law, students can apply for an extension card a month before their residence permit expires. This requires that they first go to the Migration office, bringing an application form available at the International Students Office, a certificate from the Registrar’s office stating that they will graduate in December/May, a document for off-campus accommodation, their passport, and their Bulgarian ID card. Additionally, they should get two copies of each, a document from a local bank showing that they have deposited BGN 1,450, and health insurance with coverage for EUR 30,000.

“To prove they have accommodation, there is a special declaration they need to fill in,” Pavlova said. “The money in the bank account is to show they have some initial money to live with while searching for a job.”

A week before their State exams or Senior Thesis defense, students should notify the Registrar’s Office that they plan to apply for an extension visa. Then, within seven working days after graduation, they should go to the Employment Bureau in Blagoevgrad to get a document of a foreigner looking for a job in Bulgaria.

“The seven-day period is a disadvantage,” Pavlova said. “When the students have to defend their thesis, they immediately have the result if they have passed or not, but for those who have to pass a state exam, it takes a bit longer. I usually write a nice email to the department chair asking for help. And so far, professors have been very cooperative.”

Once foreign students have collected all the documents, they submit them to the Migration Office. Two weeks later, they should go there again with a copy of their passport and a copy of a notarized declaration (off-campus accommodation). Then, they pay for their card to be issued.

“It is a long process, but it is better because they are not forced to leave Bulgaria no later than May 31,” Pavlova said. “Some students find internships, and then the companies are ready to hire them, not just temporarily as an intern but as a regular employer. And that's good for them.”

Another advantage for the students is that they can start an internship or a job before the nine months end.

“We had such a case in which a girl found an internship during the nine months,” Pavlova said. “If, within that period, the student finds a job, then the employer should contact the Employment Bureau and fill in some documents so that the student can work.”

There is no restriction on the country a student comes from, but they cannot go to Work and Travel during the summer.

“According to the requirements, when they [students] first register at the Employment Bureau, they have to go there once a month to sign papers,” Pavlova said.

Apart from those minor restrictions, for Pavlova, “that's a good change in the law” which can help more international students.

“It already worked out for some students. We have examples here at AUBG,” Pavlova said. “That is why I would advise international graduates to start working on it at the end of April if they really want to do it.”

Editors: Vasil Paskov and David Mitov