Bulgarian Bureaucracy: The Migration Office

The first time I went to the Migration Office in Blagoevgrad, I expected routine paperwork. Instead, I left confused, struggling to understand what was happening around me. 

 

As a Black EU student, I also had moments that felt uncomfortable and racially charged, such as being questioned about actually being from the EU. For many international students arriving at AUBG, the Migration Office is their first encounter with Bulgarian bureaucracy.

 

International students studying in Bulgaria must apply for a long-term residence permit after securing their student visa. The process involves: opening a Bulgarian bank account, preparing official documents, submitting the application for residency/visa, paying administrative fees, and returning for card pickup.

 

Language Barriers & Unfamiliar Systems 

Language barriers are one of the most common problems students face at the Migration Office, but students say the difficulty often goes beyond language. Many arrive expecting a simple administrative step and instead encounter a system they do not yet understand.

 

Amira Marzouq, a first-year student from Morocco, described the experience as the most stressful part of her transition to Bulgaria.

“How bad from one to ten? Eleven,” she said.

“I was supposed to get help from the university, but I didn’t. I had to rely on friends for translation.” During one visit, Amira was given a form written entirely in Bulgarian. 

“The worker at the office gave me the sheet of paper and told me to fill it out,” she said.

“I didn’t know any Bulgarian, so I was stuck.” 

Without translation or clear instructions, the process quickly became overwhelming. Amira said she felt mentally exhausted and cried several times while trying to complete the requirements.

 

Second-year student Lizi Botchoroshvili from Georgia remembers a similar first visit.

“It was really traumatising,” she said. “They were yelling at me for not understanding Bulgarian.” 

While taking the photo for her residency card, Lizi said the instructions initially appeared in English but were suddenly given in Bulgarian. “She switched to Bulgarian and started yelling.” Although her second-year visit was easier, the challenges remained.

The example form displayed in the office is only in Bulgarian.

“For someone who doesn’t speak the language, it’s really hard,” she said.

 

Because of these challenges, many students rely on Bulgarian friends to navigate the process.

Cas, a first-year Bulgarian student who has accompanied several international students to the Migration Office, says translation help is often necessary. “The workers act as if you should already understand everything.”

The Bulgarian student also noticed that information online sometimes differs from what staff request in person. In one case, they had to clarify visa rules themselves. “We had to explain that Georgian citizens can stay three months in the EU without a visa.”

The Role of the International Student Office 

The International Students Office (ISO) at AUBG says it provides guidance to help students prepare for the process. During Orientation Week, ISO organizes a session explaining the residence permit procedure and the required visits to the Migration Office. Students later receive the presentation, application forms, deadlines, and instructions for completing the documents.

 

ISO staff also review students’ paperwork, answer questions, and communicate with the Migration Office when needed. The office hires one or two student assistants each semester who can accompany students to the Migration Office and help translate. Students can request this support in person, at the ABF Student Center Room 6206, or by email.

 

When students use this assistance, experiences can be significantly smoother. First-year student Will Saadeh said his visit went smoothly after ISO arranged translation help and provided clear instructions beforehand.

 

“They sent me with a translator and gave me everything I needed,” he said.

Similarly, Lizi described the ISO as consistently reliable. She stated, “They looked through my documents, pointed out mistakes, and fixed them with me.”

Advice for Future International Students

Amira said that incomplete information caused much of her stress. “The information they give you is not really what’s happening there,” she noted that making sure you are clear on the provided guidance could prevent repeated visits and misunderstandings.

 

When institutional help is unavailable, peer support becomes critical. Cas encouraged students to rely on those around them. “Don’t be scared to ask for help,” they said. 

 

Lizi echoed that advice, particularly for first-time applicants. “Don’t be stressed,” she said. “If you’re scared, grab a friend who’s already done it.”

 

Will’s advice focused on preparation and timing. “When they send you the instructions, get on that right away,” he said, noting that early action can reduce anxiety around deadlines.

 

 

Edited by: Bilyana Spasova & Hary Dikov

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• United Bulgarian Bank (Member of KBC group)

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