Hiring foreign workers in Bulgaria

The employer is the operational sponsor on the standard work route and normally starts the authorization process with the Employment Agency before the residence side is completed.

• Start the authorization process with the Employment Agency for the specific worker and role.
• Support the labour-market test or exemption logic and keep the job description aligned with the filed contract.
• Stay available through visa D and residence follow-up until the worker can lawfully start and remain in Bulgaria.

The employer supports the Blue Card case with the qualifying high-skill offer and the evidence needed for salary, role, and route fit.

• Issue a qualifying contract or binding offer for highly qualified employment of at least six months.
• Keep the filed salary and role details consistent with the Blue Card route requirements.
• Support the worker if additional information is requested while the Blue Card file is examined.

ICT cases turn on the receiving entity proving the group transfer setup and the worker's qualifying manager, specialist, or trainee status.

• Document the receiving enterprise and the intra-group transfer basis for the Bulgarian assignment.
• Show the worker's prior overseas employment period and the route-appropriate manager, specialist, or trainee status.
• Support the visa D and residence stages after the transfer authorization basis is recognized.

The sponsor drives the seasonal route by either registering short seasonal work after arrival or applying for the seasonal-worker permit for longer stays.

• Use the seasonal scheme only in the approved sectors referenced by the official route guidance.
• Register employment for eligible stays up to 90 days or apply for the seasonal-worker permit for longer seasonal cases.
• Keep the seasonal role and period aligned across the permit, visa D, and later residence formalities.