Schengen Area (via Bulgaria) tourist visa for Nepali citizens
Short-stay Schengen visa via the Embassy of Bulgaria in New Delhi, which handles Nepal since Bulgaria has no resident embassy here — a Bulgarian Honorary Consul in Kathmandu offers limited local assistance only.
Bulgaria is a Schengen member (since 1 January 2025). It has no resident embassy in Nepal; diplomatic and consular relations, including visa processing, run through the Embassy of Bulgaria in New Delhi. Bulgaria does maintain an Honorary Consul in Kathmandu for limited assistance, but visa applications themselves go through New Delhi via VFS Global.
Fee: Around EUR 90 for a short-stay Schengen visa (EU-wide standard rate); long-stay visas cost more. VFS Global service charges apply separately.
Processing: Typically 15-20 business days for short-stay visas, extending to around 60 days for long-stay applications in peak periods — apply well ahead of travel.
Stay: Up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area.
Steps
Confirm Bulgaria is your main destination — This determines whether you apply through Bulgaria's consular process — it isn't a free choice if you're visiting several Schengen countries.
Check the current application channel for Nepal — Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.bg) lists current Schengen visa procedures — confirm which visa centre handles Nepal-based applications.
Book an appointment and submit biometrics — Submit the Schengen application form, photos, and fingerprints (reused if given within the past 5 years for a prior Schengen visa).
Pay the fee and wait for a decision — Standard processing is up to 15 calendar days, though it can extend to 30-45 days in individual cases.
Documents
Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area, with at least 2 blank pages
Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
One recent ICAO-compliant passport photo (white background, taken within 6 months)
Copy of your Nepali citizenship certificate/ID and all used passport pages
Confirmed round-trip flight reservation and a day-by-day travel itinerary
Accommodation proof for every night of the trip (hotel booking, rental confirmation, or a signed invitation letter from your host)
Travel/medical insurance valid across the whole Schengen area, covering at least EUR 30,000, including emergency medical treatment and repatriation
Original bank statement covering the last 3-6 months (requirement varies by country — 6 months is the safer default), stamped and signed by the bank on every page
If employed: employer letter confirming your position, salary and approved leave, plus your last 3 months' salary slips
If self-employed: PAN/business registration and 6 months' business bank statements
If retired: pension statements or other proof of income covering the last 3 months
Income tax return (ITR) for the last 1-2 years, requested by some Schengen countries (e.g. Austria asks for 2 years)
Property ownership documents (lalpurja) and property tax clearance, as supporting evidence of ties to Nepal — not mandatory everywhere, but explicitly requested by some missions (e.g. the Czech checklist for Nepal names this directly)
Certified English translation for any submitted document that isn't already in English, French, German or Spanish
Yes — Bulgaria and Romania became full Schengen members on 1 January 2025 when land border checks were lifted, so the standard Schengen visa now applies.