Bulgaria starts issuing startup visas
Source：Investor BG
From：Taiwan Trade Center, Sofia
Update Time：2023/03/05
The document will be issued to non-EU citizens to develop a high-tech business in Bulgaria and will be valid for one year.
The Ministry of Innovation and Growth (MIG) begins the process of issuing a certificate for a high-tech and innovative project, or the so-called startup visa.
Under the new administrative service, foreign citizens (outside the European Union) who want to start innovative businesses using high technologies and developing research and development activities can apply. MIR accelerated the preparation for the issue, and instead of the planned 6-month period for publishing the application conditions, the application is opened 2 months ahead of schedule.
A questionnaire is filled in, in which the entrepreneur must note what his company is, his idea, which markets he is targeting, whether he already has an investor, patents, customers, etc. After reviewing the documents and evaluating the project by an Expert Council, including representatives of the state, the scientific community and business, a certificate for a high-tech or innovative project will be issued. Its validity is 1 year, but it can be extended afterwards to 2 additional years, the ministry specifies.
"MIR also worked for the entrepreneurs. After 5 years of efforts, Bulgaria now has a startup visa. Like all European developed countries. This will allow investors from outside the EU to develop high technologies in Bulgaria, hire Bulgarian talents and create jobs", commented the Minister of Innovation and Growth Alexander Pulev on the occasion of the start of the procedure.
The issuance of a startup visa is based on the Law on Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as on the Ordinance developed by the MIR on the terms and conditions for issuing, extending and revoking a certificate for a high-tech or innovative project. We remind you that the Ordinance was adopted by Resolution No. 318 of the Council of Ministers of October 7, 2022.
The certificate is an official document that makes it possible to issue a long-term residence permit to foreigners who want to develop an innovative or high-tech business in our country.
Submitting the documents and applying can be done through the SUNI (National Investment Management System) platform at https://enims.egov.bg/en , using an electronic signature.
Until October 7, 2022, Bulgaria was the only EU country without an established legal order for issuing a startup visa, and efforts in this direction have been made for over 5 years. MIR emphasizes the contribution of the Bulgarian Startup Association BESCO in the preparation and successful introduction of the Startup visa in our country.
Information on applying for a startup visa is published on the website of the Ministry of Innovation and Growth.
Bulgaria joined almost half of the countries of the European Union that can issue so-called startup visas, after the Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Bulgarian Citizenship adopted at the end of February was published in the latest issue of the State Gazette.
Source: https://www.investor.bg/a/516-politika/369571-balgariya-zapochva-izdavaneto-na-startap-vizi