site.bta Government Puts up for Public Discussion Revisions to Foreigners Act

Government Puts up for Public Discussion Revisions toForeigners Act

Sofia, March 22 (BTA) - The government has put up for public discussion revisions to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act which will tighten the rules for granting long-term Bulgarian visas and will introduce the status of "stateless person".

The bill can be viewed in the government portal for public discussion and is open for discussion until April 4.

The changes regulate the taking of biometrics, the issue of cards which certify privileges and immunity and sojourn permits for staff members of diplomatic or consular representations, or offices of international organizations in Bulgaria, as well as the members of their families.

The revisions reinstate regulations from before 2013 when the Foreigners Act was changed to remove the spouses of accredited officials from the scope of its application.

The changes also provide for the establishment of an electronic register by the Foreign Ministry with the cards issued to members of the staff of diplomatic or consular representations and offices of international organizations in Bulgaria, and their family members.

Such registration will be communicated with the Interior Ministry, the Finance Ministry (for tax waiver purposes) and the State Agency for National Security.

The proposed changes also concern the appeal of visa refusals and say such appeals shall be made by the Code of Administrative Procedure. This change is expected to enhance the efforts of preventing the use of Bulgaria as a transit country by persons who intend to participate or have already participated in terrorist actions or terrorist groups.

In respect to persons applying for a long-term Bulgarian visa on grounds of conducting business activity in this country, the revisions introduce a new requirement for such persons to create 10 full-time jobs.

More stringent requirements are also proposed for persons who apply for a long-term visa in their capacity as representatives of a foreign company. The authorities will check the business activity of such foreign companies, including its turnover and origin of capital. This is expected to eliminate abuses of the rights that the law gives to foreigners willing to settle permanently in Bulgaria.