The National Board of Tourism (NBT) has requested a meeting with Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Dimitar Glavchev and Tourism Minister Evtim Miloshev to ask them to address delays in issuing work permits for third-country nationals and the urgent need to expand the capacity of consulates handling these applications.
"Despite assurances from the Foreign Ministry, the problem remains unsolved, with some applications submitted as early as December 2023 still pending. The shortage of personnel and capacity, coupled with the complicated work permit issuance process, has left hotels and restaurants understaffed and unable to handle the normal operation of the summer tourist season," the organization wrote in a position addressed to the PM and the Tourism Minister.
NBT warns that the issue affects both the quality of services provided and the image of Bulgaria as a tourist destination. It is a serious problem with long-term consequences, the Board argues.
Last week, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) stressed the need to ease third-country nationals hiring rules. BCCI proposed an option for work permit interviews online, which will speed up and facilitate the process of hiring third-country workers.
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