site.btaConsulates Handling More Tourist and Work Visa Applications to Get Staff Boost

Deputy Foreign Minister Maria Anguelieva said steps were being taken to boost the staff of consulates handling more applications for tourist and work visas. She met with representatives of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Tourism (BUBSPA), the Foreign Ministry said on its website on Friday.

Anguelieva initiated the meeting with BUBSPA Vice-President Zhivko Ivanov and Secretary General Tsvetina Ivanova following a statement by President Siyka Katsarova about problems with tourist visas.

The Deputy Minister stressed that the Foreign Ministry continues its efforts to achieve full Schengen membership and must strictly implement the EU requirements for examining visa applications, as well as for review of the complete set of documents required from each applicant for a Schengen visa.

The participants also discussed measures that would improve communication and lead to faster visa issuance. Anguelieva explained the procedure and the steps to be followed. Concrete proposals were made to serve as a basis for the tourism industry in the issuance of visas to foreigners wishing to visit Bulgaria as tourists.