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Government approves amendments to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act

Photo: BTA

At its meeting today, the government approved a a bill to amend the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, the Government Information Service reported. The amendments are aimed at bringing the law in line with EU and European Parliament acts on the entry and residence of foreigners in the country and to ease the requirements for entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment, seasonal work and internships.

The approved text standardises the requirements for foreigners applying for permanent residence and optimises the procedure for granting long-term residence to investors. 

The draft amendments provide for penalties for administrative violations by foreigners who fail to comply with the legislation in force regulating the right to reside and work in Bulgaria. Employers will no longer be required to provide proof of the foreigner's residence address in the first set of documents submitted when applying for a residence permit. Such proof will only be required after the foreigner has entered Bulgarian territory.

The law will be amended to exclude the possibility of granting residence permits to foreigners wishing to carry out non-profit activities in Bulgaria.

The amendments must be approved by the National Assembly before they come into force.



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