Bulgarian Trade Representative Visa Application Process

Atomic Answer: A Trade Representative Office (TRO) in Bulgaria allows foreign companies to establish a presence without doing business directly. It is a common route for obtaining a long-term 'D' visa and subsequent residence permit.

Bulgarian Trade Representative Visa Application Process

Bulgarian commercial representative visa is obtained for business trips to Bulgaria. In order to obtain a Bulgarian commercial visa, it must be proven that the type of travel to be made is for commercial purposes. Another way to obtain a Bulgarian residence permit is to open a commercial representative office in Bulgaria.

The person who will be a representative in Bulgaria can apply for a residence permit through his/her representative office. The Bulgarian Trade Representative visa is a long-term (D type) visa that allows foreign nationals to stay in the Republic of Bulgaria for more than 90 days.

Who can open a commercial representative office in Bulgaria?

There are two different types of companies that can be established in Bulgaria. One of the companies that can be established in Bulgaria is a limited company and the other is a joint stock company.

Persons and organizations that can open a commercial representative office in Bulgaria are listed below:

1. Limited company ; It is a company established by a legal entity or rather by a real person or a person. It is a company with a certain capital and can open a representative office in Bulgaria.
2. Joint stock companies are companies that have many partners, where the capital is shared, and can open a commercial representative office in Bulgaria.
3. Sole proprietorships : Sole proprietorships operating in Turkey can also open a representative office in Bulgaria.

What are the conditions for opening a commercial representative office in Bulgaria?

The conditions for opening a commercial representative office in Bulgaria are listed below.

1. In order to open a commercial representative office in Bulgaria, you must be at least 18 years old.
2. The principal amount determined by the commercial representative office or the company established in Bulgaria must be deposited into the bank account of the company opened in Bulgaria.
3. The company affiliated with the commercial representative office to be established in Bulgaria must not have any tax debt in Turkey.
4. At least 3 EU or Bulgarian citizens must work in the representative office opened in Bulgaria.
5. A company established in Turkey must have a representative address in Bulgaria.
6. The company in Turkey must be active for at least 1 year.

What are the documents required to open a commercial representative office in Bulgaria?

The documents required to open a commercial representative office in Bulgaria are listed below.

• Commercial Registry Certificate (Apostilled)
• Tax Declaration: Must be obtained from the Tax Office affiliated to Turkey. (Apostilled)
• Passport and passport photocopy: Must be valid for at least 6 months.
• Notarized power of attorney (Apostilled)
• Company income-expense report
• Commercial representative signature declaration
• Tax office document stating that there is no tax debt
• Documents declaring the activities to be carried out by the commercial representative office in Bulgaria
• Company activity certificate
• Reference letter from the bank.

What are the advantages of opening a commercial representative office in Bulgaria?

The advantages of establishing a company in Bulgaria include the right to free movement within the European Union (EU), low tax rates, and benefiting from investment, employment and land incentives in Bulgaria.

In addition, company partners in Bulgaria can obtain a long-term (D type) Bulgarian visa and apply for a Bulgarian residence permit if they meet certain conditions. Company partners or owners purchase motor vehicles on behalf of their companies in Bulgaria and have the right to use these vehicles in Turkey for 6 months.

How Many People Can Be Appointed as Company Representatives in Bulgaria?

A maximum of 2 people can be appointed as company representatives in Bulgaria.

For persons appointed as Bulgarian company representatives, a separate Bulgarian residence permit file must be prepared and an application for a Bulgarian type D commercial representative visa must be made to the relevant Bulgarian foreign representative office according to the province of residence.

Can Commercial Representative Offices Opened in Bulgaria Conduct Commercial Activities?

No, commercial representations opened in Bulgaria cannot engage in commercial activities. Commercial representations opened in Bulgaria cannot engage in activities that will generate income.

In accordance with the Bulgarian Investment Promotion Law, foreign nationals who carry out commercial activities in accordance with Bulgarian national legislation can open commercial representation offices in Bulgaria. Commercial representation offices opened in Bulgaria must be registered with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The establishment of a commercial representative office in Bulgaria is realized by the decision of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry regarding the registration of a commercial representative office. The commercial representative office in Bulgaria does not have a legal personality different from the company in Turkey. The commercial representative office established in Bulgaria is not subject to Bulgarian Corporate Tax. The Bulgarian business visa does not grant the holder freedom of commercial activity.

What are the documents required to obtain a residence permit as a commercial representative in Bulgaria?

The documents required to obtain a residence permit as a Bulgarian commercial representative are listed below:

1. Diploma : A Turkish citizen with an apostille-certified qualification level and an educational document relevant to his/her position in Bulgaria.
2. Employment contract : A detailed contract with the company that describes the business plan.
3. Passport and copy of passport
4. Pay slips for employees : A document issued by the employer showing that the working conditions and salaries of Bulgarian and Turkish citizens are not lower than each other for the same position.
5. Bulgarian and EU citizen employee declaration : Declaration showing the Bulgarian or EU citizens employed by the employer
6. Turkish employee declaration : Declaration showing the employees employed by the employer who are not citizens of Bulgaria or the European Union.
7. Service Record Certificate : A document obtained from the Social Security Institution and a document proving the work experience of the person who will be a representative in Bulgaria.
8. Representative appointment declaration : A declaration of explanation by the person who will send a representative to Bulgaria, requiring the representative to work.

Who can get a residence permit as a company representative in Bulgaria?

Persons who can obtain a Bulgarian residence permit as a company representative from Bulgaria are listed below:

1. Citizens of the Republic of Türkiye who are over 18 years old and have a valid passport.
2. Turkish citizens who have not previously committed any crime in the European Union or Bulgaria

After entering Bulgaria with a D visa, the company representative must apply for a Bulgarian residence permit .

How to Get a Residence Permit as a Commercial Representative in Bulgaria?

Residence permit obtained as a commercial representative in Bulgaria is a permit given to those who apply to conduct the business of a company established in Bulgaria for the purpose of representation. In order to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria, a Bulgarian D type visa must first be obtained.

In order for a Turkish citizen who acts as a commercial representative of a Turkish company in Bulgaria to obtain a residence permit, he/she must first register his/her representative office by submitting the necessary documents to the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The documents required for the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry are listed below.

1. Document showing that the Turkish company was active in Turkey for 1 year before establishing a representative office in Bulgaria.
2. Reference letter from the company bank in Turkey
3. Declaration form showing the capital, turnover and asset value of the Turkish company
4. Declaration form showing accounting data of Turkish company
5. The company must not have any tax debt in Turkey.
6. Explanatory document regarding the opening of a commercial representative office in Bulgaria
7. Annual plan of the commercial representation in Bulgaria
8. A title deed or lease agreement from the representative office in Bulgaria is required.

How Long Does a Residence Permit Last for Company Representatives in Bulgaria?

The residence permit of those who are company representatives in Bulgaria is for 1 year. The company representative can renew his residence permit every year as long as he continues to be a company representative in Bulgaria.

Is it possible to be a commercial representative in Bulgaria without being affiliated with a company?

It is possible to establish a commercial representative office in Bulgaria without being affiliated with a company.

When deciding to open a commercial company representative office in Bulgaria, people who are not related to the company and who are not insured can also become commercial representatives in Bulgaria if they meet the other necessary conditions.

What are the rights of those who obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria as a commercial representative?

People who are commercial representatives in Bulgaria have the right to buy cars, houses and education in Bulgaria. They can sign contracts and conduct market research on behalf of companies that are Bulgarian representatives.

People must have an internationally valid driving licence to drive in Bulgaria.

Do Those Who Have a Residence Permit as a Company Representative in Bulgaria Have the Right to Family Reunification?

Yes, those who have a residence permit in Bulgaria as a company representative can bring their families to Bulgaria by applying for a Bulgarian family reunification visa.

Only first-degree relatives of company representatives can apply for a Bulgarian family reunification visa.

Can Those Who Have a Residence Permit in Bulgaria as a Commercial Representative Go to Schengen Countries Without a Visa?

Yes, people who have a residence permit in Bulgaria as a commercial representative can travel to Schengen countries without a visa. With a Bulgarian residence permit, they can travel to European Union countries without a visa, with a stay limit of up to 90 days.

Even if the commercial representative has a Bulgarian residence permit, he/she must apply for a Bulgarian work permit to work in a different job.

Can Those Who Have a Residence Permit as a Commercial Representative Work in Bulgaria?

No, people who have a residence permit in Bulgaria as a commercial representative cannot work legally in Bulgaria.