Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev announced today that the abolition of the visa regime for Bulgarian citizens traveling to the United States is a firm priority that the government aims to achieve within its four-year term. The statement was made during parliamentary control, where the minister was answering a question from MP from "Vazrazhdane" Angel Georgiev. Behind the scenes of the National Assembly, the topic of visa-free travel has long been a subject of lively debate and public anticipation, and the minister's words were met with visible interest from media representatives who are following the development of this key issue.
Government priority: Visa-free travel
According to Minister Georgiev, the inclusion of Bulgaria in the US Visa Waiver Program represents not just a political but also a long-term public priority. He emphasized that achieving this goal will contribute to a significant easing of interpersonal ties, especially with the numerous Bulgarian diaspora in the United States. Furthermore, the measure is expected to stimulate bilateral exchange in areas such as tourism, culture, and the economy.
Despite the optimistic statement, the minister was cautious in his forecasts. He noted that a specific deadline for the abolition of visas cannot be given, as this decision does not depend solely on the efforts of the Bulgarian side. The process is complex and related to the fulfillment of a number of technical conditions set by Washington.
Data and progress
One of the most important technical requirements for joining the US Visa Waiver Program is that the percentage of refused tourist visas for Bulgarian citizens does not exceed 3%. While this indicator has remained a challenge over the years, the latest data gives cause for moderate optimism. An inquiry by BTA on the website of the US State Department shows that in 2024, the percentage of refused B-type visas reached its lowest level – 6.02%. This is a significant improvement, although it is still above the required threshold. In the last two decades, since data has been available, the percentage of refused visas for Bulgarians has been below 10% only twice.
Conclusion
The government is committed to the goal of visa abolition, which is considered a key foreign policy success. The implementation of the Visa Waiver Program will not only facilitate travel but also deepen the strategic partnerships between Bulgaria and the US. Although a precise deadline cannot be given, the progress made regarding visa refusals is an encouraging sign for future negotiations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to work on fulfilling the set conditions so that this long-awaited goal can ultimately be achieved within the current government's term.