Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Number of refused US visas for Bulgarians declining

Photo: library

The United States refused to issue entry visas to 9.75% of all applications submitted by Bulgarians in 2019, according to the European Commission. Statistics show a steady decline in refusals - from 17.3% in 2015, to 16.9% in 2016, 14.97% in 2017 and 11.32% in 2018. 
In order for the visa regime to be lifted the number of refused visas should remain steady below three percent, or stay below 2% for two consecutive years, the European Commission said. Romania also reports a drop in refused visas to 9.11% in 2019. Bulgaria and Romania for the first time hit a rate below 10%, the European Commission points out. For Cyprus, refusals are below 3%, and for Croatia - 4.02%. The four countries are the only EU Member States, whose citizens need visas to travel to the United States.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Academician Georgi Markov is pictured with Petar Beron (L).

Intellectuals propose a monument to Khan Asparuh on the site of the former Soviet Army monument

An initiative committee led by the historian Georgi Markov, has proposed that a monument to Khan Asparuh, the founder of the Bulgarian state, be erected on the site of the former Soviet Army Monument in Sofia, in order to serve as a unifying symbol for..

published on 10/13/25 3:51 PM
Education Minister Krasimir Valchev

Education minister proposes public debate on banning social media for under-15s

Education Minister Krasimir Valchev is set to propose a public debate on banning social media for children under 15, reports BNR correspondent Nezabravka Kirova from Silistra, where the minister officially opened the new gym at the Atanas Burov..

published on 10/13/25 2:39 PM
The seven hostages are pictured above. Matan Angrest is third from the left in the top row.

Bulgarian citizen among hostages released in Gaza

Matan Angrest, who holds Bulgarian and Israeli citizenship, was among the twenty hostages released by Hamas in the Gaza Strip , the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on X. He was one of seven detainees freed early this morning. Thirteen more..

published on 10/13/25 2:06 PM