PHOTO GUIDE
Applying for a Bulgaria short-stay visa from Japan
Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) applications for Bulgaria from Japan are received directly by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tokyo (Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku). An advance appointment is required, booked by phone or email. The embassy's Japanese-language page lists the required documents including "1 photo (size: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, background: white)". VFS Global visa application centres are not used for applications from Japan. The full photo rules are on the global Bulgaria photo requirements page.
Last Updated: 2026-08-15
Quick requirements
- Who this is for: applicants legally residing in Japan whose sole or main destination (longest stay), or first point of entry on a tie, is Bulgaria. Japanese passport holders are visa-exempt for up to 90 days under the bilateral agreement, so this route is for visa-required nationals resident in Japan. Long-stay (Type D) visas are out of scope.
- Where to apply: the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tokyo (5-36-3 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku). An advance appointment is required — book by phone (03-6731-3065) or email ([email protected]). Consular reception is Monday-Friday 10:00-12:00 (15:00-17:00 only with special permission of the Consular Section).
- Timing: applications are accepted from 3 months before the intended travel date. Applications are in principle lodged personally (the ministry's central page also allows submission through an authorized agent; minors apply via their legal representative).
- Photo: the embassy's required-documents page specifies "1 photo (size: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, background: white)". The dimensions match the global standard (35×45 mm), but the Japan window specifies a white background. No photo-recency rule is stated on the Japan page.
- Fee: EUR 90 for a short-stay (Type C) visa. Children aged 6 and under 12 are exempt from the visa fee (a Bulgaria-specific rule). Fees are not refunded if the visa is refused. Payment is by MUFG bank transfer or in Japanese yen cash.
- Documents: a visa application form filled in beforehand, a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended entry (plus a copy), one photo, travel insurance of at least EUR 30,000 valid in the EU, tickets, accommodation bookings, proof of sufficient funds (EUR 50/day), and purpose-specific attachments.
- If you will also stay in other Schengen states, apply at the embassy of the country of the longest stay (embassy page note).
Who applies where
This page is for applicants legally residing in Japan who need a Schengen visa (Type C) for a short stay in Bulgaria. Bulgaria joined the Schengen agreement on 31 March 2024 and applies the EU's common visa policy (as the embassy's page states). Apply at Bulgaria when Bulgaria is the sole destination, the main destination (longest stay), or the first point of entry on a tie.
Japanese passport holders can stay up to 90 days visa-free under the current bilateral agreement, so the steps on this page are for visa-required nationals resident in Japan. If your itinerary includes other Schengen states, apply at the embassy of the country where you will stay longest (per the embassy's note).
Where to apply: the Embassy of Bulgaria in Tokyo receives directly
Applications from Japan are received directly by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tokyo (5-36-3 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku). An advance appointment is required: book by phone (03-6731-3065) or email ([email protected]). The Consular Section receives visitors Monday-Friday 10:00-12:00 (15:00-17:00 only in special cases with the Consular Section's permission). There is no residency-based jurisdiction split.
VFS Global visa application centres are not used for applications from Japan. Bulgaria's ministry lists the countries and cities served by its Visa Application Centres (operated by VFS Global), and Japan is not included. The embassy itself is the only reception point in Japan.
Required documents
The embassy's page (in Japanese) lists: a visa application form filled out in advance (the harmonised Schengen form); a passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended entry date and a copy of it; a copy of the most recent Schengen, UK or US visa if any; one photo (size: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, background: white); travel insurance valid in the EU with coverage of at least EUR 30,000 including repatriation in case of death; proof of entry/exit tickets; proof of accommodation or hotel bookings; proof of sufficient funds for the stay (EUR 50/day, e.g. a bank balance certificate); the visa fee; and purpose-specific attachments (a simple itinerary for tourism, an authenticated invitation for business or private visits, host invitations for sports events or conferences).
Applications are accepted from 3 months before the intended travel date. They are in principle lodged personally, though the ministry's central page also allows submission through an authorized agent (except in humanitarian cases); minors' applications are lodged by their legal representative.
Photo requirements: 35×45 mm with a white background at the Japan window
The embassy's required-documents page specifies the photo as "1 (size: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, background: white)". The dimensions are identical to the global Bulgaria standard (35×45 mm, full colour, full face with the face taking up 70-80% of the photo). Because the Japan window specifies a white background, prepare the print on a white background — white also satisfies the ministry's "light-coloured background" rule.
The Japan page states no photo-recency requirement. For the shared quality rules (frontal pose, neutral expression, no shadows), see the global Bulgaria photo requirements page. A print made with the photo tool's Bulgaria mode (35×45 mm, light monochromatic background) also satisfies the Japan window's requirement as long as the background is white.
Fee and payment
The visa fee is EUR 90 for both airport transit (A) and short-stay (C) visas. Children aged 6 and under 12 are exempt from the visa fee — a Bulgaria-specific exemption. Collected charges are not refunded if the visa is refused.
Since 1 May 2023, payment has been possible by bank transfer to the embassy's MUFG Bank account (Shibuya branch) or in Japanese yen cash (embassy news). The embassy's page lists only "visa fee" without a yen amount, so confirm the payable amount with the embassy when booking. Long-stay (Type D) visas carry different fees and procedures.
How to use the official sources
Short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa applications for Bulgaria from Japan are received directly by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tokyo (Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku), with an advance appointment by phone (03-6731-3065) or email ([email protected]) and consular reception Monday-Friday 10:00-12:00. The embassy's Japanese page governs the required documents including the photo (one copy, {commonWidthCm}×{commonHeightCm} cm, white background); the ministry's central pages govern the fee (EUR 90, exempt for children 6 to under 12, non-refundable) and the 3-month application window. Payment is by MUFG bank transfer or yen cash. No external provider is used in Japan. Fees, reception arrangements and checklists can change, so confirm the latest information with the embassy and the Bulgarian ministry before applying.
shoumei.org helps users prepare photo files based on publicly available requirements. It does not submit visa applications, and it is not an official government service, Schengen authority, embassy, consulate, VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International service. Please verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or visa application center before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I submit a Bulgaria visa application in Japan?
At the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tokyo (5-36-3 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku), with an advance appointment booked by phone (03-6731-3065) or email ([email protected]). Consular reception is Monday-Friday 10:00-12:00. There is no jurisdiction split; applicants from anywhere in Japan apply in Tokyo.
Is VFS Global used?
No. VFS Global visa application centres are not used for applications from Japan — the Bulgarian ministry's list of Visa Application Centre locations does not include Japan, and the embassy receives applications directly. No provider service fee applies.
How many photos do I need, and what are the specs?
The embassy's required documents list "1 photo (size: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, background: white)". 3.5×4.5 cm is the same 35×45 mm size as the global Bulgaria standard; because the Japan window specifies a white background, prepare a 35×45 mm print on a white background.
How much is the visa fee? What about children?
EUR 90 for a short-stay (Type C) visa. Children aged 6 and under 12 are exempt from the visa fee (a Bulgaria-specific rule). The fee is not refunded if the visa is refused. Confirm the yen amount with the embassy when booking.
How do I pay the fee?
Since 1 May 2023, payment has been possible by bank transfer to the embassy's MUFG Bank (Shibuya branch) account or in Japanese yen cash, per the embassy's news release. Confirm the current payment method and amount with the embassy before your appointment.
When can I apply?
From 3 months before the intended travel date. Applications are in principle lodged personally; the ministry's central page also allows submission through an authorized agent. If you will also stay in other Schengen states, apply at the embassy of the country of the longest stay.
Do Japanese passport holders need a visa?
No — under the current bilateral visa-waiver arrangement between Bulgaria and Japan, Japanese passport holders can stay up to 90 days without a visa. The steps on this page are for visa-required nationals resident in Japan.
Are fingerprints taken?
The embassy and ministry pages currently state nothing about fingerprints or other biometric collection for applications in Japan. Confirm the procedures at your appointment, including whether biometrics will be taken, directly with the embassy.
Official and submission sources
- Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Japan — Travel within 90 days (for non-Japanese nationals)（2026-08-15再取得: シェンゲンビザの申請には事前予約が必要。電話（03-6731-3065）またはメール（[email protected]）。他のシェンゲン加盟国に滞在する予定の場合は最長滞在国の大使館で申請。必要書類: 事前入力済みビザ申請書、パスポート（入国予定日から6か月以上有効）とコピー、過去のシェンゲン/英国/米国ビザのコピー、写真1枚（サイズ: 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm、背景: 白色）、EUで有効な3万ユーロ以上の旅行保険、入出国チケット等、宿泊証明、資金証明（50ユーロ/日・銀行残高証明書）、ビザ料金、目的別追加書類） (used for: application channel, appointment system, photo copy count, photo requirements, jurisdiction notes) Checked: 2026-08-15
- Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Japan（日本語サイト・2026-08-15再取得: 領事部受付時間 月〜金10:00-12:00（特別な事情により領事部の許可がある場合のみ15:00-17:00）、事前の電話予約を案内） (used for: appointment system, submission offices) Checked: 2026-08-15
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria (mfa.bg) — Visa for Bulgaria (2026-08-15 re-verified: visas are issued by the diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Bulgaria; application forms are submitted not earlier than 3 months before the intended travel, personally or through an authorized agent; the Visa Application Centers operated by VFS Global are listed for specific countries and cities and Japan is not included; a full colour photograph 3,5 cm х 4,5 cm against light-colored background with the face taking up 70-80%) (used for: application channel, jurisdiction notes, photo requirements) Checked: 2026-08-15
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria (mfa.bg) — Consular fees (2026-08-15 re-verified: when submitting an application for airport transit or short-term stay a fee of EUR 90 shall be collected; children between 6 and under 12 years of age are exempt; the charges collected are not refundable in case the applicant is refused a visa) (used for: visa fee) Checked: 2026-08-15
- Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Japan — Phased out transition towards cashless payment (news 2023-04-20: from 1 May 2023, in accordance with the Schengen requirements, consular fees can be paid by bank transfer — MUFG Bank, Shibuya branch 135, account 2642026; the opportunity for cash payment in Japanese yen remains available) (used for: visa fee) Checked: 2026-08-15
shoumei.org helps users prepare photo files based on publicly available requirements. It does not submit visa applications, and it is not an official government service, Schengen authority, embassy, consulate, VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International service. Please verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or visa application center before submitting.
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