Bulgaria: Information on the procedure to exit the country from the Sofia airport when departing on an international flight to a non-communist country
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 December 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | BGR19150.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Bulgaria: Information on the procedure to exit the country from the Sofia airport when departing on an international flight to a non-communist country, 1 December 1994, BGR19150.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab7c84.html [accessed 10 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided in a 2 December 1994 interview with the consul of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ottawa. This information is accurate as of October 1989.
In order to leave Bulgaria from Sofia Airport, a citizen is required to hold a valid external passport, which is used for travel abroad, and a valid visa, should one be required for the country of destination. This requirement is true for travel to both communist and non-communist countries. Once the citizen has his external passport, he can leave the country for any destination. He is not required to inform any government ministry or authority of his intention to leave.
The citizen must produce a valid external passport in order for the airline to issue his ticket. It is the responsibility of the airline to ensure that the traveller has the necessary visa, if one is required. A heavy fine is levied against an airline that flies a traveller without it.
The Ministry of the Interior issues two types of passports. The internal passport is issued to any citizen over the age of 16, and is used as an identification document. It contains the personal information of the bearer, including name, address, family status and work address. The external passport is issued to any citizen, regardless of age, who wishes to travel abroad. Although valid for five years, the external passport can be extended for one year if the citizen is temporarily abroad at the time its expires. Should the citizen hold dual citizenship or live abroad permanently, the external passport can also be extended for five years.
The above information is also true for a citizen who wishes to leave Bulgaria by car, the only additional requirement being that he obtains the green card insurance, without which he cannot leave.
Please consult the attachment for additional information.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ottawa. 2 December 1994. Telephone interview with consul.
Attachment
World Human Rights Guide. 1992. 3rd ed. Compiled by Charles Humana. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 52-54.
Additional Sources Consulted
Country Reports of Human Rights Practices. Yearly. 1993.
Critique: Review of Department of State's Country Reports of Human Rights Practices. Yearly. 1993.
Travel Information Manual [Hooffdorp, The Netherlands]. Monthly. December 1994.
On-line search of media sources.
