Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | B-2 visitor visa |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate |
| Where to apply | Online DS-160 form, then an interview |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Bulgaria is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, so a holiday in Manhattan requires a B-2 visitor visa. Bulgarian citizens apply with the DS-160 form and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate before travel. Plan the application before booking anything that cannot be changed, and check travel.state.gov for current requirements.
What the status means
Bulgarian citizens travel to the United States on a visa, not under the Visa Waiver Program. For a holiday in Manhattan the category is the B-2 visitor visa. The route runs through the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate, usually the one covering your place of residence. The visa goes in the passport before the trip.
An earlier trip or a second passport does not change the requirement. Bulgarian citizens need the visa in the passport before boarding a flight to the United States. Airline staff check it at check-in, and US Customs and Border Protection checks it again on arrival. Apply early enough that the passport is back in hand before the travel dates, and keep the visa page undamaged.
Before you fly and on arrival
The interview is the main hurdle. Book it as soon as the DS-160 is submitted, and carry the confirmation page, the passport, a photo if the consulate asks for one, and papers that explain the trip and the ties that bring you back to Bulgaria. Answer briefly and truthfully. Check travel.state.gov for the current document list and the rules at the consulate you choose.
Trips from Bulgaria usually connect through a European hub before landing at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark. On arrival, passport control is a US Customs and Border Protection inspection, not a second visa interview. Officers ask about the purpose and length of the stay and about the return ticket. Keep the hotel booking and the return reservation easy to reach. Expect fingerprints and a photograph.
Staying in Manhattan
Hotels in Manhattan ask for a passport at check-in, and some ask for a credit card for incidentals. A visa does not guarantee entry, so carry documents that match the plan described at the interview: the hotel confirmation, the return or onward ticket and a rough outline of the days in the city. Keep copies of the passport and visa separately.
Getting into the city from the airports is straightforward: trains, buses and taxis all serve Manhattan, and the choice depends on the airport and the hour. Check the current fare and any service changes with the operator before setting out. Once in Manhattan, the subway reaches most of the sights, and walking is often quicker than a short car ride.
Longer stays, work or study
A B-2 visa covers a visit, not employment or a course of study. Bulgarian citizens who plan to work, enroll in a full course or stay for a longer period need a different visa category, with its own form and interview. Do not travel on a visitor visa with the intention of working or enrolling. Check travel.state.gov for the category that fits the plan.
Rules, forms and requirements change, and this page does not issue visas or give legal advice. Confirm everything on travel.state.gov and with the US embassy or consulate that handles Bulgarian applicants before paying anything or booking travel. If a plan changes while an application is pending, say so at the interview and keep the answer consistent with the documents you carry.
How to apply for a visitor visa
- Complete the DS-160 online form for the B-2 visitor visa, answering every question from the passport and the travel plan.
- Pay the visa application fee through the official channel named on travel.state.gov, and keep the receipt for the interview.
- Book an interview appointment at the US embassy or consulate that serves Bulgarian applicants, using the official system.
- Attend the interview with the passport, the DS-160 confirmation page, a photo and papers that explain the trip and the ties to Bulgaria.
- Wait for the passport to come back with the visa before booking anything that cannot be changed.
- Fly to New York and show the passport, visa and return ticket to US Customs and Border Protection on arrival.
Documents to carry
- Passport with the B-2 visa inside
- Printed DS-160 confirmation page with the barcode visible
- Hotel confirmation for each night in Manhattan
- Return or onward ticket showing the plan to leave the United States
Bulgarian citizens: questions
Do Bulgarian citizens need a visa to visit Manhattan?
Yes. Bulgaria is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a B-2 visitor visa is required for a holiday in Manhattan. Apply with the online DS-160 form, attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate, and carry the visa in the passport when flying to New York.
How early should Bulgarian citizens start a Manhattan visa application?
Start well before the travel dates and leave room for the interview slot and for the passport to come back. Appointment availability changes, so check the embassy or consulate page and travel.state.gov for the current position. Book nothing that cannot be changed until the passport with the visa is in hand.
Where do Bulgarian citizens go for the visa interview?
Interviews take place at a US embassy or consulate, usually the one that serves the applicant's place of residence. Bulgarian citizens normally apply in Sofia, and applicants who live elsewhere apply at the mission covering that country. Book the slot through the official appointment system and check the consulate's own page for the documents it wants.
Can Bulgarian citizens work in Manhattan on a visitor visa?
No. A B-2 visa covers a visit, and work or a full course of study needs a different category with its own form and interview. Bulgarian citizens who plan to work or study in the United States should find the correct visa on travel.state.gov first, and should not enter on a visitor visa with that intention.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.