RWC 2025
Since 1 January 2007, the Republic of Bulgaria has been implementing the Common Visa Policy of the European Union under the conditions laid down in the Act of Accession.
According to Council Decision (EU) 2024/210 of 30 December 2023 on the full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania, as of 31 March 2024, the Republic of Bulgaria is part of the Schengen area by initially abolishing checks on persons at internal air and sea borders.
The Council will endeavour to take a decision on the abolition of checks on persons at internal land borders. This decision will be taken by the Council, acting unanimously in accordance with Article 4(2) of the 2005 Act of Accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania.
From 31 March 2024, the Republic of Bulgaria issues uniform (Schengen) visas valid throughout the Schengen area. A Schengen visa issued by the Republic of Bulgaria after 31 March 2024 will allow its holder to travel throughout the Schengen area in accordance with the Schengen rules (no more than 90 days in any 180-day period), regardless of internal land border checks. The short-term stay (90 days in any 180 days) within the Schengen area begins to be counted from the moment of entry into the territory of Schengen, including for the Republic of Bulgaria.
Visa applications forms are submitted not earlier than 3 months before the date of the intended travel, personally or through an authorized agent, with the exception of humanitarian cases. Visa applications for minors or judicially disabled persons shall be submitted by their legal representatives or by persons expressly authorized to do so. Visa applications for underage persons or persons with limited judicial disability shall be submitted by their legal representatives, trustees or by persons expressly authorized to do so.
You can find detailed information about who needs a visa for Bulgaria and how to apply at the website of the consular services of Bulgaria. Participants who require an official letter of invitation for visa application purposes should contact the general chair as soon as possible to provide their personal and passport information including:
Please note that all requests for invitation letters will be automatically rejected if the applicant has not completed their registration and payment first.
Applicants who are not existing IACR members and/or have not attended RWC previously should also include a reference with their email contact information (e.g. a faculty member/graduate advisor, existing IACR member, previous RWC attendee) who can attest to the applicant's legitimate interest to attend the conference.