Our consular team joined the Bulgarian Red Cross, fellow diplomatic missions, and the Consular Association to strengthen cooperation on safety and emergency preparedness for foreign nationals in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Red Cross shared an overview of its services, including disaster response, water and mountain rescue, first aid and basic life support training, and help for people affected by emergencies. Participants also traded practical advice on water safety, avoiding injuries in the mountains, and what to do in an emergency. We work closely with our Bulgarian partners so that U.S. citizens in Bulgaria can get timely, reliable, and potentially life-saving information. 👉 Traveling or living in Bulgaria? Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov to get safety updates. In an emergency, dial 112.

Human trafficking is a crime that exploits vulnerable people for profit, and combating it requires strong institutions, effective law enforcement, victim protection, and international cooperation. The U.S. Department of State has released its 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, which examines government efforts around the world to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and hold traffickers accountable. The report also underscores the importance of identifying victims early and ensuring they receive the support they need so traffickers can be successfully investigated and prosecuted. The United States remains committed to working with Bulgaria and partners around the world to combat human trafficking and protect those most at risk. Read the 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report at the link in the comments.

Austin Peay State University and Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” signed a new academic partnership supporting student and faculty exchanges, with a focus on security policy, and bilateral cooperation. More than 30 years of partnership, now reaching a new generation.

The U.S. Embassy will be closed today, Monday, October 12, in observance of Columbus Day. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, October 13.

From September 28 to October 4, Bulgarian authorities and international partners carried out BALKAN BRIDGE 2, a large-scale operation targeting human trafficking, weapons, narcotics, undeclared currency, excise goods, and other contraband at key border crossings across Bulgaria. U.S. Diplomatic Security personnel worked alongside Bulgarian and European law enforcement partners at Ruse, Kapitan Andreevo, Kulata, and Kalotina, with Frontex coordinating the operation and Europol providing support. The operation focused not only on individual seizures, but also on identifying the wider criminal networks behind cross-border trafficking and strengthening real-time information sharing among participating countries. BALKAN BRIDGE 2 builds on the first phase of the initiative and reflects the strong security cooperation between Bulgaria, the United States, and our European partners. #SaferTogether

Thank you, Foreign Minister Petrova, for hosting today’s International Corridor VIII Conference.  The United States sees Corridor VIII as a smart investment in a stronger, more self-reliant Southeast Europe.  It makes allies more secure and more prosperous and opens new opportunities for American businesses. John Griswold from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (@DFCgov) highlighted how U.S. financial tools can advance commercial opportunities for the United States, our allies, and partners. @MFABulgaria

Chief Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov, Chief Secretary of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior, met with U.S. Border Patrol Chief Rosario Vasquez to discuss common border security challenges, border management, and ways to deepen cooperation between Bulgarian and U.S. authorities. The conversation focused on practical next steps, including joint training and expert exchanges that can give both sides first-hand insight into each other’s approaches and strengthen cooperation in the field. #SaferTogether 📷 Credit to: @MIBulgaria

If you are arrested your U.S. Visa: - may be revoked - you may be deported, and - you could be ineligible for other visas.

It is your responsibility to use your visa correctly. Some activities that ARE ALLOWED on a B1/B2 visitor visa: ✅ Tourism ✅ Vacation (holiday) ✅ Shopping ✅ Visiting with friends or relatives ✅ Meetings with business associates ✅ Attending a convention or conference Activities NOT ALLOWED on a B1/B2 visitor visa: ❌ Birth tourism (travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child) ❌ Work that results in payment from a U.S. employer or business ❌ Studying for a degree or academic credit ❌ Paid performances

Misrepresenting facts and providing fake documents can result in a permanent lifetime ban from entering the United States as well as criminal prosecution.

The U.S. Embassy joined @AmChamBulgaria's business breakfast with more than 250 business leaders and officials. U.S.-Bulgaria trade grew over 40% last year, and the next chapter is AI, data centers, and semiconductors. Full report: t.ly/mK5n6

The Embassy will be closed today, Tuesday, September 22, in observance of Bulgaria's Independence Day. We will resume regular operations on Wednesday, September 23.

The Embassy continues to support efforts to strengthen Bulgaria’s capacity to investigate complex cybercrime and digital piracy cases. From September 14 to 18, the @dojphofficial and the Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office brought together more than 50 Bulgarian prosecutors, investigators, and judges for two specialized workshops on cybercrime, cryptocurrency investigations, digital evidence, and intellectual property enforcement. Presenters included U.S. cyber forensics experts, attorneys, Bulgarian investigative magistrates, and academics. The trainings support Bulgaria’s newly established national network of prosecutors and investigative magistrates specializing in cybercrime and cyber-enabled intellectual property offenses. The network was developed with sustained support from DOJ’s International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) team in Bucharest and was inspired in part by the U.S. CHIP model. The workshops also build on strong U.S.-Bulgarian law enforcement cooperation, including the coordinated operation in January 2026 against three major EU torrent-tracker sites that distributed pirated U.S. movies and television content. #SaferTogether