Visa refusal and reapplying

Russian citizens applying for Schengen visas (especially to Bulgaria) are frequently receiving refusals under "point 7" if their employer is sanctioned, connected to defense industries, or has significant government contracts. Property ownership in Bulgaria does not mitigate this risk. If a visa is refused on these grounds, applicants are advised to wait 6 months before applying to another Schengen country, potentially with a new employment certificate or a new passport. Bulgarian consulates specifically (and possibly others) require an electronic work record from Gosuslugi/SFR for applicants over 18, regardless of employment status, though requirements for this document can vary by visa center and agent (e.g., sometimes requested for working, sometimes only for unemployed). To check for government contracts that might lead to issues, resources like checko.ru (under "Госзакупки" section) can be used. Processing times can be extended due to additional checks.

Bulgarian visa applications can be refused under point 7, 'threat to national security', even for individuals with no current ties to sensitive organizations, if their past employment history, however distant, is deemed relevant. Past travel to Schengen countries with no issues does not guarantee future visa issuance. Diplomatic relations and specific bilateral agreements can influence visa decisions, as evidenced by France potentially issuing visas while Bulgaria denies them under similar circumstances. Rejection based on national security grounds may be final, with appeals considered futile by some.

Visa applications for Bulgaria can be successful after a previous refusal. Applicants can reapply with a new passport, provided they include previous visas from the old passport as supporting documentation.

Applicants rejected for a Bulgarian visa, especially under Article 7 (security threat), often find appeals unhelpful. Common reasons for refusal are often unclear, impacting property owners and employees of state corporations, even if not directly sanctioned. Following a Bulgarian refusal, Italy and Hungary are frequently recommended as countries more likely to issue Schengen visas. Some suggest that 'Five Eyes' extraterritorial sanctions may also play a role in visa decisions for those working in state-affiliated roles.

Consular scrutiny for Bulgarian visas is increasing, particularly for applicants associated with Russian state research or educational institutions (like MAI) that may appear on international sanctions lists, even if not explicitly restricted by the EU.

Visa refusals under 'Point 7' typically relate to 'threat to national security.' This often applies to individuals working in or associated with sanctioned state-owned enterprises, defense industries, or government entities. While there isn't a single public registry, information regarding these grounds can be found through official visa regulations and by observing common reasons for rejection. Individuals who have had a Point 7 refusal may face difficulties obtaining other visa types, such as a Type D visa, with subsequent applications noting the prior refusal.

Reapplying for a US visa after a previous refusal is possible. The decision to reapply should be based on the specific reason for the initial refusal, which is always stated in the official refusal form. A missed call from the embassy is generally not considered a valid reason for visa denial. Applicants with a history of successfully used visas have reapplied and obtained new visas several months after a refusal (e.g., 10 months).

Applicants employed by large state-owned entities or sanctioned companies often receive Bulgarian visa refusals citing 'point 7' (security/public order concerns). Appeals are rarely successful in these cases. Applicants are advised to either change employment or apply through the consulate of a different Schengen country with more lenient vetting criteria.