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Why the US does not cancel visas for Bulgarians

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Bulgaria and the Republic of Cyprus remain the only EU member states whose citizens will need US visas

Since 2006, the percentage of denied B-type visas for Bulgarians to the US has been below 10% twice, and in 2024 it was 6.02%, which is the lowest percentage. This is shown by a BTA report on the US State Department website.

One of the technical conditions for including our country in the US Visa Waiver Program is

the percentage of denied tourist visas for Bulgarian citizens not to exceed 3%.

The percentage of denials in 2024 – 6.02%; 2023 – 11.61%; 2022 –10.00%; 2021 – 18.40%; 2020 –12.52%; 2019 – 9.75%; 2018 – 11.32%; 2017 – 14.97%; 2016 – 16.86%; 2015 – 17.26%; 2014 – 15.2%; 2013 – 19.9%; 2012 – 18.00%; 2011 – 15.7%; 2010 – 17.2%; 2009 – 17.8%; 2008 – 13.3%; 2007 – 14.3%; 2006 – 17.5%.

The percentage of denied B visas for the United States for the fiscal year 2024 is 6.02%, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced at the end of November last year. The Foreign Ministry launched the “Visa Academy” campaign, part of the efforts to include our country in the US Visa Waiver Program.

The highest refusal rate – 19.9% was in 2013.

In 2019, it was 9.75%, according to data from the US State Department.

On January 10, the official cancellation of US visas for Romanian citizens will be announced. This will take place at a meeting in Washington between Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Romanian Ambassador to the US Andrei Muraru, the Romanian Embassy in Washington announced yesterday in a Facebook post.

As a result of the decision of the US Federal Government,

Romania will become the 43rd country included in the “Visa Waiver” program, which allows visa-free travel for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes.

On November 27, the U.S. Department of State confirmed that Romania had met the visa denial rate criterion – in fiscal year 2024 (October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024), 2.61% of Romanian applicants were denied U.S. visas.

In addition to the visa denial criterion, inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program requires the fulfillment of criteria related to the security of travel documents and information exchange, as well as the implementation of specific measures in the fight against terrorism and illegal migration.

After Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program for the United States,

Bulgaria and the Republic of Cyprus will remain the only EU member states whose citizens will require U.S. visas.

Croatia was admitted to the Visa Waiver Program in October 2021.

On November 18, Bulgarian Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivan Kondov highlighted Bulgaria‘s progress in fulfilling the criteria for the country’s inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Program during his meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma. The US side welcomed the efforts of the Bulgarian authorities in this direction and expressed confidence that the upward trend will continue.

Illustrative Photo by Sharefaith: https://www.pexels.com/photo/flag-of-america-1202723/

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stepping up partnerships for win-win outcomes and collective security

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  • EIB Group President Nadia Calviño will lead an EIB Group delegation to meet   global partners and fellow Multilateral Development Banks in Washington DC
  • Boosting strategic investment to reinforce peace, prosperity and partnerships is at the heart of the EIB Group agenda
  • Announcements to include  new investments for energy security, climate action and accelerated support for Ukraine, as well strengthening cooperation with fellow Multilateral Development Banks

An EIB Group delegation led by President Nadia Calviño will participate in the 2025 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group taking place this week in Washington DC. Vice-Presidents Ambroise Fayolle and Thomas Östros will join the EIB Group President to meet key partners in international development and finance.

Discussions will focus on building solid partnerships and deepening cooperation within the Multilateral Development Bank family.

On the margins of the Spring Meetings, the EIB Group is expected to sign agreements with partners, such as the EBRD and the World Bank Group to support sustainable development around the world.

The Group will also announce new investments with private sector partners for climate innovation in developing countries as well as financing for energy security.

Speaking ahead of the Spring Meetings, EIB President Nadia Calviño said,

“In these times of extreme volatility, we have three priorities in mind: peace, prosperity and partnership. That means support to the multilateral system, international cooperation and solid partnerships around the world, based on mutual respect and leading to win-win outcomes¨.

“Our gathering in Washington is a timely and I welcome opportunity to take stock with our partners, to coordinate our actions and work together for a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world”.

The EIB President will also take part in the International Monetary Financial Committee Plenary sessions and will join other heads of the world’s Multilateral Development Banks for discussions on increasing  the collective impact of their financing around the world.

She will also take part in the 7th Ukraine Ministerial Roundtable at the World Bank, as well as updating partners on the EIB Group’s contribution.

As part of the EU response, the EIB has disbursed €2,2 billion since Russia’s invasion, with a recent agreement with the European Commission to guarantee a further €2 billion of financing under the EU‘s Ukraine Facility. Earlier this month the EIB signed three new agreements to provide the country with €300 million to restore and repair essential services and municipal infrastructure.

For more information about the EIB Group at the WBG/IMF Spring meetings visit:

https://www.eib.org/en/events/eib-at-spring-meetings

President Calvino and the EIB Delegation will also take part in a number of policy events and discussions which include:

  • Europe’s moment: building bridges to shared prosperity. President Calviño in conversation with Cecilia Malmström

Date:                22nd April at 15h00

Venue:             Peterson Institute for International Economics

Follow online  – https://www.piie.com/events/2025/europes-moment-building-bridges-shared-prosperity

  • Reconstructing Ukraine—The Path Forward

With President Nadia Calviño, EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko

Date:                23rd April 9.00

Venue:             Council on Foreign Relations

Follow online – https://www.cfr.org

  • A Strong Europe in a Changing World

Conference and Q & A with students

Date:                23rd April at 10h45

Venue:             Georgetown UniversityEvents https://global.georgetown.edu/events

For any interview requests or any media request in the margins of the Spring Meetings, please reach out to the press contacts below.

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Investment simplification: Council agrees position on the ‘Invest EU’ regulation to boost EU competitiveness

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Building capacity to combat illicit cultural heritage trafficking with the EuroMed Justice Project

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From 8-10 April in Cairo, Egypt, the EuroMed Justice Project brought together experts and officials from Europe and South Partner Countries for a three-day Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) activity aimed at protecting cultural heritage and combatting its illicit trafficking.

The TAF activity, which was organised upon request from Egyptian and Cypriot authorities, brought together 35 participants from Algeria, Belgium, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Libya, Morocco, Palestine*, Switzerland and the United Kingdom to share strategies and best practices in combating the illicit trade. The activity was officially opened and attended by the Ambassador of Cyprus to Egypt, the Deputy Head of the European Delegation in Cairo and high level representatives from Egypt. The Country representatives shared case studies and success stories, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of their efforts to protect cultural heritage.

The illicit trafficking of cultural goods has become a lucrative business for organised crime. It can be used for money laundering, sanctions evasion, and terrorism financing, and comes with a devastating cost. To combat this, the TAF activity facilitated cooperation and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders.

In addition to the sharing of case studies and success stories, the participants also gained insights from presentations delivered by the representative of the Eurojust Anti-Trafficking Team, as well as several international organizations (Council of Europe, UNICRI, and UNODC). Bilateral meetings were also arranged alongside the main activity.

By sharing knowledge and expertise, the gathering has set the stage for enhanced cooperation and collaboration to combat illicit cultural heritage trafficking.

The EuroMed Justice project aims to develop sustainable cooperation mechanisms for cross-border judicial cooperation in criminal matters between Member States of the European Union and the South Partner Countries. It organises TAF activities upon request of participating authorities in order to provide tailored support to activities and actions.

*This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.

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