Official US State Department data
How many F-1 visas are issued at Sofia, and its share of everything issued in Bulgaria.
Visas issued at Sofia, last 12 months
Mar 2025 – Feb 2026
189189
Down 5.5% on the previous 12 months. But the last 3 months ran 36% above the same months a year earlier.
Prev 12 moPrevious 12 months · 200
Last 12 moLast 12 months · 189
Visas issued at Sofia each month. Darker means more.
Typical: each month's share of a year's visas, averaged over 2023–2025.
Busiest: July 2025: 76 visas
In 2023–2025, July was typically the busiest month and February the quietest.
Calendar years, January to December.
210
Jan – Dec 2023
197
Jan – Dec 2024
188
Jan – Dec 2025
8
Jan–Feb · 2 of 12 months
2025 had 188 visas (−4.6% on 2024). 2026 so far (Jan–Feb) is running 14% ahead of the same months of 2025.
| Month | Visas issued | A year earlier | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | 2 | 1 | Up 100% |
| January 2026 | 6 | 6 | About flat, 0% |
| December 2025 | 11 | 7 | Up 57% |
| November 2025 | 4 | 7 | Down 43% |
| October 2025 | 6 | 1 | Up 500% |
| September 2025 | 2 | 1 | Up 100% |
| August 2025 | 27 | 43 | Down 37% |
| July 2025 | 76 | 53 | Up 43% |
| June 2025 | 20 | 44 | Down 55% |
| May 2025 | 26 | 26 | About flat, 0% |
| April 2025 | 5 | 3 | Up 67% |
| March 2025 | 4 | 8 | Down 50% |
| February 2025 | 1 | 0 | |
| January 2025 | 6 | 4 | Up 50% |
| December 2024 | 7 | 9 | Down 22% |
| November 2024 | 7 | 10 | Down 30% |
| October 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| September 2024 | 1 | 4 | Down 75% |
| August 2024 | 43 | 34 | Up 26% |
| July 2024 | 53 | 38 | Up 39% |
| June 2024 | 44 | 75 | Down 41% |
| May 2024 | 26 | 16 | Up 63% |
| April 2024 | 3 | 10 | Down 70% |
| March 2024 | 8 | 5 | Up 60% |
Source: US Department of State monthly reports of nonimmigrant visas issued at each US consulate. These count visas issued, not interview appointments available. All consulates in Bulgaria
Student Visa Kit