Official US State Department data
How many L-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
5858
Up 12% on the previous 12 months. But the last 3 months ran 43% below the same months a year earlier.
Prev 12 moPrevious 12 months · 52
Last 12 moLast 12 months · 58
Visas issued at Sofia each month. Darker means more.
Typical: each month's share of a year's visas, averaged over 2023–2025.
Busiest: October 2025: 24 visas
In 2023–2025, October was typically the busiest month and April the quietest.
Calendar years, January to December.
39
Jan – Dec 2023
52
Jan – Dec 2024
59
Jan – Dec 2025
4
Jan–Feb · 2 of 12 months
2025 was the highest year shown, with 59 visas (+13% on 2024). 2026 so far (Jan–Feb) is running 20% behind the same months of 2025.
| Month | Visas issued | A year earlier | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | 1 | 2 | Down 50% |
| January 2026 | 3 | 3 | About flat, 0% |
| December 2025 | 4 | 9 | Down 56% |
| November 2025 | 3 | 6 | Down 50% |
| October 2025 | 24 | 2 | Up 1100% |
| September 2025 | 2 | 3 | Down 33% |
| August 2025 | 2 | 7 | Down 71% |
| July 2025 | 5 | 8 | Down 38% |
| June 2025 | 4 | 6 | Down 33% |
| May 2025 | 2 | 3 | Down 33% |
| April 2025 | 3 | 1 | Up 200% |
| March 2025 | 5 | 2 | Up 150% |
| February 2025 | 2 | 2 | About flat, 0% |
| January 2025 | 3 | 3 | About flat, 0% |
| December 2024 | 9 | 2 | Up 350% |
| November 2024 | 6 | 1 | Up 500% |
| October 2024 | 2 | 2 | About flat, 0% |
| September 2024 | 3 | 3 | About flat, 0% |
| August 2024 | 7 | 0 | |
| July 2024 | 8 | 10 | Down 20% |
| June 2024 | 6 | 9 | Down 33% |
| May 2024 | 3 | 2 | Up 50% |
| April 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| March 2024 | 2 | 3 | Down 33% |
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