Bulgaria has introduced a legal framework to issue start-up visas to entrepreneurs outside the EU who want to establish businesses in Bulgaria. The start-up visa allows applicants to fill out an application in English and submit it electronically without fees to the Ministry of Innovation. An expert council will evaluate the application within 30 days based on criteria like collateralization with funds, financial forecasts, customer network, investments, patents/certificates, and business plan, with a minimum of 8 points required. The visa is initially issued for one year but can be extended for two more years if conditions are met. It can be deprived if false declarations are made or Bulgarian law is breached.