TRO vs Freelance visa for non EU

Hello community 👋

I was looking for some information about Bulgarian visas and was very happy to find this forum.

I’ve been exploring options for obtaining either a TRO or a freelancing visa in Bulgaria, and I’ve realized that both have their pros and cons. My situation is as follows:

    1.    In April next year, it will be two years since I’ve had my company up and running. I’m doing web dev and SEO - fully remotely for companies all around Europe (no Bulgarian clients). The type of company is sole proprietorship - NOT an LLC - is this an obstacle for the TRO path?

    2.    I understand that TRO might become stricter starting next year, but it’s generally easier to obtain. This is what I understood from recent posts here. Is there any recent news or updates on this process?

    3.    For the freelancing visa, I know there’s a language requirement. I speak Bulgarian at a good level and believe I could pass the B1 test. Can someone provide guidance on where I can take this test?

    4.    Regarding the required documents for the freelancing visa, will proving that I’ve been working consistently with a company abroad and earning three times the Bulgarian minimum salary over the past two years suffice?

    5.    I don’t have higher education, but I have a solid track record of freelance work. Is this enough to show I can carry out freelance activities?

    6.    I already have a bank account in Bulgaria, and accommodation isn’t an issue—I can get a notarized contract whenever needed. As I understood these were the more major obstacles that pointed people towards TRO rather than freelance visa.

    7.    Detailed Plan of Activity: Is there some kind of sample or template available online that I can use as a reference for creating this plan?

    8.    Proof of Professional Experience: Can this requirement be fulfilled by providing documents showing I was running a company engaged in the same type of work, along with supporting bank statements from the company (where I am the only employee)?

    9.    Financial Resources Evidence: Do I need to prove that I have at least 12 months’ worth of the Bulgarian minimum salary saved upfront, plus evidence of continuous income each month that meets or exceeds the Bulgarian minimum salary?

    11.    Educational and Qualification Documents: I only have a high school diploma. Is this sufficient for the freelance visa application, or will additional qualifications be required (once again I want to leverage experience from working freelance work for this one, rather than formal education)?

As I’m in it for the longterm, I’m somehow leaning a bit more towards the freelance path, but I’d appreciate any advice, references, or insights from anyone who’s been through either process recently.

🤞 Thanks in advance!