site.btaEmbassy in New Delhi Urges Bulgarians to Avoid US, Israeli and Iranian Missions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Bulgarian citizens in India to avoid going to or near the embassies and consulates of the United States, Israel and Iran on Tuesday.

It also urged them to stay away from crowded sites and busy tourist areas.

Foreign nationals in India who have altered their travel plans due to developments in the Middle East and need assistance extending their visas or regularizing their stay have been urged to contact the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). FRRO will assist with the required formalities, the ministry said, adding that FRRO contact details are available at https://boi.gov.in/.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised all Bulgarian citizens in the Republic of Maldives to stay in contact with their airline to secure safe alternative flight routes. It also urged them to follow updates from local authorities and Male airport.

Satellite images accessed via the flight-tracking app Flightradar24 showed that over the past 24 hours, flights have departed Male airport for Zurich, Vienna, London, Milan, Istanbul and other destinations.

The foreign ministry said flights are also operating from Delhi airport to several European cities and that it can be used as a transit point for travel back to Bulgaria. Over the past 24 hours, flights have departed for Paris, Vienna, London, Milan, Istanbul, Warsaw, Helsinki and other destinations.

The ministry also cited flights from Mumbai to Europe and Ethiopia, noting that onward connections to Europe are available via Ethiopia.

Air India operates flights from Male to India, but Bulgarian citizens require a visa to enter India. Other options may also be available.

The ministry said Bulgarian citizens unable to leave Sri Lanka before their visas expire because flights to the Middle East have been cancelled can obtain a free 14-day visa extension. The Department of Immigration and Emigration introduced the measure to allow them to remain in the country legally until alternative return options are found.

The extension will be granted for 14 days from the expiry date of the current visa and will be issued case by case after the circumstances are verified. Travellers must provide evidence that they cannot depart due to cancelled flights, such as boarding passes, cancellation notices or airline confirmations. The extension can be obtained from airport immigration services at the time of departure.

Bulgaria’s diplomatic missions abroad are ready to provide assistance and support to Bulgarian citizens outside the combat zone, prioritizing humanitarian cases.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky said earlier on Tuesday she hopes the first flights to evacuate Bulgarian nationals from conflict zones in the Middle East will begin early on Wednesday morning.