site.btaForeign Ministry Publishes Updated Instructions for Bulgarian Citizens in Middle East Region

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs published updated instructions for Bulgarian citizens in the Middle East region on its official website on Monday. It recalled that Iran's airspace is currently closed, therefore leaving the country by air cannot be done at this stage.

Currently, evacuation is only possible via the country's land borders.

No visa is required for Bulgarian citizens across the land borders with Armenia and Turkiyе. The land border with Azerbaijan can be crossed through the Astara border crossing checkpoint. A special crossing permit must be granted by the Azerbaijani authorities. Holders of ordinary Bulgarian passports need a visa for Azerbaijan. The visa can also be obtained through the online system - ASAN Visa.

Exit through the land border with Turkmenistan is currently only possible for diplomatic staff.

The situation in Israel is currently extremely dynamic and constantly changing, therefore the recommendations of the local authorities and those of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry should be strictly followed.

Israel's airspace is closed for security reasons, the Foreign Ministry reminded. The country is planning to operate return flights for Israeli tourists. In this regard, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism has published information on the possibility of flights also being used to evacuate foreign tourists in the country by air. Full details can be found on the Israeli government's website, and any questions should be directed to the following contact details.

Those wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should complete the registration form on the El Al website or contact Israelair, indicating the destination to which they wish to fly. Airlines stressed that registration is not a reservation or confirmation on the spot. After registration, customers will be notified by email.

At present, there are limited opportunities to leave Israel by water. The diplomatic mission of Bulgaria in Israel has records of sea transportation.

Israel's border crossings with Egypt and Jordan are operating normally and crossing is possible, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said in its instructions.

Leaving Israel via Egypt and the Taba Border Crossing checkpoint is possible, and there is currently no indication that this checkpoint is closed, but given the dynamic situation, this circumstance could change at any moment. A visa is required for movement into Egyptian territory. Visa-free passage through this border crossing checkpoint for Bulgarian citizens is only possible on condition that they take a flight from Sharm el-Sheikh airport, where they will be issued with a visa on exit from the country.

When leaving Israel through the Taba Border Crossing checkpoint, a fee of NIS 130 must be paid and entry into Egypt is possible with a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months.

Visa-free passage through the Taba Border Crossing checkpoint is allowed for Bulgarian citizens, provided they do not leave the area of Taba, Dahab, Nueba and Sharm el-Sheikh, which effectively obliges them to continue their journey by direct flight from Sharm el-Sheikh airport.

An entry visa is required to travel throughout the country and can be purchased at the Taba Border Crossing checkpoint for a fee of USD 25.

If citizens intend to travel independently from Israel to Egypt, they can contact the Bulgarian embassies in Israel and Egypt.

Those wishing to leave Israel independently via Jordan may do so through the Wadi Araba Crossing(south) or Sheikh Hussein Crossing (north) checkpoints. Only diplomats may pass through the King Hussein/Allenby crossing. Information on the opening hours of the land borders can be obtained here, under “Land Borders”.

It should be borne in mind that the regime of frequent entry into Jordanian territory is subject to a visa.

Jordanian airspace is currently open to civil flights, but many airlines have cancelled flights to and from Amman. Scheduled flights are operated by Royal Jordanian (to Istanbul) and charters by Jordan Aviation.

Given the sharply deteriorated security situation in the Middle East region, Jordan's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has set up a registration platform for foreign tourists in the country wishing assistance in leaving, available here.

Registration is for coordination purposes only. The Ministry does not guarantee the availability of seats on desired flights or destinations, nor does it provide transportation services or financial support to registrants.

Registration on this platform does not replace your registration on the “I travel for...” platform created by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is highly recommended before your planned trip, the Ministry warned.