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    Embassies and consulates · Bulgaria · Sofia

    Student and exchange visas at Sofia

    As of September 17, 2026, the State Department lists a 15 days wait for the next student and exchange visa appointment at Sofia, against a median of 15 days. 0 of 186 posts list a shorter wait.

    Source: U.S. Department of State: Global Visa Wait Times · Published 2026-09-17 · Retrieved 2026-10-15 · Coverage 2026-09-17

    Sofia student wait over time

    Sofia has ranged same day to 1.5 months across 24 months on record, so treat today's figure as a snapshot rather than a guarantee. The median over that time was 15 days.

    Jul 24same day – 1.5 monthsSep 26

    Source: U.S. Department of State: Global Visa Wait Times · Published 2026-09-17 · Retrieved 2026-09-17 · Coverage 2022-11/2026-09

    Check whether a Sofia appointment fits your program start date →

    Student and exchange visas issued at Sofia

    Sofia issued 259 student and exchange visas in February 2026, 21% fewer than February 2025 (329). 4,416 over the past 12 months (sum of monthly reports, not an official total). The count covers F-1, M-1, J-1 and their dependants.

    Nonimmigrant visas issued at Sofia each month, October 2022 to February 2026. The monthly figures are listed below the chart.05001k1.5k2k2023202420252026
    Monthly figures
    MonthVisas issued
    Feb 2026259
    Jan 202618
    Dec 202522
    Nov 202512
    Oct 202516
    Sep 202519
    Aug 202536
    Jul 2025124
    Jun 202596
    May 2025750
    Apr 20251,606
    Mar 20251,458
    Feb 2025329
    Jan 202517
    Dec 202418
    Nov 202412
    Oct 20249
    Sep 202421
    Aug 202458
    Jul 2024117
    Jun 2024149
    May 2024682
    Apr 20241,918
    Mar 20241,063
    Feb 2024315
    Jan 202433
    Dec 202321
    Nov 202319
    Oct 20233
    Sep 20238
    Aug 202362
    Jul 202388
    Jun 2023194
    May 2023808
    Apr 20231,267
    Mar 20231,171
    Feb 2023207
    Jan 202359
    Dec 202223
    Nov 20227
    Oct 20229
    Visa classFeb 2026Feb 2025Past 12 monthsSum of monthly reports, not an official total
    J1Exchange visitor2573284,219
    F1Academic student21189
    J2Exchange visitor's spouse or child006
    F2Academic student's spouse or child001
    M1Vocational student001

    Sources: U.S. Department of State: Monthly Immigrant Visa Issuances and U.S. Department of State: Monthly Nonimmigrant Visa Issuances · Retrieved 2026-10-15 · Coverage 2022-10/2026-02

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    Student and exchange (F, M, J): 15 days now

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    What F-1 Student Visa applicants report being asked

    These figures come from 440 interview reports that applicants shared publicly, at every post rather than Sofia alone. They describe who chose to report, not every applicant.

    53%

    Education questions

    In about 235 reports

    31%

    Financial questions

    In about 135 reports

    21%

    Employment questions

    In about 90 reports

    Source: Visa Interviews Research release 2026.07.18-us-v1 · Published 2026-07-18 · Coverage 2024-03 to 2026-07Every F-1 Student Visa finding →

    Other visas at Sofia

    Where these figures come from

    The State Department publishes each of these separately, on its own schedule. We show each one with its own date and never add figures from one to another.