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Bulgaria Golden Visa 2025: Complete Guide for Pakistani Investors
The Bulgaria Golden Visa program has emerged as the most attractive European residency option for Pakistani investors in 2025.
Why Bulgarian Golden Visa Appeals to Pakistani Investors
Bulgarian permanent residency offers immediate access to the European Union and Schengen Area – a game-changer for Pakistani businesspeople and families.
Unlike other EU programs requiring temporary residency renewals, Bulgaria grants *permanent residency from day one* with no minimum stay requirements, perfect for Pakistani investors managing businesses across multiple countries.
Key Benefits for Pakistani Citizens
Immediate EU Access
Schengen Area travel: Visa-free access to 27 European countries (previously requiring expensive visas for Pakistanis)
Permanent residency: No renewals or residency requirements
EU citizenship path: Eligible after 5 years of maintained investment
Business opportunities: Access to European markets and bankingPractical Advantages for Pakistanis
Remote investment process: Complete application from Pakistan initially
English-speaking support: Many service providers offer Urdu/English assistance
Competitive costs: Lower than Cyprus, Malta, or Portuguese programs
Currency stability: Euro-based investment protecting against PKR volatilityInvestment Requirements for Pakistani Applicants
Minimum Investment: €512,000 Pak Rs 168,192,000
Pakistani investors must invest €512,000 (approximately PKR 150-160 million at current exchange rates) in government-approved options:Government-Regulated Funds (Recommended for Pakistanis)
Professional fund management
Lower risk than real estate
Easier liquidity after 5 years
No property maintenance concernsReal Estate Investment
Minimum €512,000 (Pak Rs 168,192,000) property value
Additional costs: taxes, maintenance
Suitable for families planning to relocateSource of Funds Requirements
Pakistani applicants must demonstrate legitimate income sources:
Business income: Audited financial statements from Pakistani businesses
Property sales: Documentation from Pakistani real estate transactions
Inheritance: Legal documentation from Pakistani courts
Foreign remittances: Banking records showing legal transfersDocumentation Requirements for Pakistani Citizens
Essential Documents (All Must Be Apostilled)
Pakistani passport: Minimum 6 months validity
CNIC*: Computerized National Identity Card
Birth certificate: From NADRA or local registrar
Police clearance: From all Pakistani cities of residence (last 10 years)
Educational certificates: Degrees from Pakistani institutions
Marriage certificate: If applicable, from NADRAFinancial Documentation
Bank statements: Last 6 months from Pakistani banks
Business registration: SECP registration documents
Tax returns: FBR filing history for last 3 years
Income proof: Salary certificates or business income statements
Foreign exchange documentation: State Bank of Pakistan approvals for large transfersSpecial Considerations for Pakistani Applicants
All Urdu documents require certified English translation
Pakistani police clearance certificates have 6-month validity
Currency transfer approvals may be required for amounts over $50,000Step-by-Step Application Process from Pakistan
Phase 1: Preparation in Pakistan (4-6 weeks)
1. Document collection: Gather all required Pakistani documents
2. Fund preparation: Arrange €512,000 through legal channels
3. Legal consultation: Engage Bulgarian immigration attorney
4. Preliminary assessment: Submit documents for pre-approvalPhase 2: Investment Transfer (2-3 weeks)
1. Fund selection: Choose government-approved investment vehicle
2. Currency exchange: Convert PKR to EUR through authorized dealers
3. Transfer completion: Wire funds to designated Bulgarian accounts
4. Investment certificate: Obtain official investment documentationPhase 3: Formal Application (4-6 months)
1. Application submission: Submit complete package to Bulgarian authorities
2. Background verification: Bulgarian agencies verify Pakistani documents
3. Biometric appointment: May require visit to Bulgarian embassy in Pakistan
4. Approval processing: Wait for permanent residence decisionPhase 4: Residence Permit Collection
1. Travel to Bulgaria: First visit to collect residence permit
2. Registration: Register with Bulgarian authorities
3. Residence card: Receive physical residence permitTotal Investment Costs for Pakistani Investors
Core Investment
Minimum investment: €512,000 (Pak Rs 168,192,000)Fund management fees: €5,000(PKR 1642,500)-€15,000 (PKR 4927,500) annually
Government and Processing Fees
Application processing: €3,000 (PKR 985,500)
Background checks: €1,500 (PKR 492,750)
Residence permit: €500 (164,250)Professional Services (Pakistan-Focused)
Legal representation: €20,000 (PKR 6,570,000)-€30,000 (PKR 9,855,000)
Document translation/apostille: €2,000 (PKR 657,000)-€3,000 (PKR 985,500)
Currency exchange costs: €2,000(PKR 657,000)-€5,000 (PKR 1642,500)
Pakistani documentation: PKR 100,000-200,000Travel and Miscellaneous
Flights Pakistan-Bulgaria : €800 (PKR 262,800)-€1,200 (PKR 394,200) per person
– Accommodation: €1,000(PKR 328,500)-€2,000 (PKR 657,000)
– Health insurance: €1,000 (PKR 328,500)annuallyTotal estimated cost*: €545,000-€570,000 (PKR 179,032,500-PKR (187,245,000)
Common Challenges for Pakistani Applicants
Documentation Hurdles
– Language barriers: All Pakistani documents need certified translation
– Apostille process: Limited apostille offices in Pakistan cause delays
– Police clearance: Multiple cities require separate certificates
– Banking documentation: Pakistani banks may be unfamiliar with requirementsCurrency Transfer Issues
State Bank regulations: Large transfers require SBP approval
Exchange rate fluctuations: PKR volatility affects total cost
Banking relationships: European banks may have enhanced due diligence for Pakistani transfersSolutions for Pakistani Investors
Early preparation*: Start document collection 6 months in advance
Professional guidance*: Use attorneys experienced with Pakistani clients
– *Banking partnerships*: Work with banks familiar with Golden Visa transfers
– *Timing strategy*: Monitor exchange rates for optimal transfer timingBanking and Currency Considerations
Recommended Pakistani Banks for Transfers
HBL: Strong international network
UBL: Experienced with large transfers
MCB: Established European correspondent banks
Standard Chartered: International banking expertiseCurrency Exchange Strategy
Monitor EUR/PKR rates for favorable transfer timing
Consider split transfers to manage exchange rate risk
Work with authorized money changers for competitive rates
Maintain documentation for SBP compliancePakistani Embassy and Consular Support
Bulgarian Embassy in Pakistan
Location: Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad
Services: Visa information, document verification
Appointments: Required for certain services
Processing time: 2-4 weeks for embassy-related servicesConsular Services Available
Document verification for Bulgarian authorities
Emergency passport services for Bulgarian residents
Attestation services for Pakistani documents
Information sessions on Bulgarian residencyPath to Bulgarian Citizenship for Pakistanis
Citizenship Timeline
Year 1-5: Maintain €512,000 ((Pak Rs 168,192,000)investment
Year 5: Apply for Bulgarian citizenship
Year 6: Complete naturalization processCitizenship Benefits for Pakistanis
-Visa-free travel: 180+ destinations vs. Pakistan’s 33
-EU passport: Work and live anywhere in European Union
-Business advantages: European banking and investment opportunities
-Education: EU tuition rates for children
-Dual nationality: Bulgaria allows dual citizenship with PakistanLanguage Requirements
Basic Bulgarian: A2 level proficiency required
Constitution knowledge: Basic understanding of Bulgarian law
Preparation time: 6-12 months study typically sufficientRead More: Greece Digital Nomad Visa for Pakistanis in 2025- Complete Guide
Tax Implications for Pakistani Residents
Bulgarian Tax Obligations
Tax residency: After 183+ days in Bulgaria annually
Income tax: 10% flat rate on Bulgarian income
Worldwide income: May be taxable if tax residentPakistani Tax Considerations
NTN requirements: Maintain Pakistani taxpayer status
Foreign income reporting: Report Bulgarian income to FBR
Double taxation: Pakistan-Bulgaria tax treaty provides relief
Professional advice: Consult tax advisors in both countriesLiving in Bulgaria: What Pakistani Families Should Know
Cultural Considerations
Muslim community: Small but established Pakistani and Muslim communities
Halal food: Available in major cities like Sofia and Plovdiv
Mosques: Several mosques in Sofia and Varna
Pakistani restaurants: Growing number in urban areasEducation Options
International schools: English-medium education available
University access: EU tuition rates with residence permit
Pakistani school curriculum: Available through distance learning
Language learning: Bulgarian language courses widely availableBusiness Opportunities
Import/export: Bridge between Europe and South Asia
IT services: Growing tech sector welcoming Pakistani expertise
Tourism: Halal tourism opportunities
Manufacturing: Lower costs than Western EuropeConclusion: Why Bulgaria Works for Pakistani Investors
The Bulgarian Golden Visa offers Pakistani investors an unmatched combination of EU access, reasonable investment requirements, and practical benefits. With Pakistan’s limited passport strength and growing economic challenges, Bulgarian residency provides:
Immediate European access without visa hassles
Investment protection in stable European currency
Family security with EU residence rights
Business expansion opportunities in European markets
Educational advantages* for children with EU accessFor Pakistani families and investors seeking European opportunities, Bulgaria’s Golden Visa program represents the most practical and cost-effective pathway to EU membership.
Key Success Factors:
– Early preparation of Pakistani documents
– Professional legal and financial guidance
– Proper currency transfer planning
– Understanding of both Pakistani and Bulgarian requirements -
Google Phone revamped with Material 3 Expressive design
Google has silently introduced a visual renovation to its default Phone app for Android devices, introducing the Material 3 Expressive design language.
The update aims to deliver a cleaner, more modern user interface, and it has started mixed reactions among users, as they were stunned by sudden change in their dialer layout.
Several changes have been made in the Google Material 3 Expressive, including the merger of “Favourites” and “Recents” sections into a single “Home” tab to streamline access to frequently contacted numbers and recent calls, the replacement of the floating keypad button with a fixed tab at the bottom center of the screen, removal of the dedicated “Contacts” tab, while addition of three dots menu at the top to search contacts, and last but not least, choice between horizontal swipe or single tap to a call reply or rejection.
The feature can be configured under “Incoming call gesture”, and can be found in App setting.
The update is part of Google’s broader Material 3 Expressive announcement, including the associated apps like Gmail, Google TV, and Google Clock. The update is live for stable users who have the 186 Phone app version.
The unexpected and updated feature has created extensive attention among the social media platforms, with users describing the new feature and UI, disturbing. The recent interface is considered to be “blocky”, “oversized” and “confusing”.
Read More: WhatsApp introduces voicemail-style shortcut for missed calls
Many Android users are not familiar with the new feature and are seeking to revert to the previous version. Well, Google has not disappointed these users, and still have an option to revert to the old interface.To revert to the previous interface, users have two methods to follow:
- Method 1: Navigate to Settings > Apps > Phone > Storage, then Clear Cache and Uninstall Updates.
- Method 2: Open the Google Play Store, search for Phone by Google, tap the three-dot menu, and select Uninstall Updates. Restart your device afterwards.
While the redesign aims to minimise accidental call actions and improve usability.
Google is soon going to address their verdict regarding layout preferences.
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At OIC, Ishaq Dar reiterates Pakistan’s call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
JEDDAH: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed Pakistan’s position on Gaza, calling for an immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire throughout the occupied Palestinian territory.
He made these remarks during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah. Ishaq Dar also urged the full implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolution regarding the Palestine issue.
He emphasized the need for renewed and enhanced international support for UNRWA, which is vital for the survival of millions of Palestinians. The deputy prime minister further stated that the OIC must take a more proactive role in this regard.
Additionally, Ishaq Dar called for an end to forced displacement, the illegal expansion of settlements, and the annexation of Palestinian land, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
He said Israel’s declared intent to occupy Gaza city would be a deliberate attempt to obliterate Palestinian existence and heritage and it must be firmly opposed. Ishaq Dar also demanded accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
He said Israel must not be allowed to act with impunity in defiance of the UN Charter international law, including international humanitarian law and the binding measures of the International Court of Justice.
Besides, he said any desecration of Al Aqsa Mosque is an intolerable provocation.
The incursions by Israeli officials into Al-Quds Al-Sharif are a deliberate assault on Muslim settlements, a blatant violation of international law, and a direct challenge to the collective conscience of the Muslim Ummah.
He said the OIC must remain vigilant and united in protecting Islamic and Christian holy sites against all attempts at unilateral alteration.
Ishaq Dar urged the UN Security Council to impose a cost on Israel if it defies the demands and the will of the international community.
The Council must enact enforcement measures including the deployment of an international protection force to save the besieged population in Gaza.
Ishaq Dar reaffirmed that Palestine is a priority for Pakistan. As a non-permanent member of the UNSC, Pakistan will continue to work with the OIC and Arab partners to mobilize global support for the Palestinian right to self-determination, justice and peace.
Ishaq Dar also declared Israeli Prime Minister’s statement for creation of a so-called ‘Greater Israel’ as a direct threat to regional and international peace and security. He said the root cause of this ongoing tragedy is Israel’s prolonged, illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. As long as this occupation endures, peace will remain elusive.
He said Pakistan fully stands by its brotherly Arab states in safeguarding their sovereignty against threats to their independence and territorial integrity.
The deputy prime minister said Pakistan welcomes the growing international momentum in support of the Palestinian statehood and full membership of the UN.
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Saudi Arabia arrests 17,000 violators in residency law crackdown
RIYADH: In the Residency law crackdown, Saudi officials have detained over 17,000 individuals in more than a month, in a nationwide campaign, ARY News reported.
The crackdown was conducted to target individuals found in violation of residency, labour, and border security laws.
According to the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat), apprehended people were found involved in offences related to expired or invalid residency permits, unauthorised employment, and illegal border crossings.
The Residency law crackdown was part of a key initiative led by the Ministry of Interior, which underscores the commitment of the Kingdom to uphold immigration and labour regulations.
Depending on the violation criteria, violators were imposed with the penalties, including imprisonment, deportation, and financial fines.
Authorities highlighted that Saudi citizens and legal residents must refrain from helping violators in any way, such as offering transportation, employment, or shelter.
If any citizen is found doing so, they may have to face severe legal consequences, including up to 15 years in prison, fines reaching SAR 1 million, and confiscation of vehicles or property used in the offence.
The Ministry of Saudi Arabia has assured the public that reports of violations can be submitted privately, and the informant will not face legal consequences.
Authorities urge citizens to report rule violations by calling emergency hotlines: 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, Madinah, and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 in other areas.
The Residency law crackdown is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to manage its job market and enhance border security.
In just one week in August, 22,222 rule violations were found across the country, including 13,551 issues with residency, 4,665 border problems, and 4,006 labour law violations.
Read More: Saudi ministry launches digital platform for municipal violation objections
Earlier, the Ministry of Saudi Arabia launched a digital platform to process municipal violation objections.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing announced that all objections related to municipal violations, fines, and procedures can now be submitted and processed electronically through the Unified Objections Platform.
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Lamine Yamal dating Argentinian singer Nicki Nicole?
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal sparked rumours about a romance with Nicki Nicole after sharing a loved-up picture with the Argentinian rapper-singer.
The 18-year-old took to Instagram on August 25 to share a photo of himself with the Argentine artist during her 25th birthday celebrations.
The photo showed the two seated intimately together and smiling in front of a birthday cake.
Lamine Yamal captioned the picture with a cake and heart emoji.
The Barcelona star’s loved-up photo with Nicki Nicole comes after they were spotted together at a club earlier this month. They were also previously snapped taking a stroll in Monaco.
Read more: Barcelona suffer major blow as crucial defender ruled out against Inter Milan
Earlier, the Argentinian rapper-singer was in attendance at Barcelona’s pre-season game against Como in which Lamine Yamal scored twice.
The two sparked dating rumours last month when Nicki Nicole attended the Barcelona star’s 18th birthday party.
The 18-year-old’s July 13 birthday party, which included several artists such as Bizarrap, Bad Gyal and Quenvedo alongside his Barcelona teammates, landed in controversy after it was alleged that individuals with dwarfism were hired as entertainers.
Following the reports, Spain’s Ministry for Social Rights requested an investigation into possible breaches of disability laws at the birthday party.
It is worth noting here that Yamal was previously rumoured to be dating 30-year-old influencer Fati Vazquez.
Nicki Nicole, on the other hand, dated singer Peso Pluma before publicly announcing their split last year.
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Pakistan’s Gaza aid received at Egypt Airport
ISLAMABAD: On the directives of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan dispatched humanitarian aid for Gaza, which was received at El-Arish International Airport in Egypt, ARY News reported.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Aamir Shouket, received the consignment and, on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, expressed deep gratitude to the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Egyptian officials for facilitating the aid transfer.
The Deputy Governor of North Sinai, General Asim, was also present at the handover and lauded Pakistan’s extensive humanitarian efforts.
Ambassador Aamir Shouket reiterated Pakistan’s brotherly support for the Palestinian people, stating that more consignments are already en route and will be delivered in coordination with Egyptian officials in the coming days.
According to official statements, Pakistan has so far dispatched 21 aid consignments, adding 2,027 tons to Gaza through Egypt.
The humanitarian aid for Gaza was conducted in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Al-Khidmat Foundation, and was formally delivered to the Egyptian Red Crescent Society to be forwarded to Gaza.
Pakistan sent a special chartered aircraft carrying 100 tons of supplies to reinforce its promise to support the Palestinian people amid the ongoing crisis.
Humanitarian aid for Gaza, sent so far, includes basic items such as flour, ready-to-eat meals, edible oil, jam, and fruit cocktails.
Earlier, Pakistan dispatched multiple aid consignments to Gaza in response to the intensifying humanitarian crisis due to the tyranny of Israel.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, the aid is badly required due to the severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter, where the ongoing oppression from Israel has displaced thousands and damaged local infrastructure.
Pakistan’s support reflects its solidarity with the Palestinian people and its commitment to international humanitarian efforts.
Read More: Pakistan sends 21st aid consignment to Gaza
Earlier today, Pakistan dispatched its 21st relief consignment for Gaza, comprising 100 tons of essential supplies, from Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore.
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Maryland man wins $1 million after clerk chooses ticket
MARYLAND: In a surprising stroke of luck, a Baltimore resident has won $1 million lottery, and become a viral millionaire instantly.
The man, who asked not to be identified publicly, stopped at Hob’s Carroll Motor Fuels on North Point Road in Sparrows Point to get fuel.At that time, he had an extra $20 left in his pocket after he got the fuel. He asked the store clerk to give him a scratch-off ticket, saying in fun, “Pick me a winner.”
The clerk handed him a $20 All About Cash ticket, and the outcome was exactly that.
“At first, I thought I had won $100. Then I thought it was $1,000. The amount just kept increasing,” the lucky winner told Maryland Lottery officials. “I called my wife and said, ‘I just won a million dollars!’”
The winning ticket was from the All About Cash game, which started on July 18, 2025. It has five top prizes of $1 million, and this was the first one to be claimed.
The store that sold the winning ticket will get a $1,000 bonus.
The viral winner, who is a utility worker, goes by the nickname “Tank,” said he plans to save the prize money for retirement and continue enjoying his favourite pastime, spending time on the water.
This lucky win is part of a streak of big lottery prizes in Maryland. Many people have recently won thousands of dollars from scratch-off tickets, and the Powerball jackpot has now grown to $605 million.
Read More: Maryland lottery wins for merchant marine in Transit
Earlier in another lucky draw incident, a daily work assignment turned into a viral transformative event for a merchant marine lottery winner from Brooklyn, New York, who won a $1 million prize from a Maryland Lottery scratch-off ticket.The merchant marine, who was based at the Port of Baltimore, made a short break at a 7-Eleven on Key Highway after finishing work early.
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FPSC revises recruitment procedure for Grades 16 to 21
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has decided to introduce a major change in the recruitment process for government posts from Grade 16 to Grade 21, ARY News reported.
All recruitment examinations will follow a new Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)-based format, starting September 21, 2025.
According to sources within the FPSC, candidates will be required to appear in a single MCQ-based paper of 100 marks for Grades 16 and 17, . The passing score is set at 40 marks, and a negative marking of 0.25 will be applied for each incorrect answer.
For Grades 18 and 19, two separate MCQ-based papers of 100 marks each will be conducted. For general posts, the passing score is 40, with the same 0.25 negative marking for wrong answers.
For speciaised posts such as doctors, general managers, teachers, and other professional or technical roles, the passing percentage for teaching positions will be a minimum of 50%.
Grades 20 & 21, there will be two MCQ-based papers. However, the passing requirement for these higher-grade positions is set at a minimum of 50% marks in each paper.
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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Eden’ opens to $1mn with disappointing RT score
Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney delivered two back-to-back box office bombs as ‘Eden’ debuted at the box office with $1 million.
The star-studded movie co-stars the ‘Anyone But You’ actor with Vanessa Kirby, Ana de Armas, Jude Law and Daniel Brühl.
‘Eden’ tells the true story of European settlers who left society behind to start a new life on the isolated Floreana Island in Galápagos.
However, they soon encounter human weaknesses such as chaos, blackmail, betrayal, disappearances and murder.
After its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last September, ‘Eden’ was theatrically released in Germany this April, before launching in the US on August 22 in over 600 cinemas.
However, ‘Eden’ could generate just $1 million at the box office, while the film boasts a disappointing 55 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Read more: Halsey urges support for Americana amid Sydney Sweeney ad storm
Sweeney’s previous film, ‘Americana’ was released in over 1,100 cinemas last week.
The movie, starring Sydney Sweeney, Halsey, and Paul Walter Hauser, tells the story of a small town descending into chaos when a stolen artifact enters the black market.
‘Americana’ earned just $500,000 during its opening weekend despite its $9 million budget.
The two films grossed a total of around $2 million combined at the box office.
The back-to-back box office failures from Sydney Sweeney come as she is in the middle of a controversy over her American Eagle Ad.
Criticism of the Hollywood actor further intensified after it emerged that she was a registered Republican since 2024.
The ‘Eden’ star has yet to address the failure of her two films, or her response to the criticism of her American Eagle Ad and her reported political inclinations.