Bulgaria To Scrap Visas for Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro

The date on which the system changes is the same as that on which nationals of the three countries will be eligible to enter the EU's Schengen zone visa-free.

The exemption applies only to those with biometric passports. Those with old-style passports will have to apply for short-term visas under the old system, Sofia Echo reported.
 
The change to the system means that nationals from Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro will have the right to stay in Bulgaria for up to 90 days within six months from the date of first entry.
 
Those wanting to stay longer will have to apply for long-term visas under the current system.
 
President Georgi Purvanov’s media office announced that he would host his Macedonian counterpart Gjorgi Ivanov at a celebration at the countries’ mutual border on 19 December.
 
Bulgaria is not a member of the Schengen zone but allows people with Schengen visas to enter the country visa-free with the same deadlines and conditions applicable to their Schengen visas.