Question re translated documents for D visa

If I'm following your question correctly, you need to send the document and its attached apostille to be translated. The apostille is as important as the original document, and the translation should include the complete wording and content of the apostille, as well as the fact that it's attached to the document. Multiple copies of a document require individual apostilles.

Thank you! That's what I thought, but I wanted to check because t would save money and speed up the process if I could get the documents translated while I'm in Bg. But if the apostille needs to be translated too, I'll have to wait and pay more to get the translations done when I'm back in the UK.

How are you? Did you have the op yesterday or have I gotten the dates mixed up?

@janemulberry

I'm just waiting to get wheeled down to the Butcher's Shop..

Praying all goes well and that you have a highly skilled butcher!

@janemulberry

Looks like you got no response here and I'm sure you already got your answer but I'm fairly sure it has to be apostiled first.  I hope your application goes smoothly. Are you doing everything yourself?

Thanks Alan! I'd intended to try to do it myself, but as time passes and the 6 months for the ACRO validity gets shorter and shorter with waits for apostilles and translation, I think I may go with using an immigration lawyer. If I mess up and have to apply again, it risks having to start over again with a new ACRO, and the cost of that and the apostilles will make me wish I'd paid a lawyer upfront instead!

Yes, you need to have the apostille done first and then have the document translated. The apostille will be included in the translation, with the translator either translating the text on it or describing the relevant details, such as the issuing authority, date, and reference number. To save time, they can start translating the document while you’re arranging the apostille. Once the apostille is issued, they can include the relevant details in the final translation.

Thanks! I did get the apostille done first, and everything translated. Just submitted my visa application today.

Did you use an immigration lawyer for getting your visa?

@tammyunhelpful314

Sorry for the delay replying, I only just saw your comment.

No, I did it myself. Initially back in january when I first discovered there was a  new digital nomad visa class, I approached two immigration lawyers. One cost more than I was willing to pay, the other was very reasonably priced but ghosted me when she saw my case fell into the more complicated category. At that stage because the digital nomad visa I wanted to apply for was new, the London Embassy wasn't;t taking applications anyway. As soon as I saw they were open for applications, which was early April, I started collecting paperwork. Finally got it all done by July, a long expensive process, and found the next available D visa appointment at the Embassy wasn't till September!

The consular staff member I saw in September was soooooo helpful! Sent me away to correct a couple of things he said weren't quite right, and was positive about my chances when I went back to resubmit. But I won't know until November if my application was successful.

@teeshirtjohn

Yes, it's not clear how much time we're given to apply after the visa is granted. The information on the Embassy website suggests six months, the time the visa is good for, but I'm sure it would be wise to apply sooner than that because there'll be a delay getting the residency card after applying for it. Consular told me I'd need to apply at my local Migration office two months from when the visa is approved, which may be a problem because with all the delays, my ACRO will have expired. I'm waiting on a new one which then needs to be apostilled and translated.

I don't intend to leave it longer than two months, though I do see some immigration lawyers are advising that it's possible to apply as late as two weeks before the D visa expires! What timelines have you seen stated?

I believe the ACRO is counted as valid for 6 months after the date on the original document. Unfortunately my existing one expires by the end of the month so won't be valid by the time I have the visa in my passport. But I have ordered a replacement which should arrive very soon, will get it sent off for the apostille ASAP, and once I have that will use the same translation service in Bulgaria that I used last time, who gave a very fast turnaround and a good quality service.

I'm confident all being well, it should be doable for me to apply for my residency within two months. It's likely I won't know it my visa application is approved or not for at least another month. 

To be sure, I will ask my Bulgarian neighbour to check with our local migration office what their deadline is.