Can I travel across the EU with the work permit document while the temporary residence card is being reissued
The situation is I live in Poland, citizen of Armenia, my temporary residence card is being reissued based on the new work permit I already have on hands and [new residence card] may be ready in a month or so, in the meantime I want to travel to Bulgaria to join my friends for about a week. My question is can I travel across the EU (Bulgaria is outside Schengen) with a legal and effective work permit (even translated into the language of the country in question) while my new residence card is still not ready?
In addition, I can get a confirmation paper that I have applied for a new residence card.
Thank you beforehand :) p.s. I'm going to call the Bulgarian embassy in Poland on Monday - any help before then is really appreciated!
Best Answer
As Armenia is not an EU country, Armenian citizens do not automatically have the same rights as EU citizens.
Bulgaria is outside the Schengen area but they say they allow visa-free travel for holders of a Schengen visa.
I'd be surprised if Bulgaria considered a Polish work-permit to be equivalent to a Schengen visa. However I don't really know.
I'd expect an Armenian citizen to need a valid passport and visa to enter Bulgaria.
According to Wikipedia, for Armenians travelling to Bulgaria.
Visa not required for a maximum stay of 90 days within 180 days for valid visa holders or residents of the European Union member states
The EU say
If you have a valid residence permit from one of those Schengen countries, it is equivalent to a visa.
I'd guess a work permit is not an acceptable alternative to a residence permit and therefore insufficient evidence to prove you are a resident of the EU - but I may be wrong.
I think your plan of contacting the Bulgarian embassy well in advance of travel is best.
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ENG- LONG TERM Residence Card - EU valid for work in European Countries.
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