¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ

Unfortunately she may need to reapply, though it's worth her checking if the uni she's studying at has a foreign student support office who may be able to help.

The Bulgarian Embassy in London states that they consider the ACRO check is only valid for 6 months:

@Lly0

What do you mean by ID card?

@Lly0

It certainly sounds like you have to start all over again with the D visa, unfortunately. Personally, I'd pay for a consult with an immigration attorney, just in case they think that there's anything that can be done to salvage the situation.

It's a bit dramatic destroying her card. Did it expire a couple of days ago or a year ago? :-)

Thanks for the replies!

@janemulberry

Her school said they can't do anything so no luck there.

@SimCityAT

I think it's her residency card? I'm not too sure since it's all second hand info.

@gwynj

It expired at the beginning of February. How can I find an immigration attorney?

@Lly0

Ahhh OK, Understand.

@Lly0

If you Google "D visa for Bulgaria", you'll find an immigration layer in London who is generally well regarded, or a search on this site will bring up at least one who posts here reasonably frequently.

I do have concerns about your sister's situation, as she is likely to be in the country illegally now.  Under the new immigration law, overstays can lead to large fines and also being banned from re-entry to Bg for 5 years.  So I hope she's doing something to get the issue resolved! Has she been to the immigration office in the city she's living in to talk to someone there, with a Bulgarian speaking helper if she's not fluent? She may get lucky and find someone willing to be helpful. Apart from that, my feeling is that it may be in her best interests to return to the UK ASAP and reapply rather than stay in Bg without legal residency. But I'm not an immigration expert, just another Brit trying to get residency!