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Some extra info : as usual , I investigated multiple companies that convert and transfer USD - EUR , and out of many , including Transferwise , MoneyCorp , XE and Currencies Direct , I choose and am still very happy with Wise ( former Transferwise ).
How would you describe your experience working with the firm to acquire your Bulgarian citizenship ? How did they help you ?
Very positive experience : Alex Dobrinov takes the client ’ s needs close to his heart , and stays on top , pushing and prodding Bulgarian bureaucracy to keep the process going . Clean financial arrangements , good contract , full support when I was in Sofia .
Can you describe the feeling when you got your American and Bulgarian citizenship ? What did that mean for you ?
I feel that I am very lucky , and have the best of both worlds : as a U . S . citizen , I enjoy all the benefits of this great nation ; opportunities , inclusion , mobility , free pioneer spirit , fast pace and security . And as a Bulgarian citizen , I can find the enjoyment for that part of my personality that likes to slow down , take pleasure in great food , wine and conversations , to explore beautiful Bulgaria .
What advice would you offer to other foreigners like you who are looking to acquire a second citizenship in Europe ?
Set up the goals and the end state you want to achieve : is it for you and your active business , or for you and your children , for your retirement , and so on . What is your timeline ? Twothree years for the fast track , or you can wait five-six years for regular naturalization . Based on that , select the program . My personal journey toward the Bulgarian citizenship was a clean and enjoyable one . assigned case number to check online .
December 2020 : Ministry of Justice requested the original birth certificate and restarted the process .
May 2021 : Documents reviewed by the Citizenship Council and I am waiting for the presidential decree .
September 2021 : Waiting for vice presidential decree following positive review by the Citizenship Council ; once decree is issued , I expect to receive my ID and passport within three days .
So , as you can see , the whole process from start to finish was for me about three years .
There was no obvious “ red tape ” there ; the delays were in permanent residency approval , and during documents transfer from the Embassy to the Ministry of Justice . The biggest delay was due to COVID-19 , from April to September 2020 , when it was not possible to have any in-person interview and documents submission anywhere .
Tell us about your life in the U . S . and your plans for the future ?
I think that I am pretty well settled in the U . S . After all , I have lived here for 32 years , and my life path was a very satisfying one . When I came to the USA , it was just the beginning of the computer era , and I am so glad that I witnessed it . It still amazes me and brings a smile remembering those days in 80s and 90s , when you can expect to wake up and hear something really fantastic and new just happened in computers , almost every week . I still remember the freefor-all parties that Microsoft , Borland and Watcom were throwing at Marriott ’ s Great America in Santa Clara , when they were introducing their new Visual C / Turbo C compilers , other products . Microsoft ’ s Bill Gates schmoozing at the tables , and Philippe Kahn from Borland playing saxophone at the party , and “ Wine Trail ” party at Watcom …
Well , different things for different seasons . Nowadays , I am pretty happy on my ranch , riding horses almost every morning , slowing down and looking forward to start traveling and spend more time in Europe . Bulgaria looks perfect for that , just between France and Italy , where my children live , so I can spend as much time as I want shuttling between them .