Alleviated Requirements for Labour Market Access for Performers from Third Countries

The Bulgarian legislation introduced eased requirements for labour market access for performers from third countries with proven professional competence - after confirmed interest in hiring them approved by the Ministry of Culture.
According to Art. 15, para. 4 of the Employment Migration and Labour Mobility Act (EMLMA), for obtaining a decision from the Executive Director of the Bulgarian National Employment Agency in connection with the issuance of a Single Permit for Residence and Work of Performers, the provisions of Art. 7, para. 1, item 1 and 2 shall not apply. This means that in this case the employer is not obliged to carry out a prior labour market study (the so-called "market test") and the limit of 20% (35% for small and medium-sized enterprises) on the number of such persons working for a local employer does not apply.
For performers, there are certain relieved requirements and dismissal of some of the required documents that the employer is otherwise obliged to submit to the Labour Office Directorate. These rights are detailed in Art. 11, para. 2 and 3 of the Regulations for Implementing the EMLMA.