The grounds for obtaining a work permit are signing by the Foreigner of an employment contract with a Bulgarian employer, or sending of the Foreigner to a business trip for undertaking of certain activities in Bulgaria. Work permits required for Foreigners must be requested by the local employer and are issued by the Bulgarian Employment Agency.  A number of legal terms and conditions must be met for the permit to be issued.  Work permits are issued for a maximum duration of 3 years.  If a work permit is granted to a Foreigner on the basis of a signed employment contract with a local employer, generally, such a permit can be extended, if the terms and conditions for its issuance are still valid, but the total duration may not exceed 3 (three) years.  The term of validity of a work permit issued to a Foreigner, who is sent on a business trip, cannot be extended for further one-year periods, unless by exception.