Canadian citizens (holders of Canadian passports) travelling as tourists or visitors do not need visa to enter Hungary and may stay there for a maximum period of ninety days during the six months from the date of their first entry. However, Canadian citizens with the intention to work, study or to stay more than 90 days in do need visas to travel to Hungary.

Permanent residents of Canada who are travelling with their national passports and need a visa to enter Hungary are required to present their permanent resident cards or a copy of that authenticated by a notary public.

The visa application shall be submitted in person by using the prescribed visa form (download: short-term and transit visas , long-term visas ) to the competent Hungarian representation according to the permanent or usual place of stay of the applicant. In certain cases the Consular Section may waive the obligation of personal submission and accepts applications sent by courier. In these cases payment of the consular fee should be made by money order or a certified cheque to the order of the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary. 

The Honorary Consulates do not accept and process visa applications.

Remark: It is entirely at the discretion of the Hungarian authorities to accept or reject any visa application without advance notice. In case of long-term visas, issuance is under the exclusive authority of the Office of Immigration and Nationality (Ministry of Interior). A visa is a conditional permission to enter Hungary. At the time of crossing the Hungarian border, the border guard (immigration officer) has the right to check whether the foreigner still meets the criteria of entry and stay in Hungary. In case the border guard determines that those criteria are not met, he shall have the right to refuse entry of the foreigner.

Visa Fees in Euro

• Visa for a short stay or transit visa or airport transit visa - EUR 35
• Residency visa issued at a Hungarian representation abroad - EUR 50
• Extra cost of issuing a visa on a separate sheet - EUR 25
• Issue of a travel document entitling to a single entry - EUR 15
• Transfer of the right to abode to a new travel document- EUR 25

Visa Fees in CAD

Valid from January 01, 2006 to January 31, 2006

• Airport transit visa, transit visa, short-term visitor visa - CAD 48
• Fee for the same day service (only applies to airport transit, transit and short term visas) - CAD 14
• Long  term visa(more than 90 days):(work , study, health, employment, visit, family unification) - CAD 69
• „K” page (special form)- CAD 34

2. REQUIREMENTS COMMON TO ALL VISA APPLICATIONS

• Passport - must be valid for at least 6 months from the time of return from Hungary.
• Visa application form: one per person shall be filled out and signed.
• Passport photos: 1 photo per person, not older than 6 months. Photos by which the applicant cannot be identified cannot be accepted.
• Visa processing fees (see list of fees). Visa fees are not refundable.
• A medical health/travel insurance covering at least emergency situations is required. The insurance must be valid for the entire duration of visit to/staying in Hungary.
• Proof of means of transportation: Airplane, train or boat ticket (in case these have not been purchased: reservation of the tickets, travel itinerary).
• Proof of lodging arrangement: hotel, motel reservation, or apartment lease agreement, or invitation letter from host.
• Proof of financial means ensuring livelihood in Hungary.

Note! Official letter of invitation approved by one of the Regional Offices of the Bevándorlási és Állampolgársági Hivatal (Office of Immigration and Nationality - OIN) is considered proof of lodging and financial means.

YOU NEED TO KNOW that ...

• A foreigner entering into Hungary without a visa is still required to have travel or medical insurance for the duration of his stay in the country.
• a foreigner entering into Hungary without a visa, or with a short term entry visa (allowing a stay of less than 90 days) shall not be eligible to obtain a residence permit in Hungary.
• foreigners whose continuous stay in Hungary exceeds 30 days and do not lodge in hotels, motels, or other public lodging facilities are required to register their address with the local police. Registration can be made by the foreigner or by the host.
• motorists must have a valid International Driver's License.
• a Petpassport is required to take pets (dogs and cats) into Hungary. For more information visit the website.
• in case of a refusal of the visa, the visa processing fee cannot be refunded.

Special requirement: visa of the country of destination or other permit thereof authorizing the stay of the foreigner (if not exempt from the visa requirement) and airplane ticket showing confirmed reservation.

Special requirement: visa of the country of destination or other permit authorizing the stay of the foreigner (if not exempt from visa requirement)

Visas of Official Purpose

• Visa issued to a foreigner having diplomatic or other privileges and immunities based on international law

Special requirement: diplomatic note of foreign government or international organization

In case of stay less than 90 days, the visa shall be marked as "C" with the additional marking of "Hivatalos" (Official)

• Visa issued to a member of official state delegations of foreign states

Special requirement: diplomatic note of foreign government or letter of invitation from the Hungarian state organ

In case of stay less than 90 days, the visa shall be marked as "C" with the additional marking of "Hivatalos" (Official)

• Visa issued to a foreigner invited to attend international political, scientific, economic, cultural or sports events of outstanding significance 

Special requirement: notification sent to the foreigner by the event's organizer containing an invitation thereto

• Visa issued to a press correspondent 

Special requirement: stamped and signed letter of accreditation of the sending company (TV, radio, news agency, etc.)

• Visa issued to a foreigner for purposes of studying, teaching, scientific activity, training based on international treaty or international cooperation in the field of culture, education and science, or government level aid program, also this type of visa is issued to a member of the staff of the scientific, cultural institution operating in Hungary on the basis of international agreement

Special requirement: the original /not a copy/ of the statement or the letter of acceptance or admission of the receiving institution in Hungary

Visas of Private Purpose

• Tourist visa

For requirements, see the general requirements section.

• Work visa

(residence visa with a view to undertake employment or seasonal employment) shall be issued if the foreigner intends to visit Hungary for the purpose of undertaking employment on the basis of a valid work permit.

To receive a work visa, the applicant has to submit the original work permit. The work permit can be obtained in Hungary from the Employment Agency of the county (or Budapest) where employment is to take place. Application shall be made by the Hungarian employer or the Hungarian party to the contract stipulating the performance of the work. Once issued, the work permit shall be sent to the foreigner to submit with the visa application.

•  Self-employment visa

shall be obtained if the purpose of stay is pursuing an economic, intellectual, or artistic activity aimed at obtaining property or income earning, as well as any working activity not requiring a work permit. 

• putting equipment into operation, providing warranty or guaranteed repair or service work, as part of the contract with the foreign supplier of the equipment,
  
• for the executive officer of a company having foreign participation, (however it does not extend to work outside the scope of the regular duties of the executive officer,
  
• for the members of the supervisory board of the company having a majority foreign ownership,
  
• for educational, scientific or artistic activities of internationally renowned foreigners invited by  institutions of higher education, scientific research, and culture,
  
• for a member of a church to work at a church registered in Hungary or at an institution thereof.

To receive a self-employment visa, the applicant shall submit:

• in case of paragraph 1. – (certified copy of) the contract on supplying of the equipment
  
• in case of paragraph 2. and 3. - the company's articles of incorporation, the certificate of incorporation issued by the Court of Registration, certification of usefulness of the activity, as well as statements concerning the nature, scope and duration of the activities and the staff involved
  
• in case of paragraph 4. - the letter of invitation or request issued by the Hungarian institution
  
• in case of paragraph 5. the letter of invitation of the Hungarian church or its entity.
  
  
• Student visa

Special requirement: letter of admission or certificate of enrolment issued by the Hungarian educational or research institution, proof of payment of the tuition fees, proof of the possible scholarship, the address of the accommodation in Hungary (dormitory, apartment or hotel, the title of the residence).

•  Medical treatment visa  

Special requirement: certificate of the receiving Hungarian medical institution stating that payment for the expected costs of the treatment is secured.

• Visitor visa

Special requirement: letter of invitation (approved by the Office of Immigration and Nationality in Hungary) from a Hungarian citizen, or an immigrant, or a foreigner having a residence permit for a period of over one year in Hungary, or by a Hungarian legal entity.

• Visa for family unification

Special requirement: Proof of being a family member. In case of a refugee recommendation of the refugee authority.

• Miscellaneous visa 

Special requirement: proof of activity that would not fall in any of the categories above. This type of visa is also issued to family members of applicants, travelling with the principal applicant for more than 90 days - in their case proof being a member of family is required. This type of visa shall be issued to the foreigner whose stay in Hungary has been authorized by the alien policing authority for humanitarian reasons.

4. LIST OF COUNTRIES WHOSE NATIONALS DO NOT NEED VISA TO HUNGARY