Changes in visa issues after Hungary’s accession to the Schengen Area
Since December of 2007 Hungary has been part of the Schengen Area which actually consists of 24 countries, including 22 of the member states of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) plus Norway and Iceland.Please refer to the information material compiled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary:www.kulugyminiszterium.hu/kum/en/bal/consular_services/Entry_Foreiners_Hungary/SCHENGEN/
Therefore the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary accepts applications for, and issues visas valid for the Schengen Area.
Visa Free Entry
Citizens of the EU and EEA member states and of the following countries may travel to Hungary without a visa:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (the exemption applies only to holders of a “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”), Iceland, Israel, Japan, Macao (the exemption applies only to holders of a “Regio Administrativa Especial de Macau” passport), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Salvador, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican, Venezuela.
Following Hungary’s accession to full membership of Schengen:
· Visas and residence permits issued by any of the Schengen Member States are valid also for Hungary, while
· Visas issued by Hungarian representations abroad and residence permits issued by Hungarian national authorities re also valid for the entire Schengen Area.
Entry Conditions for Foreigners under Visa Obligation
The Schengen visa and entry regulations are only applicable for a stay not exceeding 90 days. Rules for long stays of over 90 days are determined by the national regulations of the member states concerned. The rules for the issuing of Schengen visas at the diplomatic posts of the various states are generally harmonized, visa fees are uniform.
Visas issued for free of charge for:
- children under the age of 14 and entered into the passport of the parent:
- family members of EEA citizens:
- children under the age of 6, travelling with their own passports
- members of children’s groups consisting of more than 5 children
The documents needed for visa applications
I. General requirements:
- Valid passport (the validity of which has to exceed that of the requested visa by at least 3 months);
- 1 passport-size colour photo (not older than 6 months);
- a wholly and legibly completed, signed application form (downloadable here):
- a health insurance (a travel insurance providing cover for at least 30,000 € (~ 50,000 CAD) for financing urgent health services and homeward transportation for medical reasons, valid for the whole period of stay and for the territory of every Schengen Member State);
- a proof of lawful stay, if the applicant is not a citizen of the country where s/he is applying for the visa.
To fulfil the requirements of the visa application, the applicant, besides meeting these general requirements, shall also supply a certificate of the financial coverage of his expenses, and a certificate of the purpose of the visit.
The consul may ask for other documents or information in addition to the documents attached to the visa application.
Please be aware that the entry visa does not entitle the holder to study or to work during his / her stay in Hungary.
Under the regulations the decision making process on the visa application shall not exceed 30 days.
Visa Information
Visa fees are to be paid in Canadian dollars only. However, since fees were determined in Euro, prices may vary according to the fluctuation of exchange rates. For current rates please call the Consular Section in Ottawa.
The visa application shall be submitted in person by using the prescribed visa form (see download site) to the competent Hungarian representation according to the permanent or usual place of stay of the applicant (in Canada it is the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Ottawa: 299 Waverley Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0V9)
The Honorary Consulates do not accept and process visa applications.
Where a ban on entry applies or there are doubts concerning the application, the consular Section will refuse the visa application.
Notification on the reason for refusal is given by the consulate only to the applicant (i.e. not the representatives). There can be no appeal against a negative decision, however a complaint concerning the procedure can be lodged.
If the application for a visa is refused, the fee will not be reimbursed.
At the time of crossing the 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.
Residence Permit
After Hungary’s accession to the Schengen Area rules of staying in Hungary for more than 90 days will also change.
Those who wish to stay in Hungary for a period longer than allowed by entry visas and have a purpose of their stay must apply for a residence permit at the Consular Section. The Consular Section forwards the application to a regional directorate – according to the applicant’s intended Hungarian residence - of the Office of Immigration and Nationality (OIN), where the case will be processed. Upon approval the Consular Section will issue an entry visa for the applicant, which will allow him / her to enter Hungary and ask for the issuance of his / her residence permit at the local branch of the OIN without starting the whole procedure again.
The application has to be submitted in person at the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary in Ottawa (299 Waverley Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0V9).
However, citizens of countries without the visa obligation may enter Hungary on the basis of their visa exempt status and submit their application for a residence permit at the regional directorate of the OIN after their arrival.
The application forms for a residence permit listed according to purpose:
The documents required for the specific residence permits are listed on the forms.
Regional directorates of the OIN: