INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS FOR VISA (OR RESIDENCE PERMIT)
TO THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY

If your destination is not Hungary but Lithuania, please click here!

Since 21^st December, 2007 the Republic of Hungary became a member of Schengen Area, and applies the Schengen legislation in full. From the same day Schengen Area consists of 24 states: 22 of the 27 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) as well as Norway and Iceland. At the same time several members of the European Union, i.e. Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom do not yet participate in the Schengen cooperation.

Significant changes subsequent to Hungary’s Schengen-membership are that visas and residence permits issued by one of the Schengen States are valid also for Hungary,
visas issued by Hungarian representations abroad and residence permits issued by Hungarian national authorities are also valid for the entire Schengen Area. The visa sticker, which looks the same for all Schengen States, bears the words "valid for Schengen States".

The Schengen visa and entry regulations are only applicable for a stay not exceeding 90 days. Rules for a long stay exceeding 90 days are laid down by the national law of the member states concerned

General information of the Embassy

This set of information, reflects to the most important characteristics in the present Hungarian visa policy with a special regard to the practice of the Hungarian Embassy in Abuja.

Please read the below basic information carefully. If you have any question you could not find the answer here, please read also the relevant information at the main website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary or contact our Embassy staff.

Please, also read carefully the “General information for entering Hungary” part (downloadable in pdf format) at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

Since July 1^st, 2007 the concept “foreigner“ (non-Hungarian citizen) has been divided to two main categories due to the legal regulation came into force on the same day:

1. The Act No. I. of 2007 applies to EEA citizens who can enter and reside in Hungary without obtaining a visa.
2. The Act No. II. of 2007 applies to all those foreigners who are citizens of countries which do not belong to the EEA, that is to say “Third countries”.

The below information applies to the “Third-country” citizens, as Nigerian and all other West African citizens belong to this category. Therefore citizens of these countries need to have a visa or residence permit when entering the Republic of Hungary. Application should be submitted in person at the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary in Abuja. Honorary Consuls in West Africa still have the right to collect the visa applications in case of A-B-C types but they are not entitled to issue visas. Actually they will forward them to the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary in Abuja, however – in the future – it is expected, that – on behalf of Hungary – other European Embassies will issue Schengen visas in certain West African countries. (Information will be given later.)

Schengen visas

Hungary joined Schengen area on 21st December 2007. Therefore, from this date, the Hungarian Embassy issues Schengen visas – in case of transit (A and B) and short term entry (C). These visas are  valid to enter (or transit) all the 24 European member countries of the entire Schengen area. Also, Schengen visas, being issued by any other countries of Schengen area will make the bearer eligible to transit or enter the territory of the Republic of Hungary.

The principal rule deciding to which Embassy to turn to is the main destination of the traveler. The Hungarian Embassy in Abuja therefore welcomes those applicants whose main destination is in the Republic of Hungary. In addition – due to a recently signed inter-govenmental agreement – applicants with a Lithuanian destination can also submit their Schengen visa applications at our Embassy).

The Embassy of the Republic of Hungary is pleased to announce that due to an agreement concluded between the Republic of Hungary and the Federal Republic of Germany, Schengen visas – with the main destination of the Republic of Hungary – will be granted for Cameroonian nationals and Cameroonian residents at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Yaoundé from 1st of August 2009. Please note that the agreement does not cover applications for long-term residence (e.g. university students). Therefore German Embassy will not accept such applications, so students and any Cameroonians applying for long term residence permit to Hungary can submit their applications only at Hungarian embassies/consulates.

The address of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Cameroon is as follows:
Address: Rue Charles de Gaulle, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Phone: (00237) 22 21 00 56, 22 20 05 66, 22 21 44 34, 22 21 72 92
Fax: (00237) 22 21 62 11, 22 20 73 13
E-mail: info@jaunde.diplo.de
Homepage: www.jaunde.diplo.de

If your main destination is in another Schengen State, you are supposed to submit your application at that respective country’s Embassy or Consulate. However, with a Schengen visa you will be allowed to visit Hungary as well.

The “C”-type Schengen visa can be valid for 180 days, allowing the bearer to stay in Schengen countries up to a maximum 90 days. In case the applicant had a Schengen visa within 6 months before the application and stayed in the Schengen area for 90 days, he/she will not be eligible for another Schengen visa, jut after another 6-month period. In such a case, the applicant should either apply for a residence permit, or – if a very serious and urgent reason exists and in a very exceptional case – might get a visa with a limited territorial validity (LTV) to the Republic of Hungary only.

Long-term residence

The procedure has considerably changed in case of long-term residence (exceeding 90 days). The so-called D-type visa does not exist anymore, applicants should submit an application for residence permit. In case of such application, decision will be made by the respective Regional Directorate of the Office of Immigration and Nationaliy (BÁH).

In case of positive decision, the applicant will get a special short term, single entry visa with “D” indication with 30 days validity, which will enable him/her to enter Hungary. After arrival, the applicant is supposed to present his/her passport to the Regional Directorate of the Office of Immigration and Nationaliy (BÁH Regionális Igazgatóság) where the residence permit will be given (the residence permit sticker will be inserted to the passport there).

Attention! The mentioned short-term visa of 30 days is NOT a Schengen visa, it makes the bearer eligible to stay ONLY in Hungary, however a necessary transit of maximum 5 days through other Schengen countries is allowed.

Contacting the Embassy

Phone service

Visa information service telephone number: (234) 706-478-6188 (within Nigeria: 0706-478-6188) between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm on weekdays.

(Note: please DO NOT CALL the Embassy’s emergency/standby number for asking visa information!)

Email:

For visa application appointments only: appointment_visa_hungary@yahoo.com ;

In any other cases: mission.abv@kum.hu

Before contacting the Embassy by email, please note:

Our experience shows that a huge amount of information requests comes to the Embassy – every day – inquiring about such basic information on visa requirements which are available at this homepage as well. Also a lot of requests coming through mails with the view of soliciting exceptions from the general rules (like receiving applicants out of the consular hours, or we should accept applications or supporting documents through emails, etc.).

We need to call your kind attention that we might not reply to such inquiries at all. There is no possibility to open the consulate outside our consular hours and – by the law – we have to disregard all supporting documents which are not submitted in original and by the applicant himself/herself. So please, avoid sending us scanned invitation letters, etc.

However, if you have any specific question we will try to give you an appropriate answer at the possible shortest time.

Applicants are supposed to book an appointment for interview in advance through email. The appointment is valid ONLY when it was confirmed by the Embassy. The appointments will be fixed by time, between 8:00 to 10:00 am. Failing to show up on time can result in cancellation of the appointment. Registration for appointments will be done on the first come, first served basis. Only official or V.I.P. travelers may enjoy priority.

From 1^st January, 2009 the Embassy has been applying the above principles strictly, and does NOT receive anybody on “standby” basis.

In case of any applications an interview may take place if the Consul considers it necessary. Applicants must be aware that official minutes or sound-recording will be taken in the course of the interview which will be a part of the documentation of the application. Refusing to take part at the interview might result in an automatic rejection of the application. The same can be applied when the applicant leaves the Embassy’s premises before his/her application was processed by the Consul.

Office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays for

• submitting applications for visas and residence permits: From 8.00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., strictly on the basis of the above pre-registration.
• issuing visas (upon being previously notified about the decision): 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm.

The Hungarian Embassy charges visa fees (and any other consular fees) in Euros (EUR banknotes) only. No Nairas, US Dollars or any other currencies are accepted.

General requirements

Passport that must be valid for at least 3 months from the time of return from Hungary (or Schengen area).

Application form that must be filled with readable block capitals and signed by the applicant only. (Signatures will be verified.)

There are two major types of application forms:

Schengen visa application form (for transit or for a stay of up to 90 days „A-B-C” type visas)
(The same form to be filled in and submitted in any travelling purpose)

Application forms for residence permit (applying for a stay of more than 90 days in Hungary. (The previous universal application form of „D” visas has changed, there are new forms, varying from the exact purpose of residence. They are downloadable at the website /English menu/ of the Office of Immigration and Nationality, however you can receive them at the Embassy as well).

Photographs (not older than 60 days):

• In case of applications for Schengen visas: 1 (one) colour, standard portrait photograph;
• In case of applications for residence permits: 2 (two) colour, standard portrait photographs.

All supporting documents, which are supposed to be attached to the application, shall be original. No copies (faxed or scanned images, etc.), attested or not, shall be accepted. Any request for waiving this requirement shall be rejected without further consideration!

Application forms can be received free of charge at the reception desk or downloaded from here:

For Schengen visas (A,B,C):
http://www.kulugyminiszterium.hu/kum/en/bal/consular_services/Entry_of_Foreiners_to_Hungary/
Visa_application_forms/ (choose for English please);
For residence permits http://www.bmbah.hu/nyomtatvany_mintak.php  (Note: at first, please enter the English menu from main page: http://www.bmbah.hu/index.html, then go further).

Medical health/travel insurance covering at least emergency situations is required for the minimum value of 30,000 EUR. The insurance must be valid for the entire Schengen area and for the entire duration of visiting/staying in Schengen countries.

Fees to be paid

Visa application fee, which is non-refundable, is payable in cash in Euro (EUR) currency only when the application is submitted.

Visa fees are to be paid in EUR only!

For Schengen visa: 60 EUR
For residence permits: 60 EUR

Note: the above fees apply to citizens of all African countries. In case of applicants who are citizens of countries with which the European Union concluded special agreements (e.g. Serbia, Ukraine, Russian Federation) are supposed to pay a fee that is prescribed in the respective agreements.

There are several cases of exemption from the fees. In the practice of our Embassy the most typical cases will be as follows:

• children under the age of 14 and registered in the passport of a parent: free of charge
• close family members of EEA citizens, in case of travelling together, or if the purpose of visit is to join the family: free of charge
• children under the age of 6, travelling with their own passports free of charge

The applicant has to submit all the necessary documents following the special requirements listed above. The consul has the right to ask for further documents if needed.

Applicants must be aware that meeting the formal requirements is not a guarantee that visa will be granted. The Consul or the immigration officer will evaluate further factors as well, like the background and existence of the applicant, ties to his/her homeland, the reasonability and purpose of the planned journey, etc.

Special requirements according the purpose of entry and duration of stay

I. Transit visas:

Transit: if the applicant just intends to pass through some Schengen countries, the visa of the (non-Schengen) country of destination has to be already stamped into the applicant’s passport.

There are two types of transit visa:

Airport transit visa – marking of visa: "A" – entitles the holder to enter the international zone of the airport and to stay there until the departure of the flight to the state of destination

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.

Transit visa – marking of visa: "B" – may be single or multiple, entitling its holder to transit through Schengen area in a period not exceeding five days on each occasion
Attention: the 5 days transiting time limit is applied for the whole Schengen area (not only Hungary)!

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

II. „C”-type (short-term) Schengen visas – for up to 90 days of stay

Short term visa – marking of visa: "C" – entitling the holder for single, double or multiple entry within six months and in case of an uninterrupted stay for a stay of maximum ninety days from the date of entry or in case of an interruption for a stay in total no more than ninety days within six months from the date of the first entry taking all the entries into account. The following documents have to be submitted with the application:

The applicant has to prove that within the entire Schengen area his/her main destination will be in Hungary.

Tourism

• hotel reservation (voucher) possibly pre-paid; (if not pre-paid, the applicant is supposed to prove his/her financial ability to pay for his/her costs);
• in- and outbound air-ticket; (flight reservation is not enough, especially in case of first travelers).
• official letter from the employer, indicating the data of employment (e.g. date of recruitment, exact position and remuneration or including the payment certificate), or – in case of students – official letter of the university, or – in case of self-employment – the certificate of incorporation (CAC registration for Nigerians) with the statement of account of the business and the tax certificate;
• statement of account (with the indication of the amount of available liquid cash) issued by not earlier than 15 days before the application;
• health/travel insurance policy (strictly with the above-mentioned conditions).

Visit

• official letter of invitation from a relative or friend (who is living in Hungary or has a residence permit), or a company which is registered in Hungary, the official invitation letter can be either issued by the Office of Immigration and Nationality (BÁH) of the Republic of Hungary or can be a declaration of the hosting person or company which must be incorporated into an official declaration made by a public notary^* in Hungary. No any other form of invitation letters are considered official;
• official letter from the employer including the payment certificate, or – in case of students – official letter of the university, or – in case of self-employment – the certificate of incorporation with the statement of account of the business and the tax certificate;
• in- and outbound air-ticket or flight reservation sheet (in case of the latter the applicant is supposed to prove his/her financial ability to buy the ticket);
• health/travel insurance policy (strictly with the above-mentioned conditions).

^*Please note: the mentioned declaration on invitation must be made by a Hungarian public notary in a form of official document. It is not the same when the notary public just simply attests the signature (and personal identity) of the person who signed a self-made declaration. The latter, consequently, can never be accepted as an official invitation but can cause unnecessary expenditures to the host.

Business

• official letter of invitation from a company which is registered in Hungary^*, the official invitation letter can be issued by the Office of Immigration and Nationality (BÁH) of the Republic of Hungary, or can be a declaration of the hosting person or company which must be incorporated into an official declaration made by a public notary. No any other form of invitation letters are considered official;
• statement of account (with the indication of the amount of available liquid cash) issued by not earlier than 15 days before the application;
• pre-paid hotel reservation (voucher) unless the host company provides accommodation, which is to be indicated in the invitation letter; and in- and outbound air-ticket or flight reservation sheet (in case of the latter the applicant is supposed to prove his/her financial ability to buy the ticket);
• a certificate of incorporation of the local company or business, bank statement, tax certificate and a company profile;
• All of such documents which can be a proof of existing business relation between the host company and the invited person (or his/her company);
• health/travel insurance policy (strictly with the above-mentioned conditions).

^*Foreign-based companies, especially multinationals – in case of justified international meetings, conferences – also issue invitation letters. These ones, however, cannot be considered official but – on the basis of a case by case judgment – the consul may accept them when a specific, Hungary-based hosting partner institution cannot be identified.

Education (studies, training, scientific purpose)

• Letter of acceptance of the institution stating the fact of admission;
• evidence of accommodation (e.g. pre-paid hotel reservation);evidence of the payment of the tuition/participation fee or receipt of fellowship;
• official documents about the applicant’s studies or relevant professional background;
• in- and outbound air-ticket or flight reservation sheet (in case of the latter the applicant is supposed to prove his/her financial ability to buy the ticket);
• health/travel insurance policy (strictly with the above-mentioned conditions).

Medical treatment or care

• official letter of the hospital/medical institution which is ready to receive the applicant for medical treatment or care;
• the applicant has to present the proof that he/she possesses with the necessary financial assets to cover all the incurring expenses in the course of his/her treatment.
• If someone accompanies the applicant: accommodation and financial background for this second person as well (the accompanying person shall apply for a “tourist” visa).
• Health/travel insurance policy (strictly with the above-mentioned conditions) also for the accompanying person.

Special visa for family members of citizens of the European Economic Area (“EGT-C”)

From the day of July 1^st, 2007 close family members of EEA citizens can apply for a C-type visa (90 days, multiple entries) if their purpose of visit is to travel together (accompany) or join their family members who reside in Hungary. The visa application procedure in this case will be free of charge. (Holders of such visas will be eligible to apply for a residence card in Hungary (at the respective Regional Directorate of the Office of Immigration and Nationality) if they intend to extend their stay in Hungary beyond 90 days.)

III. Residence permits (for more than 90 days of stay) – special requirements  with regard to the purpose of entry

Education (studies, training, scientific purpose)

• Letter of acceptance of the institution stating the fact of admission;
• pre-paid hotel reservation or other evidence of accommodation (dormitory, apartment or hotel, the title of the residence);
• evidence of the payment of the tuition/participation fee (e.g. receipt of payment by the Hungarian university, proof of the possible scholarship);
• official documents about the applicant’s studies or relevant professional background;
• in- and outbound air-ticket or at least reservation;
• Passport of the sponsor and birth/marriage certificates to prove the parental relationship between the sponsor and the applicant.
  
  Sponsorship is one of the points which cause misunderstandings frequently. The applicant can be sponsored only by such close family members which are described in Article 13, paragraph No. 1 (f) of the Government’s Decree No. 114/2007 (V. 24.). In practice only parents can be sponsors. Relatives like uncle, aunt, cousin, in-laws do not belong to this category, therefore they cannot be accepted as sponsors. Letter of sponsorship, letter of employment (or certificate of incorporation) and bank statement of one of the parents/sponsor are needed stating and proving that the sponsor will cover all the tuition fees and costs of living of the applicant for his/her stay.
• health/travel insurance policy^* (strictly with the above-mentioned conditions) for the entire period of stay, unless the institution officially declares that the student will be provided with a full healthcare insurance. (In the latter case at least 3 months validity insurance policy is still required).
• In case of a residence permit for (scientific) research: – contract with an accredited research institute

^*Please note that the Immigration Authorities strictly require the existence of a continuous health insurance. Most of the Hungarian universities and colleges do take care of this issue, however it must be officially declared by them as well (possibly in their letters of admittance or even in a separate certificate). Otherwise the application might be rejected or the applicant can be called for supplementing his/her application which can unnecessarily prolong the procedure.

Voluntary work

• contract with a Hungarian host/recipient institution, organization (church, library, town hall, etc.)

Income-earning

• In case of Employment:
  • Valid permit of employment from the Hungarian Employment Agency;
  • Contract of employment, indicating the amount of salary in HUF;
  • Bank account statement.
  • Evidence of accommodation;
  • Evidence of means of living until the first salary received.
• Any other gainful activity:
  • Copy of the registration of the company or entrepreneur ID card;
  • Decision of the members about the salary or the rate of profit of the applicant in the company;
  • Bank statement and other proof of financial resources;
  • Accommodation and its legal status;
  • The simplified yearly statement of the company from the last year;
  • Certificate from the Hungarian Tax Authorities that the company does not have any debt of Social Insurance;
  • If necessary certificate about special studies;
  • If the company has a staff, their contracts.

Medical care

The same documents are required as it is stipulated at the C-type visa with medical purpose, with the evidence of the fact that the duration of the medical treatment or care will necessarily exceed 90 days.

Visit

The same documents are required, like it is stipulated at the C-type visa with the purpose of visit, with the evidence of the fact that the duration of the visit would exceed 90 days.

Family reunification

Attention! From the day of July 1, 2007 close family members of EEA citizens can apply for a C-type visa (90 days, multiple entries) if their purpose of visit is to travel together (accompany) or join their family members in Hungary. The visa application in this case is free of charge.

In any other case:

• official letter of invitation from the close family member in Hungary,
• Attested copy of the birth and/or marriage certificate,
• Proof of financial resources for the stay i.e. certificate about the salary from the Hungarian Tax Authority or the employer for the relative living in Hungary;
• Accommodation (and its legal status) of the relative living in Hungary;
• Proof of the extent of the commitment of the relative.

*

Duration of Procedures

According to the law, decision upon the visa application must not exceed 30 days. In case of countries with a visa facilitation agreement with the EU this time period is 10 days.

In case of residence permits, as a general rule, the Regional Directorate of the Office of Immigration and Nationality (BÁH) processes the application within 30 days. If the purpose of entry is study or research the directorates shall make a decision within 15 days

Rejection of the visa application

In case of entry ban or doubts concerning the application the consulate will refuse the visa application. Presentation of counterfeit documents is a reason for refusal in itself.

Notification on the reason for refusal can be obtained at the Embassy by the applicant himself/herself in person only. At the applicant’s request the notification can be issued in written form as well.^*

In case of refusal the consulate will not reimburse the visa fee.

There is no legal remedy against the rejection of an application, however, a complaint concerning the procedure can be lodged. Complaints will be examined in the first instance by the head of the consulate, in the second instance by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In case of refusal a new application may be submitted at any time. In case of a new application the visa fee has to be paid again.

In case of refusal of an application for residence permit, the client may lodge an appeal within 5 days from the notification. The appeal shall be submitted directly to that regional directorate of the Office of Immigration and Nationality that processed the application.

^*Important!

Please note that the law does not give the Embassy any room to communicate details or explanations to any other person (including family members and/or the Hungarian host) why a visa application was refused. In addition the Embassy – beyond informing about the necessary requirements – does not provide advice or “hints” how to make the repeated application successful.