Worrk and Self-employment Visas

Unless otherwise provided by legal regulations or international agreements, foreigners planning to visit Hungary with the purpose of employment or other income-earning activity shall obtain a work visa or a self-employment visa before entering Hungary, regardless of the length of their stay.

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.

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.

Travelling to Hungary to establish or maintain business contacts, or to negotiate business deals on an ad hoc basis, do not fall under the category of "work", and can be affected either visa free or by a short-term entry visa.

• 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 - e.g. he cannot drive the cab as executive officer of a taxi company),
• 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.

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.