I . General questions II. Types of visas in Hungary and their fees III. Filing a visa application IV. Validity and renewal of the visaV. Staying in Hungary
I. General questionsDo I need a visa to enter Hungary?
Citizens of the EU member states and of the following countries may travel to Hungary without a visa: United States of America, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (only those, who possess a passport of the “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”), Croatia, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Macao (only those, who possess a passport of the “Regio Administrativa Especial de Macau”), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, Salvador, San Marino, Switzerland, Holy See, Singapore, New Zealand, Uruguay, Venezuela.
The Schengen visa does not authorise the bearer to enter Hungary, and may be used for transit purposes, under certain conditions, only by Ukrainian and Serbian-Montenegrin citizens. (Neither is it possible to travel further into the Schengen area with the Hungarian visa.)
I have heard that travellers may be returned from the border even if they have a valid visa. What is the reason for this?
A visa is only a preliminary permission for entry, which does not authorise its bearer automatically to enter the country. The traveller may be requested to provide proof of the existence of the conditions of his entry and stay in Hungary and, if he is not able to fulfil this, he may be returned from the border.
II. Types of visas in Hungary and their fees What kinds of visas exist in Hungary?
airport transit visa (A): authorises the bearer to enter the international zone of the airport and to a one-time or two-time stay there until the time of the departure of the flight to the target state
transit visa (B): authorises the bearer to a one-time, two-time transit or multiple transits, not exceeding 5 days at a time
entry visa authorising to a short term stay (C): authorises the bearer to a one-time, two-time entry or multiple entries and, in case of an uninterrupted stay, to a stay of maximum 90 days, while in the case of an interrupted stay, to a stay of altogether maximum 90 days within the 6 months counted from the date of the first entry
visa for a long term stay (D): authorises the bearer to a one-time entry or multiple entries, and to a stay in Hungary exceeding 90 days, but maximum 1 year long, and with a definite purpose
What is a national visa?
A national visa authorises the bearer to multiple entries, and to a stay in Hungary exceeding three months, but maximum 5 years long. It does not authorise the bearer to a stay with the purpose of contracting work, gaining income, studying, or participating in other scientific training. This type of visa may only be requested by the citizens of Romania, Serbia-Montenegro, Croatia, and Ukraine, at the Hungarian foreign representation in the countries listed above, only according to their citizenship or according to their usual place of residence.
How much does the visa cost? What kind of related expenses does it imply?
1. Application for a visa authorising to transit (B) or a short term stay (C) 45 USD
Application for an airport transit visa (A) 45 USD
2. Application for a visa authorising to transit (B) or short term entry (C), or airport transit (A), in a procedure without delay 55 USD
3. Application for a long stay visa (D)
a) at the foreign representation of the place of permanent residence or the place of habitual residence 60 USD
b) at other foreign representations 90 USD
4. Application for a residency visa, with the purpose of contracting seasonalwork 60 USD
5. Posting a visa 15 USD
6. Fee, above the visa fee, of issuing the visa on a separate sheet 25 USD
When shall the visa fee be paid? Is it sufficient to pay it when the visa is ready?
The visa fee shall be paid when the visa application is filed.
What other fees do I have to pay for obtaining a visa? (e.g. registration fee)
The consulate does not charge any other fees, other than the above fees, for issuing a visa. At foreign representations, where the payment of the visa fee is effected through bank transfer, the client also has to pay the cost of the bank transfer.
Do I get my money back if my visa application is rejected?
The fee is to be paid not for the visa, but for the handling of the visa application, thus the visa fee is not due back in the case of a rejection of the visa application.
May I pay in local currency or with a bankcard?
The currency of the payment of the visa fee is determined by the given foreign representation, this may be in euros, dollars or in the local currency. In most foreign representations, the payment may be effected only in cash. The competent foreign representation shall give information on possibilities other than these.
What kinds of fee reductions exist?
The visa is free of charge for children below the age of 14 and entered into the passport of the parent, and for the family members of EEA citizens. Children below the age of 7 years, travelling with their own passport, and the members of children’s groups consisting of more than 5 children may receive a reduction of 50%. Further reductions may also be given on the basis of bilateral agreements, about which the competent Hungarian foreign representations may give information.
III: Filing a visa application
Where shall I file my visa application?
Visa applications shall be filed personally at the Hungarian foreign representations competent in the place of the permanent residence or habitual residence of the applicant.
In case of an equitable condition certified by a document, the visa application may also be filed at another Hungarian foreign representation. Such an equitable condition may be e.g.:
If there is no Hungarian foreign representation in the state of the permanent or habitual place of residence of the applicant, his visa application may be filed in any other Hungarian foreign representation also dealing with the issuing of visas.
It is not yet possible to apply for a Hungarian visa at foreign representations of other EU member states.
May a family member file the visa application for me?
The general rule is that visa applications have to be filed personally, however, in case of family members travelling together, any member of the family who has reached his majority may file all the visa applications for the whole family. This does not exclude, however, for the other family members to be called upon to present themselves personally, if the consul deems this necessary.
May my friend, colleague file my visa application for me?
Friends or acquaintances may not file visa applications. If the purpose of the visit is an official, business visit, then the representative of the employer may file the application, if he possesses an appropriate authorisation. In case of group visits (e.g. art or school groups), the application may be filed by the leader or the representative of the group, if he has an appropriate authorisation. This, however, does not exclude the eventuality that the consul, if he deems it necessary, may call upon the applicants to present themselves personally.
May I send my visa application by mail?
The general rule is that visa applications shall be filed personally. In case of an equitable condition (e.g. a great distance from the foreign representation) the foreign representation may decide to accept a visa application sent by mail. This shall be cleared up with the foreign representation in all cases before sending the application.
What documents do I have to attach to the visa application?
Important! : 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.
How may the financial coverage of the expenses be certified?
How may the official letter of invitation be applied for at the Office of Immigration and Nationality?
An official letter of invitation of the Office of Immigration and Nationality may be acquired personally at the Ministry of the Interior - Office of Immigration and Nationality (at the regional directorates or the customer service offices of the Ministry of the Interior - Office of Immigration and Nationality). (See: opening hours for customers: www.bmbah.hu)
The inviting party may be any Hungarian citizen or any foreigner with a valid immigration, settlement or residence permit, who may file the application for an invitation letter personally, on a form determined for this purpose at his domicile or place of residence or, if the inviting party is a legal person, then by the way of its representative, at the alien control authority competent at its seat.An exemption from filing the application personally may be requested from the alien control authority competent by area in exceptional cases – if for example the old age, the illness, the hospital treatment of the inviting party justifies this.The procedure is subject to fees, which shall be paid when filing the request, in the form of duty stamps.The invitation letter may be utilised within six months.The letter of invitation issued by the Office of Immigration and Nationality certifies both the purpose of the visit and the existence of the financial coverage.The authority issues the letter of invitation to the inviting party, who shall then take care of transferring it to the invited party.
What may be used to certify the purpose of the entry?
When applying for a transit visa:
When applying for a visa for a short term stay:
When applying for a visa for a long-term stay:
In case of a visa for employment:
In case of a visa for educational purposes:
In case of a visa for family reunification:
In case of a visa for visiting:
In case of a visa for gainful purposes:
In case of a visa for medical treatment:
Shall I annex original documents or photocopies to the visa application?
Documents shall be annexed to the applications being filed in original, if possible. If the client needs the original document later on, then a photocopy shall also be annexed besides presenting the original document.
Important! The consul may request further certificates besides the above listed documents. The consulate reserves the right to examine the authenticity of the communicated data and the filed documents. The communication of false data in itself will lead to the rejection of the visa application.
Is it necessary to ask for an appointment for filing the application?
This is not necessary in most Hungarian foreign representations, but it is advisable to get information on the opening hours, as these may differ by foreign representation. There may be workdays, when the foreign representation does not accept applications or accepts certain kinds of applications only (those filed by travel agencies, visa applications for long-term stays), and foreign representations are closed on Hungarian holidays, and usually on the holidays of the receiving country as well.
When may I file my visa application?
The consulate may receive visa applications at the earliest 3 months before the beginning of the visit.
Is it necessary to purchase and present my ticket when filing my visa application or is it sufficient to have a reservation?
Basically, it is sufficient to have a reservation when filing the application, however, the consul may ask for the presentation of the ticket when issuing the visa.
How much time must lapse before I may file a new application?
The legal regulations do not provide for this. In case the visa was utilised normally, a new application may be filed at any time, without further ado. In case the previous visa application was rejected, it may be expedient to file a new application if the condition, which was the reason of the rejection, has changed.
Where may I find the address and other contact information of other foreign representations?
The information is accessible on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mfa.gov.hu
Will the Hungarian consul reject my application if previously I had not received a visa to one of the Schengen countries?
For the time being, Hungary does not issue Schengen visas, and has no access to the alerts for the purpose of refusing entry in the Schengen Information System. If the Hungarian consul gains possession of such information that the applicant had been rejected at one of the Schengen consulates, then he will examine the application even more thoroughly, and will try to gain information from his Schengen colleague on the reason for the rejection, however, he will not automatically reject the application.
May I apply for a visa if my passport is full?
A Hungarian visa may not be pasted to a passport page where there is any stamp, note or visa. Neither may a visa be pasted on such empty pages, which are reserved for the notes of the local authorities. If a passport contains only such empty pages, it shall also be considered full. In cases requiring especially equitable treatment (e.g. if the entry becomes necessary because of the grave illness of a close relative, and there is not enough time for the replacement of the passport), a visa may be issued on a separate sheet, for which the consulate may charge a 25 euro surcharge.
What kind of legal remedy do I have if my visa application has been rejected?
There is no legal remedy against the rejection of an application for an A, B or C visa. In case of rejection, a new application may be filed, accompanied by the repeated payment of the visa fee. In case of the rejection of an application for a D visa, the written resolution on the rejection will contain the necessary information on the possibilities of legal remedy. If the person intends to complain against the work of the consulate, he may file his complaint to the head of the consular department, the head of the foreign representation or to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
IV. Validity and renewal of the visa
Why the Schengen visa is not valid in Hungary?
When becoming a member of the EU on 1 May 2004, Hungary did not automatically become a member of the Schengen area as well, thus a Hungarian visa may only be utilised to enter (or transit through) Hungary, while it is not possible to enter or to transit through Hungary with a Schengen visa (with the exception of citizens of Ukraine and Serbia-Montenegro, who may do so on the basis of bilateral agreements). As far as can be foreseen, Hungary will not become a full member of the Schengen system before October 2007.
Is there a possibility to renew the visa in Hungary?
The visa is not renewable. In especially justified cases (e.g. grave illness, grave illness or death of a close relative), the Office of Immigration and Nationality may issue a certificate entitling to a temporary stay.
What shall I do if I could not utilise my visa?
Expired and unutilised visas will not be renewed. Instead, a new visa application shall be filed, annexing new supplements, and with the repeated payment of the visa fee.
V. Staying in Hungary
How long may an EEA citizen stay in Hungary without a visa?
The entry of EEA citizens to Hungary is visa-free, and they may stay on the territory of the Republic of Hungary without a special permission for a period of time not exceeding ninety days. They may stay for a period of time exceeding 90 days with an EEA residence permit, which they may apply for at the regional organisations of the Office of Immigration and Nationality.
What shall I do if I intend to spend a period of time longer than 90 days in Hungary?
After having collected the documents necessary for the purpose of staying in Hungary, a “D” visa may be applied for at the foreign representations.
How much time may I spend in Hungary with a multiple visa?
The bearer of the visa shall not spend more days in the country than determined in the visa, and shall leave the country by the last day of the validity of the visa. In case of a “C” visa, the number of days designates the total number of days, which may be spent in the country. Thus, in case of a multiple “C” visa, if the number of days that may be spent is e.g. 40, then the bearer of the visa may spend once 40 days in the country, or 4 times 10 days, or 2 times 10 days and once 20 days, etc. In case of a multiple “B” visa, thus a transit visa, the number of days marked on the visa designates the number of days that may be spent within each stay. This may not be longer than 5 days per stay. It is true for both the “C” and the “B” visas that, within a half year counted from the first entry, the number of days spent may not exceed 90.