Hungary Business Visa

With the capital city of Budapest being amongst the top GDP performing cities in the world and excellent business opportunities, businessmen travel to the country to perform business activities. The Hungary business visa has made it easier for people to enter the country. 

If you are an individual looking to take part in business-related activities in Hungary, you will need to possess a Hungary Schengen business visa. However, if you are a national of the Schengen countries or of one of the visa-exempt nations for Hungary, you do not need a permit to enter. In this case, you are able to enter and stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days without any visa. However, for those who do not come under this category and need a permit, it is valid for a duration of 90 days in a 180-day period and is issued as single-entry, double-entry, or even a multiple-entry.

How to Apply for Hungary Business Visa?

The Hungarian entry permit application is done using an offline application form. There is no online method for this as of yet. Before starting the application, you must ensure that you qualify to apply for the business category. If you do not, you must apply for the one that is apt for you. After this, you may start the application process as follows- 

To start the process, you must obtain all the documents that are required for the business visit. You can check this in the list mentioned further in this guide.

Visit the website of the VAC (Visa Application Centre), or the Hungarian embassy, and download the Hungary business visa application form. The form is the same for all the short-term Schengen category for Hungary. However, in the option asking about the purpose, you must mention this as “business”. 

Fill in the application form and print it. Sign the respective places. 

Proceed to book an appointment for the submission of the documents, biometrics, as well as paying the fees. You can choose the centre to be one of the VACs, or the embassy/consulate.

With the documents and the application form, visit the respective appointment centre. You may have to give an interview at the centre.

Please note that if you have already submitted your biometrics as a part of any Schengen application in the past 5 years, you do not have to submit them again. In this specific case, you do not have to visit the appointment in person. Instead, you can use any third party to submit them on your behalf, provided that they are equipped with a letter of authorization from you.

It is important to ensure that you submit only genuine documents. Submission of fake or forged documents and false information are grounds for automatic Schengen visa rejection. A refused permit can hamper your future travel plans. 

Eligibility for Hungary Business Visa

To be able to travel to Hungary in a business category, you must meet the following conditions. If you do not, your application will be rejected. 

You must be living in a country where are lodging your application. If you are residing in a residence permit in any foreign nation, you may apply it from the respective country.

You must possess a valid passport as per the requirements.

Your main reason for the visit must be to take part in business activities such as taking part in business meetings, conferences, trade fairs, etc.

You must possess sufficient funds to cover your expenses during the stay in the country. If being sponsored, you must be able to prove this as well.

You must be invited by a Hungarian organisation/company to visit the country for business.

You must apply for the permit only if -

Hungary is your only destination, or

Hungary is one of your multiple Schengen destinations, in which case you will be spending the majority of the time here, or, 

If there is no main destination, Hungary must be your port of entry.

Documents Required for Hungary Business Visa

As per the Hungary business visa requirements, the following documents are mandatory for applying. Keep in mind that there may be additional documents depending on individual eligibility.

A valid passport- 

It must consist of at least 2 blank pages.

Passports older than 10 years are not allowed.

It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.

Old passports, if any, are to be attached.

Print out of the completed application form

A covering letter from the sending company - 

This should include traveller’s basic details.

It should clearly mention the source of funds.

It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit.

It must be on the company letterhead and must contain the seal. 

It should be addressed to the Embassy of Hungary

Invitation letter from the Hungarian organisation/company stating complete details of the visit, in the Hungarian language

Travel itinerary/documents - 

A detailed travel itinerary 

Round trip flight tickets

Proof of accommodation 

Medical travel insurance coverage up to at least 30000 Euros

Proof of occupation -

Proof of occupation such as employment letter, Copy of business license, etc.

Financial documents -

Financial documents such as bank statements of the past 3 months, Passbook copy, ITR, etc.

Ensure that you carry all the original documents with you to the appointment centre. These will be verified by the officials there. However, you may have to submit only photocopies of a few of these documents as they will not be returned back.

Photo Specifications of Hungary Business Visa

Dimensions:  35mm X 45mm

Colour: Coloured 

Head must occupy the central position

Must be recently captured - within last 3 months

Background: Solid, plain white or grey

80% face coverage

Neutral facial expression

Glasses: Non-thick framed/prescription 

Headgears - only for religious reasons

Facial hair - permitted

Hungary Business Visa Processing Time

The time taken to process the business permit depends on aspects such as the number of entries, the volume of applications at the embassy, previous travel history, and so on. Normally, this process takes around 15 working days. However, in some cases, it may take up to 30 working days. In certain extreme cases, this can even take up to as long as 60 days. Since it is impossible to pinpoint the exact number of days for processing, it is suggested that you apply for the permit well in advance. You must apply at least 15 days before the date of travel, but no more than 3 months before.

Hungary Business Visa Fees

The fees for the process depends on a few factors such as the number of entries, the Hungary business visa duration, biometric charges, as well as any other service charges. Without prior notice, it can also vary upon the foreign exchange rates. As a result, it is necessary to determine the exact fees before starting the application process.

Entry Stay Duration Validity Fees

Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months  17000.0

Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months  17000.0

After Submission

Upon successful submission at the appointment centre, and the payment of fees, the application will be sent to the embassy or consulate for processing depending on the jurisdiction. Note that even though the VAC has full authority to accept the applications and take the biometrics, they have no role in the processing of the application. The processing is solely in the hands of the embassy or consulate.

If your application is successful, you can collect the passport and visa in person from the VAC/embassy, or you can have it delivered to you by the VAC for a specific fee. You may also get a third party to collect it for you, provided that they carry an authorization letter signed by you. 

How to Check Visa Status?

While you wait for a decision on your application, you may track the status of your application. You can do this by visiting https://www.vfsvisaonline.com/Global-Passporttracking and entering your reference number and date of birth. You may also contact the respective travel agency to know the status. The embassy directly will not provide answers to any queries regarding the status.

When you have this visa

Upon successful receipt of the business permit, you must follow the below-mentioned points. These are to ensure that you abide by the rules and have a pleasant stay in the country.

Keep a track of the expiry date, duration of allowed stay, and the number of entries mentioned on the visa sticker. 

Carry all the documents without fail while travelling. You may have to show copies of the documents required for the application at the entry port.

Ensure that you travel to Hungary within 6 months of the issue date. After this date, you will not be allowed to travel as the permit will become invalid.

While you are in the country, carry a copy of your travel documents with you. Also, ensure that you maintain the original documents safe. 

While you are on a business permit, you are not allowed to take part in work activities. However, you are allowed to engage in other activities that fall under the Schengen short term category such as tourism, visiting friends, etc.

You will not be able to extend the business visa under normal circumstances.

Since this is a Schengen type, you are allowed to visit any of the other Schengen nations. However, if you receive the Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) type, you can only visit the countries that are specifically listed on the sticker.

While you are in the country, you must respect their tradition and culture. You must also abide by the Hungarian immigration laws.

As a part of the European Union (EU) and Schengen Treaty, Hungary is an attractive location for companies and talent abroad. If your company is planning to open a new location in Hungary, however, you need to understand all the different regulations and laws. For example, do you know how to get a work visa in Hungary for every foreign employee?

Types of Work Visas in Hungary

All non-EU citizens must have a work visa and work permit to live and work in Hungary. As the employer, you’re responsible for the majority of the process, including providing documents to the immigration authorities. Some of the options include:

Individual work permits: Foreign nationals wanting to work in Hungary for no more than 90 days over 180 days should apply for an individual work permit.

Joint work permits: Joint work permits are for foreign nationals intending to work in Hungary for more than 90 days within 180 days.

Residence permits: Residence permits, also known as tartózkodási engedély, permit residency for up to 90 days.

Single application procedure: A third-country national can stay in Hungary for more than 90 days but less than 180 days through the single application procedure. This permit is based on an employment relationship with a Hungarian employer.

In addition to a work permit, your employees will need a Hungary work visa. Available visa types follow:

Seasonal employment visa: Anyone working in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, or fishing must have a work permit and a seasonal employment visa. This visa counts for both single and multiple entries and allows the applicant to work for greater than three but fewer than six months.

EU Blue Card: Any high-skill worker from an EU member country can get an EU Blue Card as long as they also have a residence permit. They’ll need to prove 18 months of lawful stay in a member state to be eligible.

Schengen business visa: Non-European citizens traveling to a Schengen country for short-term business purposes can get this visa for single or multiple entries. It allows holders to stay in the country for 90 days over six months.

Working Schengen visa: Anyone traveling to Hungary for short-term employment opportunities should apply for this visa.

Requirements to Obtain Hungary Work Visas

You must obtain work permits on behalf of all employees after meeting numerous requirements. First, advertise the job in the Hungarian Labor Office for 15 days to allow unemployed Hungarian nationals to apply. Then, submit a valid manpower request to the regional branch of the labor center. Hungary has quotas for foreign employees, and your number of work permits for foreigners cannot exceed the average number of workers requested by employers during the previous year.

From there, you can follow the general or simplified procedure. The labor center will make a final decision on whether you can get the work permit within 10 to 30 days of you applying. Once it’s approved, you’ll get a resolution issued by the labor center.

Application Process

Every Hungary working visa has a different application process. For example, some of your employees may be eligible for an EU Blue Card. They’ll need to:

Have a valid travel document

Certify the purpose of their entry and exit

Meet the legal employment conditions

Have full-coverage health insurance

Report a valid address for their stay in Hungary

The application procedure involves submitting a valid passport, biometric data, an application, and the documents above. After approving the EU Blue Card, the regional directorate will grant permission to issue a residence permit visa and notify the Consular Officers.

Other Important Considerations

If you want to employ European Economic Area (EEA) citizens, remember that you don’t need to create an employment arrangement or acquire work permits. However, you must notify the Labor Center about employment and provide certain data, including the number of people employed along with their age, citizenship, qualifications, and more. The Hungarian Employment Center will verify the notification, which you should keep three years after terminating the employee.