WORK PERMIT

With an attractive balance of labour costs and work quality, advantageous business incentives, a competitive tax system, and investment-friendly economic policies, Hungary is a notable business expansion option that is ripe with opportunity for foreign companies and entrepreneurs.

Hungarian visa and permit regulations vary according to the zones foreign nationals reside in – The European Union, the European Economic Area, and outside zones are all affected by these regulations

However, not all companies have the resources or the time to do all the legwork. At Bradford Jacobs, as a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) with years of experience in Employer of Record (EOR) services, we have plenty of both to help you arrange the required visas and permits.

The required Visas and Permits in Hungary

For a foreign national to enter Hungary in order to work, there are a few works permits and visas one can apply for:

Types of Permits

• Individual work permit – For foreign nationals who want to work in Hungary for not more than 90 days over a 180-day period.
• Joint work permit – For foreign nationals who wish to work in Hungary for more than 90 days within a 180-day period.
• Residence permits – permits residency in Hungary for up to 90 days.
• Single application procedure – For non-EEA nationals who wish to reside in Hungary for more than 90 days within a 180-day period. This permit type can only be applied for through an employment relationship with a Hungarian employer.

Types of Visas

• Long Stay Visa (D) – For those who wish to stay in Hungary long-term, and also acts as a pre- approved residency permit.
• Working Schengen Visa – This visa type is used for short-term employment opportunities.
• Schengen Business Visa – For foreign, non-EEA nationals who wish to travel to a Schengen area for temporary purposes. This visa can be used for single or multiple entries. It allows holders to stay for 90 days within six months.
• Seasonal Employment Visa – for foreign nationals who wish to work in agriculture, animal husbandry, or fishing are eligible for this visa. This allows the applicant to work for no more than 180 days.
• EU Blue Card – a highly-skilled non-EU worker residing in an EU-member country can apply for this card as long as a residence permit is also acquired. To be eligible for this card, the foreign national will need to prove 18 months of lawful stay in a member state.

How to obtain a Hungarian Work Visa?

For non-EEA employees to work in Hungary, they will need a Long-Stay Visa, a work permit, and a residence permit. A common process is to get these done through the single application procedure of the work permit.

The documentation for the application of a work permit depends on the type of permit being applied for, but the process involves the collaboration of the employer and the national immigration authorities, as well as the foreign national.

The single application procedure is specific to applications made by non-EEA nationals, who want to apply to work in Hungary and are in an employment relationship with a Hungarian employer for more than 90 days within a 180-day period.

For the visa/residence permit application, the following documents that must be translated to Hungarian or English and legalized (although documentation requirements may vary according to country of the non-EEA employee):

• The application form: which can be submitted electronically or by hand
• A valid passport: Your passport must be issued within the last 10 years, contain at least two blank pages, and be valid at least 3 months after the visa’s duration
• Photos: Passport photos that have been taken around the time of application, in colour
• Reference letter from prospective employer (original and copy from government e-portal)
• Proof of sufficient funds and means
• Proof of accommodation
• Plane ticket reservations
• Proof of health insurance
• A certified copy of a valid employment contract
• Proof of employee’s qualifications and experience
• Any relevant certifications, licenses, references, or authorization

How to Apply for work visa/work permit in Hungary

Before the application of a visa/residence permit, a work permit must be applied for by the employer, which follows this process:

1. Advertise the job in the Hungarian Labour Office for 15 days to allow sufficient time for an unemployed Hungarian national to compete for the position.
2. Submit a manpower request to the applicable regional branch of the Labour Centre – this request must be done with the following requirements: a valid workforce requirement for the overseas individual, an absence of local workers to fill the position, and the foreign national satisfying the employment conditions
3. Requests for a work permit must be made within 60 days of making the labour demand request, which requires the following documents: certificate of vocational qualification required to perform job activities, employment conditions certificate/contract, document certifying the employer’s title of operation, and a medical certificate.
   There are two types of procedures when applying for the work permit: General and Simplified. They vary according to the position the foreign national will have in the company, as well as possible exemptions.
4. The Labour Centre will 10-30 days to process the work permit application. Once approved, a resolution must be issued which specifies the information of the employer who is engaging the foreign national, workplace details, job description, work activities, and the employment term.

Once the work permit is acquired, the long-stay visa, which acts as a pre-approved residence permit, may be applied for, which follows these steps (although this can vary according to the country you are applying from):

• Fill in the visa application form
• Present documents: You need to present/attach the required documents you have collected to your application.
• Schedule an appointment with your embassy/consulate: Once application is done, you must make an appointment at your local Hungarian embassy or consulate. This process may vary according to the regulation in your country of residence and might include an interview.
• Go to the embassy/consulate & give your biometrics: Your fingerprints need to be scanned and facial image taken (if you have not travelled to the Schengen Area in the last 5 years) at the Hungarian embassy/consulate.
• Pay the visa fee: The payment process/requirements may also vary according to the country of residence.

It takes up to 60 days to approve a Long-Stay visa.

STUDENT VISA

International students who want to stay in Hungary for more than 90 consecutive days and who are not EU citizens are required to apply for a long-term student visa to stay in the country.

Student visa requirements for Hungary vary, therefore it's important to enquire well in advance about the entry regulations which apply to your home country. To receive a student visa for Hungary, you must first have an offer from a Hungarian university. You can only apply for your student visa prior to your departure from the Hungarian Consulate or Embassy that has jurisdiction in your state or country of permanent residence. Processing a visa usually takes around one month, but could be longer so make sure you apply as early as possible to avoid any unnecessary complications.

Documents required for your student visa for Hungary are:

• Proof of having paid the tuition fee
• An acceptance letter from the university regarding your admission
• Passport valid at least 6 months beyond your date of entry
• Copy of the photograph page of your passport
• Passport photo no more than 6 months old
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of address or housing in Hungary
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses in the form of bank assurance/statement
• Visa application form
• 3 stamped envelopes addressed to the applicant

When the consulates require an appointment, you may need to schedule it around 4 to 6 weeks in advance because appointment times are limited. After the appointment, the visa processing time usually takes an additional 1 to 4 weeks

You will need to apply for your residence permit within 15 days of arrival in Hungary. This applies to both EU and non-EU citizens planning to stay in Hungary for longer than 90 days

To apply for a residence permit, EU and EEA citizens need to submit the following documents:

• Proof of payment of tuition fees
• Approval document of the host university in Hungary
• Proof of health insurance