Hungary is a central European country between Austria and Slovakia in its north, Slovenia to the west, Serbia and Croatia to its south, and Romania and Ukraine towards its east. Hungary’s capital city, Budapest, features many museums, thermal baths, opera houses, and many UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Andrassy Avenue, Danube River embarkments, and Buda Castle. Budapest, Lake Balaton, Western Transdanubia, and Central Danube capture a major chunk of the tourist attractions in Hungary with its postcard scenic vistas, romantic architecture, mind-blowing thermal baths, and much more. Suppose you are looking for a refreshing holiday in this beautiful European country. You must plan to overcome your Hungary Schengen visa requirements, as it will be the first and essential milestone that you want to cover.

Hungary visa-exempt nations

Due to the Schengen member agreement, all Schengen member states are exempt from applying for a Hungary visa. Nationals of the United States of America, Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of South Korea are also exempt from applying for a visa before they enter Hungary. Suppose your country has signed a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen member states; you do not need a visa before you enter the Hungary border controls.

Hungary visa categories

Travelers who intend to travel to Hungary have various visa categories that are issued to applicants basis their purpose of travel. Each visa category has a defined purpose of travel and is issued to the applicants only if they fulfill all the criteria laid by the immigration authorities.

Transit visa

This short-term visa is issued to applicants who must land at one of the Hungary airports en route to their destination beyond the Schengen region.

All applicants who intend to apply for a transit visa must additionally present the following documentation as part of their transit visa journey:

• Valid passport
• Valid visa to the destination country
• Valid flight ticket to the destination country beyond the Schengen region.

Schengen visa

This short-term visa is issued to applicants who intend to visit Hungary for tourism, leisure, exploration, vacations, and reuniting with family and friends who reside in Hungary.

Business visa

This short-term visa is issued to applicants who intend to travel to Hungary to attend business meetings, conferences, negotiations, contract closure, and other business-related activities.

The following additional documentation needs to be presented as part of your business visa journey:

• Invitation letter from the Hungary-based company that indicates the traveler’s name, purpose of travel, travel dates, and the travel areas they are likely to visit. The letter should be issued on the company letterhead of the Hungary-based company that mentions their contact details and local address.
• The current employer should issue a no-objection letter for the applicant to travel to Hungary
• Proof of financial means being covered for the daily expenses of the applicant. This can be the current employer or the Hungary-based company.
• Business bank statement and trade license agreement if applicable.

Student visa

This short-term visa is issued to student applicants who intend to study a course, attend a training or internship, or conduct research at an educational institute, university, or school in Hungary.

The following additional documentation needs to be presented as part of the Hungary student visa journey:

• Enrollment or admission letter to a Hungarian university, school, or institute
• No objection letter from the previous university, school, or institute attended by the applicant, if applicable.
• A signed agreement by both parties for an internship at a Hungarian-based company

Medical visa

This short-term visa category is issued to applicants who intend to travel to Hungary to undergo medical treatment, consultation, or therapy at a Hungarian hospital or clinic.

The following additional documents need to be presented as part of the Hungary medical visa journey:

• A medical report by a local doctor in your home country confirming the applicant’s medical status and the need for medical treatment, consultation, or therapy at a Hungarian hospital or clinic.
• A Hungarian doctor, clinic, or hospital confirms the medical status of the applicant and their appointment for treatment, consultation, or therapy.
• Proof of financing the medical treatment and covering basic expenses during their stay in Hungary.

Visa for cultural, religious, sports, and film crew

This short-term visa category is issued to travelers who intend to travel to Hungary to attend or participate in a cultural, religious, or sporting event hosted in Hungary or are part of the traveling crew filming in Hungary.

The following additional documents must be presented as part of their visa journey:

• An invitation letter from the organizing body in Hungary details the event’s itinerary, duration, location, and the sequence of activities.
• Entry tickets for the event
• Enrolment conditions laid down by the organizing body
• Validation for previous performances, such as winner or participation certificates and ceremonies.

For film crew members, they need to share the following:

• Letter from the filming company detailing their name, shooting locations, and film synopsis.
• Film crew members need to submit the complete list of traveling crew members along with their designations
• Approval or film permits by the Hungarian body or authority

Visa for an official delegate member

This visa is issued to applicants from an official delegation visiting Hungary.

The following additional documentation needs to be presented as part of their visa journey:

• Official invitation letter from the Hungarian government or authority detailing the applicant’s name, travel dates, and purpose of travel.
• No objection letter from the authority or government body in the applicant’s residing country.

Visa for the spouse of a Hungarian national

This short-term visa is issued to applicants who are spouses of Hungarian nationals.

The following additional documentation needs to be presented as part of their visa journey:

• Hungarian marriage certificate
• Hungarian family book
• Validation of their spouse’s Hungarian nationality

Visa for minors

• All minor applicants must present the following documentation as part of their visa journey:
• Birth certificate of the minor
• The minor’s visa application form must be signed by both parents
• Family court order copy if the minor’s full custody is with one of the parents
• Suppose the minor is traveling with an adult; the passport and visa copy of the accompanying adult, along with a notarized copy signed by both parents.

Documents required for your Hungary visa application process

The following documents need to be presented during your Hungary visa application process:

Visa application form

Complete your Hungary visa application form online without leaving any missed fields, even if those do not apply to you. Sign your printed visa application form once you print it.

Original passport

Your passport must be issued in the last ten years and valid beyond three months from the departure date from Hungary. You should also have two blank pages to issue the entry and exit visa stamps.

Passport-size photographs

Two identical passport-size photographs were captured against a white background in the last three months and meet the photo specification guidelines laid down by the Schengen authorities.

Round-travel air tickets

A confirmed round-trip flight ticket that clearly mentions the departure and exit travel date, destination, flight details, and passenger name.

Travel Health insurance

Health insurance of a minimum of 30,000 Euros is valid during your entire stay in Hungary and issued by an authorized provider. This will help cover any medical emergency that can crop up during your Hungary stay.

Proof of accommodation

A valid and confirmed hotel accommodation in Hungary is valid during your Hungary vacation. The confirmed accommodation should state the traveler’s details, travel dates, and contact details of the Hungary hotel.

Proof of financial means

Validate your financial capability for covering your basic expenses during your stay through the last six months’ bank statement and the last three months’ salary slip.

Cover letter

A cover letter summarizes your travel details, such as travel dates, purpose of travel, flight details, hotel or accommodation, and places of interest that are addressed to the embassy, consulate, or visa application center you are applying.

Proof of civil status

Validate this requirement through the death certificate of your spouse, marriage certificate, birth certificate of your children, etc.

Hungary visa application process

The visa process for all visa categories is almost the same, with slight variations depending on the visa category the applicant has applied.

• Find the Hungarian embassy, consulate, or visa application center nearest your location.
• Finalize the visa category you would like to apply.
• Collate all the supporting documents for your visa application form to be submitted.
• Pay the non-refundable visa fee
• Book an interview appointment at the embassy, consulate, or visa application center you have applied.
• Attend the scheduled interview and submit all the documents, including the visa fee receipt.
• Wait for the visa processing timeline.

Visa fee

Kids below six years old do not pay any visa fee. Adult applicants pay 80 Euros per application, whereas children between six and twelve years pay 40 Euros.

Visa processing timeline

On average, your Hungary visa is processed in 15 calendar days. However, depending on your nationality and the backlog of the embassy, consulate, or visa application center to which you have applied, your visa processing timeline can be further delayed. Apply for your visa, keeping in mind any unforeseen delays in your visa processing timeline.

Extension of your Schengen visa

Your Schengen visa can be extended only under exceptional circumstances such as force majeure, war, political instability in your residing country, or a family emergency. The extension of your Schengen visa is at the discretion of the Hungary immigration officials.

Revoking your Schengen visa

Your Schengen visa can be revoked at the border control if you cannot validate the issuance of your Hungary visa or the circumstance that visa issuance is no longer valid.

Conclusion

Hungary’s culture and heritage have been influenced by diverse past experiences, from the Ottoman invasion to Italian Renaissance influences, evident in the diversity across various elements throughout the country. You must understand the various milestones of your Hungary visa journey, as it will be the starting block of your wonderful Hungary holiday. Book your Hungary holiday as you wait to be inspired by the beautiful Hungarian culture, landscapes, and rich history.