Employment visa of Hungary

Applying for a Hungarian employment visa

Due to attractive economic conditions, developed infrastructure, good healthcare system, opportunity to get high-quality education, competitive tax system and investment-friendly policies, Hungary is a highly sought-after option for employment and subsequent citizenship.

Many foreign companies and businessmen have discovered the Hungarian labor market with new opportunities and attractive business conditions supported by the state. It is worth saying that obtaining an annual visa to Hungary and other types of Hungarian visas and permits differ depending on the areas where foreign citizens live.

When for residents of the European Union and the European Economic Area it is enough to present a document confirming registration, for non-residents, including citizens of the former USSR, there are rather strict restrictions, rules and conditions.

Our specialists have the necessary experience and have all the possibilities for those applicants who need to obtain a work permit in Hungary. We advise on any issues and select suitable options for immigration to Hungary and other countries of the European Union, saving your time, nerves and money.

Obtaining the necessary documents, as well as legalizing applicants for employment visa in this European country requires knowledge of the local legislation, and Hungary has rather strict requirements in this regard.

We are experts in the Hungarian recruitment process and we guarantee quick employment of applicants for employment visa in Hungary with legitimate documents and permits.

Existing types of employment visas and permits in Hungary

National visa of Hungary for a foreign resident who wishes to find legal employment  in this country implies obtaining various types of permits. Among them:

1. Individual work permit – suitable for those applicants who are looking for employment in the country for up to 3 months within a six months period;
2. Joint work permit – suitable for applicants who are looking for employment in the country for a period of more than 3 months within a six months period;
3. Hungarian residence permit – a temporary permit allowing a non-resident to stay in the country for a period of up to 3 months;
4. Universal application procedure – suitable for non-EU applicants planning to stay in the country for not less than 3 months every six months.

The last option of the permit is issued only if there is an employment agreement with a Hungarian employer.

So, what types of visas can be obtained by an applicant who is determined to work in the country with the prospect of obtaining a residence permit and citizenship of Hungary? First of all these are:

• D Visa of Hungary

The D Visa of Hungary is also called a long-term visa of Hungary. This document is suitable for applicants who intend to stay in Hungary for a long period of time. Also, the D Visa is regarded as a pre-approved temporary residence permit.

• Schengen employment visa

This visa option can be used for job applicants looking for short-term employment in the country.

• Business visa

Business visa of the Schengen area – shall be obtained by foreigners who are not residents of countries that are members of the European Economic Area. Business Schengen visa is suitable for temporary single or multiple trips. With this you can stay within the countries for up to 3 months within a six months period.

• Student visa of Hungary

Student visa of Hungary is issued with the prospect of employment upon reaching the age of 18.

• Seasonal employment visa

It is suitable for non-resident job applicants who want to work in agriculture, animal farming or fishing. An agrarian employment visa is issued for up to six months.

• The EU Blue Card

This is an employment visa of Hungary for highly qualified applicants with certified working experience and skill level. A blue or light-blue visa is issued simultaneously with obtaining a residence permit, and to obtain the visa the applicant must confirm the fact of legal stay in a country that is a member of the EU or EEA for an 18 months period.

The D Visa of Hungary – what is it?

How to get a Hungarian employment visa? So that an applicant could obtain such a document, he must first get a long-term visa, obtain a work permit and a residence permit. This is usually done using a universal procedure of applying for a work permit.

Types of documents for applying for a work permit depend on the type of permit requested, but the process involves the cooperation of the employer and national immigration authorities, as well as the foreign national.

An employment visa of type D of Hungary is required for every applicant who is not a resident of the European Union. If you want to work legally, this permit is obligatory. It should be understood that this is a long-term visa that acts as a pre-approved permit.

For this reason, any foreign citizen is entitled to only a 30-day stay in Hungary. As soon as the applicant enters the country, he must visit the regional office of the National General Police Department for Foreigners, which is responsible for the area in which their accommodation is located, in order to apply for a residence permit and register their accommodation within a very short time.

Non-EEA citizens will also be required to apply for a Social Security Identification Number from the National Health Insurance Fund Office, as well as for a Taxpayer Identification Number from the Tax Office.

A residence permit is valid for up to 3 years. A work permit is issued for a period of two years, and a visa is issued for a year.

Requirements for the D Visa of Hungary

Hungary employment visa type D is issued according to the established application protocol. First of all, you must provide the following documents, which must be also translated into Hungarian and English and legalized:

1. The registered form of the application, in handwriting or submitted in electronic format;
2. Valid document (applicant’s passport must be issued within the last 10 years, must contain at least two blank pages and be valid for at least 3 months after the visa expires);
3. Photos (at least 2 color photos of the established format, which are taken at the time of application);
4. Letter of recommendation from a potential employer (original and copy from the state electronic portal);
5. Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence;
6. Evidence of residence in a purchased or leased apartment or any other dwelling in the country;
7. Airplane tickets booking;
8. Medical insurance;
9. A certified copy of a valid employment contract;
10. Confirmation of qualifications and experience of the employee (if necessary);
11. Any relevant certificates, licenses, references or permits.

It should be understood that due to the high level of unemployment in Europe in general and in Hungary in particular, there are rather strict standards for the selection of job applicants who are not citizens of the country.

To obtain a Hungarian employment visa for a 2 years period you must first submit the application about the planned vacancy you are applying for. This application will be filed through the Hungarian Labor Registry Office, where it will be broadcast for not less than 15 days.

If during this period there would be no inquiries regarding this vacancy among local citizens, it will be possible to continue obtaining an employment visa.

The applicant, represented by our company, submits a request for a vacancy to the relevant regional department of the Labor Center, which evaluates this application according to several criteria:

• The actual need for foreign labor power;

• Lack of local workers to fill the vacancy;

• The presence of a foreign citizen who meets the requirements for employment.

Work permit requests must be submitted within 60 days upon the request for labor demand, which requires the following documents:

• Certificate of professional qualification required for the performance of labor activity;

• Certificate or contract on employment conditions;

• A document confirming the ownership of the employer;

• Medical certificate.

When applying for a work permit, there are two types of procedures: general and simplified. They differ depending on the position of a foreign citizen in the company, along with possible exceptions.

The Labor Center will consider the application for a work permit within 10-30 days. After approval, the conclusion indicating information about the employer who hires a foreign citizen, details of the workplace, job description, types of activities and the period of employment must be issued.

After obtaining a work permit, you can apply for a long-term visa, which acts as a pre-approved residence permit, for which you shall proceed as follows:

1. Fill out a visa application form;
2. Submit the required documents accompanying your application;
3. Make an appointment at your local Hungarian embassy or consulate. This process may vary depending on the laws of your country of residence and may include an interview;
4. Provide your embassy or consulate with your biometric data (fingerprints, face photo);
5. Pay the visa fee, the amount of which may also vary depending on the country of residence.

Procedure time of the D Visa of Hungary

It usually takes from 30 to 60 days from the moment the first package of documents is submitted to the approval of a long-term D Visa. The process in each case is individual and takes into account not only the qualifications of the applicant, but also the vacancies he plans to fill.

The Blue Card of Hungary

Citizens of countries that are not members of the European Union and the European Economic Area are eligible to apply for a so-called Blue Card. The EU Blue Card can act as both a work and residence permit for highly skilled employees from non-EU countries who want to work and live in the EU.

Requirements for the Blue Card of Hungary

To count on the Blue Card for highly qualified applicants, confirmation is required. To match the qualification you will need the following documents:

1. Evidence of your higher education (higher education diploma, academic certificate and other documents). In some cases, confirmation of at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in this specialization will be required;
2. An employment contract with an employer valid for at least one year (this requirement does not apply to self-employed employees and entrepreneurs);
3. Evidence of salary, which must be at least one and a half times higher than the national average for similar specialties (unless a lower salary threshold applies);
4. Application for a long-term visa;
5. Required travel documents – passport, medical insurance, travel itinerary, etc.;
6. Evidence that you have fulfilled the legal requirements to practice your profession, if required by regulation.

Procedure time of the Blue Card of Hungary

A Hungarian employment visa under the Blue Card of Hungary is issued within 1-2 months. The registration fee is about 16,000 -17,000 forints. The Blue Card of the EU – Hungary is valid for 2 years and allows your family to accompany you with the prospect of subsequent naturalization and obtaining the citizenship of the European Union.

The blue Hungarian national visa is your chance for fast career growth, high salaries and life in a developed European country with effective laws, low taxes, high-quality education and well-functioning medicine.