When do Ukrainians need a visa to Hungary and how to apply for it?

Hungary is a part of the Schengen area, so for short-term tourist trips of up to 90 days, a biometric passport is sufficient for Ukrainians. Find out when Ukrainian citizens need a visa to enter Hungary and how to apply for it correctly to avoid common mistakes

Legal advice on migration issues

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Are you planning a trip to picturesque Hungary? One of the first questions that arises for Ukrainian citizens is the visa regime. Do you need a visa to visit this neighbouring country? Hungary is a Schengen country, so you can enter without a visa with a biometric passport and stay in the country for 90 days within a 180-day period. So, tourists don't need a visa, but if you plan to stay in Hungary for a long time, you need to get acquainted with all the nuances of obtaining a work, student or other types of visa. In this article, we will take a closer look at the current entry rules, types of visas and the specifics of obtaining them, and you can get detailed advice from Visit Ukraine specialists - experts in visa legislation.

When do Ukrainians need a visa to enter Hungary?

Ukrainian citizens planning short-term trips to Hungary not exceeding 90 days within a 180-day period do not need a visa. Hungary is a member of the Schengen area, and Ukrainian citizens are entitled to a visa-free regime for such trips for tourism or other purposes that do not involve a long stay or paid activity.

However, there are cases when Ukrainian citizens need to apply for a visa to enter Hungary

Long-term tourist trips

If you plan to stay in Hungary for tourist purposes for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a national type D visa. This visa allows for a long-term stay in the country and has its own special requirements for documents and processing.

Long-term trips with a specific purpose

If the purpose of your trip to Hungary is not just tourism, but other purposes that involve a long stay or certain activities, you will also need a corresponding visa. Such purposes may include work, study or other long-term goals.

Employment

To be employed in Hungary, you need to obtain an employment visa. The procedure for obtaining a work visa usually requires a work permit from your Hungarian employer.

Education

To study at Hungarian educational institutions on programmes lasting more than 90 days, you need a student visa. To obtain it, you must have a confirmation of enrolment.

Family reunification

If you are a family member of a Hungarian citizen or a person legally residing in Hungary and entitled to family reunification, you will need to apply for a visa for this purpose.

Other long-term purposes

There are other grounds for long-term stay, such as academic activities, cultural exchange, etc., which also require a national type D visa that corresponds to the purpose of the trip.

Thus, for short-term tourist visits of up to 90 days, Ukrainians do not need a visa, but for longer stays or trips with a specific purpose (work, study, family reunion), the appropriate visa is required.

How to apply for a visa to enter Hungary?

In order to obtain a visa to enter Hungary, a Ukrainian citizen who needs it (for example, for a long-term stay or for work, study, family reunification) should follow the following steps:

Step 1: Determine the type of visa

First of all, you need to clearly define the purpose of your trip, as this determines the type of visa you need to apply for. It can be a long-term national visa of type D (e.g. for work, study, family reunion) or another type of visa if there are special circumstances. Make sure you choose the right type of visa, as the document requirements and application procedure may differ. Information on visa types and requirements can be found on the official website of the Hungarian Consulate in Ukraine or a visa application centre.

Step 2: Prepare your documents

After determining the type of visa you need, you need to collect the required package of documents. It usually includes:

International passport: Original and copies of the pages with personal data and previous visas (if any). The passport must be valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from Hungary and have at least two free pages for the visa.

Photos: Two biometric photographs of the prescribed format (colour, taken no earlier than six months before submission, against a light background, without glasses or headgear, unless required by religious beliefs) are usually required.

Health insurance: A health insurance policy valid in all Schengen countries (if applicable to a national visa type D, there may be other requirements for the territory of validity), with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000, covering the costs of emergency medical care, hospitalisation and medical repatriation.

Proof of financial solvency: Documents confirming that you have sufficient funds to stay in Hungary (e.g. bank statement for the last three to six months, income statement from your place of work, sponsorship letter and sponsor's documents). The specific amount depends on the purpose and duration of the trip.

Documents confirming the purpose of the trip:

- for work: work permit from a Hungarian employer, employment contract.

- For study: a letter of acceptance from a Hungarian educational institution.

- For family reunification: documents confirming family ties and legal residence of a relative in Hungary.

- for long-term tourism: a detailed travel plan, confirmation of accommodation booking, round-trip tickets (if available).

The consulate may require additional documents depending on the type of visa and the applicant's individual situation.

Step 3: Making an appointment to submit documents to the Hungarian consulate

To apply for a visa, you usually need to make an appointment at the Consular Section of the Embassy of Hungary in Ukraine or at a visa application centre, if it serves your city. You can make an appointment online on the website of the consulate or visa centre or by phone. It is recommended to make an appointment in advance, as waiting times can be long, especially during peak periods.

Step 4: Submit your application through a visa application centre (if necessary)

Many cities in Ukraine have visa centres that act as intermediaries between applicants and the consulate. If your city has a visa centre, you will probably need to apply through it. On the visa application centre's website you will find information about the application procedure, required documents and service fees. You can also usually make a request to submit documents through the visa application centre's website or by phone.

Step 5: Submitting documents and paying fees

At the appointed time, you must personally appear at the consulate or visa application centre to submit the prepared package of documents. Your biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) may be collected during the application process if you have not previously submitted them for a Schengen visa within the last 59 months. Also at this stage, you will need to pay a consular fee and, if applying through a visa application centre, a service fee. The amount of fees depends on the type of visa.

Step 6: Obtaining a visa: processing time and delivery options

After submitting the documents, the Hungarian consulate processes your visa application. The processing time may vary depending on the type of visa, the workload of the consular section and other factors, and can range from several weeks to several months for long-term visas.

It is recommended that you track the status of your visa application on the website of the consulate or visa application centre, if available. After receiving your passport, carefully check that all the data in the visa is correct.

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How can I avoid mistakes when submitting documents?

The most common mistakes when applying for a visa are

1. Insufficient study of the current requirements for a particular type of visa on the official resources of the consulate or visa centre.

2. Submission of an incomplete or incorrect package of documents, including the absence of the required originals, copies or translations.

3. Skipping the validity check of documents, especially passport and health insurance.

4. Inattentive filling in the visa application form with errors, corrections or incomplete answers.

5. Providing photographs that do not meet the established standards.

6. Insufficient financial proof or submission of outdated bank statements.

7. Lack of clear evidence of the purpose of the trip, such as booking confirmation, invitation or documents of study/work.

8. Inattention during the application process and providing false information when asked by the visa officer.

9. Ignoring the opportunity to use the advice of the visa centre to check the documents before submitting them.

10. Failure to verify the accuracy of the data in the visa you have already received.

How to avoid mistakes when applying for a visa?

To avoid mistakes when applying for a visa to Hungary, first of all, carefully study the current requirements for the type of visa you need on the official website of the consulate or visa centre and prepare a complete and correct package of documents, checking their validity, availability of necessary copies and translations, and carefully fill out the visa application form without errors and corrections. Make sure that your photographs meet the required standards and that the financial proofs provided demonstrate that you have sufficient funds. Provide clear evidence of the purpose of your trip, such as accommodation and ticket bookings, invitation letters or proof of study/work. Make an appointment to submit your documents in advance and be attentive during the procedure, answering questions honestly. If necessary, use the advice of a visa centre to check your application package before submitting it. Once you have received your visa, be sure to check that all the information on it is correct. By following these tips and paying close attention to each stage, you will significantly reduce the risk of mistakes and increase your chances of successfully obtaining a visa.

Contact a lawyer and let your visa be processed correctly!

Why should you contact Visit Ukraine lawyers to apply for a visa to Hungary?

Legal support significantly increases the chances of successfully obtaining a visa. Visit Ukraine offers:

- Consultations on the type of visa.

- Assistance in preparing documents.

- Checking the completed application form.

- Representation of interests at the consulate.

What can Visit Ukraine lawyers help with?

- Correction of errors in documents.

- Registration of medical insurance.

- Preparation for an interview at the consulate.

- Consultations on visa extension.

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