Description

Hungary Schengen Visa Policy

Hungary Schengen Visa is a Schengen country with the same laws as other nations in the Schengen Union. Under their visa policy, any visitor coming to the country must hold a visa unless they are from a visa-exempt country. This policy conforms to the European Union’s visa policy programs which incorporate the individual programs of member states. Holders of visas issued by Hungary enjoy free access to passport-free zones in the Schengen Area.

Under the same policy, citizens of Schengen countries don’t need visas to enter Hungary, nor do they need passports; with just their ID cards, they can visit and stay for as long as they wish and engage in any legal activity as part of the Schengen protocol. However, non-EU citizens must have to hold valid passports for at least six months, and they can only visit for business, tourism, or transit. Those from non-visa-exempt countries must have valid visas.

Hungary Schengen Visa

The Schengen visa for Hungary is open to nationals from nearly 200 countries and territories. If your country is on the Schengen visa list, it means that you are not allowed to visit without a visa. This visa is issued by the Hungarian embassy to the applicant in person, allowing them to visit all member states of the Union for a total of 90 days combined. Applicants must fill out an application for me, attach relevant documents, and submit them to the Consulate or Embassy for approval.

Although there are works in the pipeline for applicants to apply for Schengen visas online, the European Commission has not finalized the process yet, so online applications for Schengen visas are not possible.

Hungary Schengen Visa ETIAS

Schengen visas are to non visa-exempt visitors as ETIAS is to visa-exempt visitors. Before now, Al visa-exempt visitors needed to visit Hungary was valid passports, and they were good to go. However, all this changed with the launch of the Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System. While they can still visit Hungary without visas, they must apply for this authorization online.

The European Commission has made it clear that pre-registration for Etias will be mandatory from the beginning of 2024 for all visa-free visitors from outside the Schengen zone.

ETIAS is a multi-entry electronic permit that clears a visitor for visits. The project is a pre-screening program for detecting persons who may pose any kind of threat to Hungary or neighboring nations. The sole purpose of Etias is to increase border security, and it is available in different forms, such as business, tourism, transit, and medical treatment. Holders of ETIAS can stay in Hungary for 90 days in 180 days.

Key Information About Hungary Schengen Visa ETIAS

Before completing your ETIAS application, take your time to read these important details to guide your actions.

Only For Visa-Exempt Visitors: This online authorization is only for visitors who hold passports of visa-exempt countries. Once ETIAS becomes active in 2024, it will become mandatory for visitors from visa-exempt countries. If you are not from a visa-exempt country, apply for a Schengen visa instead.

Primary Destination Rule: According to Schengen rules, visitors with the intention to visit multiple countries in the Schengen zone must make their way to the country that issued the authorization first before going to a different country. As a first-time user, make sure you visit Hungary first if you wish to visit multiple countries.

The 180-Day Cycle: Always respect the 180-day cycle for visitors. According to the rules, visitors must stay for at most 90 days within a 180-day period. If you have any intention of staying for much longer, you should get a national visa instead. Or better still, exit the Schengen zone, then re-enter once the last cycle is complete. The cycle starts counting when you set foot in any country in the Schengen zone.

Use Same Passport: Your ETIAS is attached to your passport, so make sure you always travel with the same passport anytime you visit Hungary or any country in the Schengen zone.

Not For Work: This approval is not for work. You must not seek or enter into any employment contract during your visit.

Expiration: Your ETIAS expires in one of two ways. After three years from the day it is approved or once the passport it is attached to expires or whichever comes first. If your passport will expire in less than 6 months, apply for a new one before applying for the ETIAS.

Security Screening: Once you submit your data, the system will screen multiple Ross security databases within and outside Europe. Applications that trigger security alert risks will be denied, while those that do not will be approved. However, the European Commission has noted that persons denied may apply and be accepted based on their circumstances. Also, note that applications not accepted or denied will be forwarded to the Local unit of the Hungarian authorities for manual vetting.