GENERAL INFORMATION

To visit Hungary you may need a visa. Visa is a permit to enter Hungary for a short stay visit not exceeding three months in any six-month period as a tourist, business people, to participate at a conference, cultural event or to transit between the terminals of Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport in Hungary. For detailed information on the application procedure, visa fee and supporting documents for various types of visits please see the relevant sections of our site.

Information on this site is relevant for

	Nationals of India, Bangladesh and Maldives who intend to visit Hungary;
	Applicants who have residence in India or stay in India for lodging an application in absence of any Hungarian visa representation in their country of origin are advised to refer to this site for information;
	Nationals of India who intend to visit Estonia and Latvia. Please be advised that Embassy of Hungary accepts visa application from other third country nationals for their short term visit if they have permanent or temporary long-term residence in India (tourist visa is not temporary residence for this purpose). Kindly be informed that visa application cannot be accepted these conditions are not met. The visa application procedure and conditions for issuing visa B aresame as for Hungary.

Kindly be advised that nationals of Nepal and Sri Lanka can submit their visa applications with the German Embassies in Kathmandu and Colombo respectively which issue visa on Hungary`s behalf. The visa application procedure and conditions for issuing visas are the same as if you wish to visit Germany. Therefore, you are advised to refer to the German Embassy in Kathmandu and German Embassy in Colombo websites respectively for further enquiries.

Diplomatic, service (official) passport and U.N. laissez-passer holders of India do not need visa to visit Hungary.

For working or studying in Hungary you need a residence permit. Please note that short term visa does not permit you to travel to Hungary for working or studying beyond 90 days. You can apply for residence permit at the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi. For detailed information on residence permits go online to http://www.mfa.gov.hu/kulkepviselet/IN/en/.

WHERE TO APPLY FOR A VISA?

Schengen States issue uniform visas for short stay visit and airport transit. However, it is important for you to know that Hungarian Visa Application Centre can only process your application if the destination of your visit is Hungary. The following criteria may help you to decide whether you should submit your visa application with the Hungarian Visa Application Centre.

	Hungary is the sole destination of your visit(s);
	Your visit to Schengen States includes more than one destination and Hungary is the main destination of the visit(s) in terms of the length or purpose of stay;
	If you cannot determine which is your main destination, but Hungary is the first Schengen State you wish to enter.

HOW TO APPLY?

You can lodge a visa application three months before the start of the intended visit. Holders of multiple-entry visa may lodge the application before the expiry of their visa. Visa application handling procedure takes up to 15 calendar days after the application is registered with the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi. Neither the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi nor the Hungarian Visa Application Centre can be held responsible for any delays in travel due to the time of processing a visa application. Therefore, you are strongly advised to apply well in advanced.
You are also advised to observe that applications lodged by nationals of Bangladesh are subject to prior consultation or information with other Schengen States which takes 7 calendar days except for airport transit. You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals are subject to such consultation here.

Visa application can be submitted at Hungarian Visa Application Centre by third persons presenting authorization duly signed by the applicant and certified by public notary.

It is important for you to know that mere possession of a visa does not confer an automatic right of entry to Schengen States including Hungary and that you may be requested to present proof that you actually fulfill the entry conditions at the entry border checking point. List of documents which may be requested are the same as you submitted as supporting documents for the visa application procedure.

Kindly be advised that visa application will not be accepted at the Hungarian Visa Application Centre for processing, if:

1)	Visa application is lodged three months before the start of the intended visit;
2)	Passport expires less than three months after the intended date of departure from Hungary;
3)	Passport contains less than two blank pages;
4)	Passport has been issued more than 10 years;
5)	Photographs is not as per specification;
6)	Application form is not duly filed and signed;

WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS I NEED TO ENCLOSE TO THE APPLICATION?

It is important for us that you feel comfortable and well informed before you start your visa application. Therefore, we wish to help you in preparing for lodging an application with the Hungarian Visa Application Centre. You find a checklist of supporting documents you are expected to enclose when lodging your application at different visa type sections. However, please be advised that individual circumstances can vary to a large extend, so the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi may request further documents for supporting your visit.

Please make note that all documents referred to under different visa type sections and marked with (*) have to be enclosed in original either in English or Hungarian language. Please read carefully which documents you need to present in Hungarian language!

Kindly be advised that travel dates must be identical on the application form, letter of invitation, airplane booking and prearranged accommodation.

Please be mindful of the fact that if you fail to comply with these general provisions the Consular Section may refuse your visa application without verifying its merit.

Kindly make note that originals have to be accompanied with a copy. Only those originals will be returned after the decision on the application is made which were accompanied by a copy. If you need to translate any of the supporting documents into English language please note that Embassy of Hungary cannot provide translation for visa application documents.

Sponsors of applicants are strongly advised not to send supporting documents by fax or e-mail to the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi. These documents should be submitted by the applicant when submitting visa application. Therefore, such unwarranted fax or e-mail messages are disregarded.

Please be advised that during the examination of an application, the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi may call you for an interview and request additional documents.

HOW LONG DOES THE VISA ISSUING PROCEDURE TAKE?

Visa application is assessed by the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi for up to 15 calendar days starting with the day the application is registered with the embassy. This period may be extended up to a maximum of 30 or exceptionally 60 calendar days in individual cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is needed.

You will be notified on the decision by the Hungarian Visa Application Centre. Please be advised that during the time of the assessment neither the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi nor the Hungarian Visa Application Centre will answer any form of enquiry regarding state or outcome of the procedure.

WHAT IF MY APPLICATION IS TURN DOWN?

If your application is turned down, the decision will be given in a written form in which the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi informs you on why your application was rejected. If you received a decision you are not satisfied with, you can submit a written appeal no later than 8 calendar days from the day you received the decision at the Hungarian Visa Application Centre. The appeal procedure has a fee of Rs. 2091 (EUR 30). The appeal must be presented at the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi in person. Please note that there is no exception to these rules.

The appeal is assessed and decided by the Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs in 15 calendar days after the submission. You may be requested to provide further supporting documents to the appeal procedure. Please be advised that during the time of the assessment neither the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi nor the Hungarian Visa Application Centre will answer any form of enquiry regarding state or outcome of the appeal procedure. Please note that the time of the appeal procedure cannot be reduced.

If turning down your visa application caused grievance to you, complaint can also be made with the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi. Your complaint will be duly assessed and answered in 30 calendar days.

In case your appeal or complaint was rejected you are entitled to submit a visa application anew.