Your admission to the university was successful. After the party 😊 you have to be aware to start collecting all the certificates you need for the student visa (if you are a non-EEA student) or registration card (if you are an EEA student and you plan to stay for a longer period than 90 days).

 

Which category does my country belong to? 

You are an EEA citizen if your country belongs to the following countries: EU member state, UK, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Lichtenstein.   

Your country is a non-EEA country if it doesn't belong to the countries listed above.

You can check here the countries which do not need a visa for Hungary: https://konzuliszolgalat.kormany.hu/visa-waiver-agreements

Below you can check the list of the countries of EU and Schengen Area, and countries, which are using euro: https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries_en

The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have abolished passport and immigration controls at their common borders. It functions as a single country for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy.

Hungary belongs to the Schengen Area and is an EEA country. Different requirements apply to EEA and non-EEA countries. The EEA citizens can apply in Hungary for registration card, if they plan to stay at a time longer than 90 days. The non-EEA citizens have to apply for residence permit withing 30 days after crossing the border.

To the third country nationals belong all to the non-EEA countries and the stateless citizens.

What do I need: visa, residence permit or registration card? 

If you are an EEA citizen, you need registration card, if you plan to stay at a time longer than 90 days.

You need to upload the following documents:

1. Fill out correctly and sign the Data sheet for the issuance of registration certificate and for the registration of residence:
2.  Valid passport or ID card  http://www.bmbah.hu/jomla/images/formanyomtatvanyokEN/registration_card_for_EEA_Nationals.pdf
3. Certificate of student status provided by the university, or certificate of school attendance
4. Certificate of accommodation: If the accommodation is provided by the university, it is necessary to note it in the letter of acceptance; Other certificates of accommodation: dormitory certificate and a copy of it (stamped and signed by the management), proof of student hostel and a copy of it (stamped and signed by the management), lease contract and a copy of it (it should contain: student's and landlords personal data, the exact address of the flat and the period of stay (definite/indefinite time), and in certain cases it is asked to be added the property document issued within 1 month before the visa application.
5. Certificate of the financial condition, confirmed by the following:
6. Scholarship certificate from the university (if it is the case) or student's bank account statement (notarized translation to English) or a bank account statement of the student's parents that they support the student financially (notarized translation to English of it, birth certificate's notarized translation)
7. Declaration about the date of crossing the Hungarian border:                                                           Undersigned (the students name) ….........................................., date and place of birth: …..........................................................., mother's maiden name: …....................................................., passport or ID number: …..........................................................., citizenship: …......................................................................,       I declare that on date: ….........................................................................                                                                                                             I crossed the border of Hungary. Place and date of the signature: Budapest, …......................................                                                                                                                                    Signature: …........................................
8. Procedure fee is 1.000 HUF.  The payment can be issued electronically or through cheque, supplied by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (in the comment: the payer's/client's name, date of birth, case type: registration certificate shall be indicated)
9. You need to visit the National  Directorate-General for Aliens Policing only once and hand in all the documents mentioned above. You will receive your registration card on the spot, but the address card will be provided in an official letter by post on the address that you declared on the registration form within 2 weeks after your visit at the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing. You can find here details related to National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing:   http://www.bmbah.hu/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=395:appointment-booking&lang=en

If you are a non-EEA citizen and your country is under visa obligation according to the Schengen acquis, you need to apply for visa (D type) in your own country or where you have your residence. This visa allows you to enter Hungary and stay for 30 days. Within this 30 days you need to visit the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing to register your accomodation and to receive your residence permit. With applying the D-type visa you also start the application for residence permit too. Find the Hungarian consulate's location and contact details in your country or in the country where you have your residence:

https://www.kormany.hu/en/ministry-of-foreign-affairs-and-trade/missions

You can apply for consular services by sending a message to the consulate's email address or by calling them and asking for an appointment or you can use the online booking system (check the consulate's webpage, in which way can you book an appointment). When applying, you must write your details and passport number. Book an appointment at least two month before you need to start your studies. List of the required documents for Longterm Schengen visa (type D), application with purpose of education and residence permit:

http://www.bmbah.hu/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=70&lang=en

1.  Passport                                                                                                                                                                                          The passport must be valid at least three months after the date of leaving Schengen area;                    The passport has to be issued during the last 10 years;                                                                                         The passport must have minimum 2 free pages;
2. Visa and residence permit Application Form                                                                                                             Both Application Forms have to be signed and filled correctly, with precise indication of the period of stay. Visa and residence permit Application forms:     http://www.bmbah.hu/images/Formanyomtatvany_OIF_angol/tanulmanyi_celu_study/Application_for_residence_Permit.pdf   http://www.bmbah.hu/images/Formanyomtatvany_OIF_angol/tanulmanyi_celu_study/14_Studies_or_student_mobility_APNDX_14.pdf
3.  Photos:                                                                                                                                                                                                  2 color photos (size 3,5 x 4,5: passport photos) on a white  background taken within the last 6 months. 1 photo must be glued onto the application and the other one added to the documents;   If you apply for residence permit in Hungary you need to take with you one photo, and the other one will be taken at the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing). You can find details related to National Directorate-General for Aliens Policings here:                                                                                                        http://www.bmbah.hu/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=395:appointment-booking&lang=en                                                                                                                                                                  You can apply for residence permit online too. See here a detailed description about the system:      http://www.bmbah.hu/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=1311&Itemid=1848&lang=en                                              You need to visit the National  Directorate-General for Aliens Policing only once to provide your fingerprint and a photo taken at the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing of you.
4. Health insurance (for the visa):                                                                                                                                                 If the student’s medical insurance is covered by the university, then it should be noted in the letter of acceptance, or bank account statement, which proves, that the student can pay insurance for one year insurance, or any valid insurance in Hungary. Additionally, a 30 days travel insurance (insurance should be valid from the date of entering to the territory of  any member state of the Schengen area) must be included in the documents.
5. Following document is required for the visa with purpose of education and for residence permit too:                                                                                                                                                                                                 Letter of acceptance from the university or certificate of school attendance: the starting date of the student's university studies, tuition fee (if it’s a paid education) and others (eg. medical insurance) should be noted.
6. Following information is required about the acommodation in Hungary (for the visa and residence permit):                                                                                                                                                                                                  If the accommodation is provided by the university, it is necessary to note it in the letter of acceptance;                                                                                                                                                                                   Other certificates of accommodation: dormitory certificate (stamped and signed by the management) and a copy of it, proof of student hostel and a copy of it (stamped and signed by the management), lease contract and the copy of it (it should contain: student's and landlords personal data, the exact address of the flat and the period of stay (definite/indefinite time), and in certain cases it is asked to add the property document issued within 1 month before the visa application.
7. Certificate of the financial conditions, confirmed by the following:                                                          Scholarship certificate from the university (if it is the case) or student's bank account statement (notarized translation to English) or a bank account statement of the student's parents that they support the student financially (notarized translation to English of it, birth certificate's notarized translation)
8. A language certificate in proof of language proficiency examination (for the visa):                                   an official diploma in proof of studies in a foreign language                                                                       other reliable means                                                                                                                                                            you can have a short conversation in English with the consul too, to prove your language skills
9. Documents evidencing the condition of exit:                                                                                                                       a valid passport or the permits necessary for the third-country national for returning to his/her country of origin, or to the country he/she indicates;                                                                                         and a valid ticket for departure, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket, or a means of transport lawfully used by the third-country national.
10. Statement:                                                                                                                                                                                    with the application the third-country national is required to provide a statement undertaking the commitment of voluntary departure from the territory of the Member States of the European Union in case the application is refused.
11. Documents verifying the purpose of asking for the visa and residence permit:                               Acceptance letter from the university                                                                                                                 Payment of the education fee
12. Procedural fee:                                                                                                                                                                                  If the application is submitted at a diplomatic or consular mission, the administrative service fee charged for the procedure for issuing a residence permit is 60 EUR, payable at that diplomatic or consular mission primarily in EUR or other convertible currency, or in exceptional cases in the legal tender of the State where the application is submitted. The administrative service fee charged for the procedure is 18.000 HUF if submitted in Hungary                                                                                        Here you can see a detailed description, where and how to upload all the documents for residence permit:                                                                                                                     https://enterhungary.gov.hu/eh/assets/en-enter-hungary.pdf                                                                           In case of refusal, the decision may be appealed within 8 days of delivery, submitted with the authority of the first instance, or at the Hungarian diplomatic or consular mission where the application was submitted. The administrative service fee for the appeal is 20 EUR if submitted at a diplomatic or consular mission, payable primarily in EUR or 5.500 HUF.

IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO WASTE A LOT OF TIME AT THE NATIONAL DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR ALIENS POLICING (days in row due to document rectification) DO NOT HESITATE TO FILL OUT OUR LEGAL APPLICATION FORM: Legal service application form AND MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER.

Great checklist before I leave my home country 

1. Read carefully all the info from the Student Navigator webpage applicable to you.
2. Request for a visa, if it's needed.
3. Buy a health insurance (if the university is not providing it) and travel insurance valid for 30 days.
4. Search for an accommodation. Our partner is providing video-renting services too. So you can arrive in Hungary with your flat already rented. (2.Renting link beillesztés)
5. Register to be a member of the Student Navigator. (3.registration link beillesztés)
6. If you take regularly any medication, secure yourself with the right amount of medicine ( you can bring with you max. 1 or 3 monthly dose, depending ont he validity period of your passport/ID,visa)
7. Read the academic regulation of your university.
8. Check our Services

 

I have arrived. Can I stay in Hungary as long as I want? 

No. Be aware, that if you entered Hungary with a D-type visa, within 30 days you have to report  your address and receive the residence permit. (check our previose article about it) If you are an EEA citizen and you want to stay longer than 90 days in a time, you have to apply for a registration card. The residence permit will be valid for a maximum of 2 years long period. Than you have to extend it. For the extension of your residence permit you have to visit the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing 30 days prior the expiration date or upload the documents through Enter Hungary system 45 days prior the expiration date.