Hungary visa for Indian citizens

For Indians admitted to full-time studies at a state-recognised Hungarian higher education institution (or its preparatory course). Applicants in the New Delhi jurisdiction request an appointment by e-mail (appointment.del@mfa.gov.hu) and lodge the application at VFS New Delhi, with a consular interview the next working day; Mumbai-jurisdiction students book with the Consulate General (appointments.mum@mfa.gov.hu).

• Certificate of admission (or student status) from a state-recognised higher education institution for full-time studies, or admission to a preparatory course organised by the institution
• Language knowledge required for the studies (language certificate, diploma from studies in that language, or other credible proof)
• Proof of payment of tuition fees
• Proof of means of subsistence: bank statement in the applicant's name, a notarised family support declaration with proof of the supporter's ability, a document on regular income, or a scholarship certificate
• Comprehensive health insurance, or proof that healthcare costs can be covered
• A real Hungarian accommodation address declared on the form; valid passport and a ticket or funds for the return journey
• Biometrics given in person; the residence permit is valid for at least 1 year (or the course length) and at most 3 years
• Students may work up to 30 hours a week during the study period and full-time for up to 90 days a year outside it

Residence permit for highly qualified jobs, listed by the Embassy as a ground for a D-visa application; the Hungarian employer may also file the application on the Enter Hungary platform with the employee's written consent.

• Employment contract or preliminary agreement for fixed-term employment of at least 6 months in a job requiring a high level of qualification
• Tertiary-level qualification required for the job; for executives and ICT specialists, at least 3 years of relevant experience within the 7 years before applying
• Minimum monthly remuneration in 2026: HUF 1,001,048 (HUF 800,838 for listed health professions such as general practitioners, pharmacists, physiotherapists and nurses)
• Hungarian accommodation address, health insurance, and a valid passport plus a ticket or funds for the return journey

Currently closed to Indian nationals: since 1 January 2025, Government Decree 450/2024 allows these permits only for nationals of listed countries, India is not among them, and the Embassy in New Delhi is not issuing appointments for employment D-visa applications for an indefinite period.

• Nationality of a country in Annex 1 of Government Decree 450/2024 (Georgia, Armenia, Philippines), or of a country with an officially recognised office in Hungary that guarantees its nationals' return – India is not listed
• Exceptions: holders of a valid employment residence permit on 31 December 2024 and applications already pending on that date
• The restriction does not affect residence permits for employment linked to an investment or for seasonal employment

Under Commission Implementing Decision C(2024) 2434 of 18 April 2024, addressed to Hungary and the other Schengen states, Indian nationals living in India who have lawfully used previous visas qualify for a two-year multiple-entry visa; each stay is still limited to 90 days in any 180-day period.

• Indian national residing in India, applying at a Schengen consulate in India
• Meets the Schengen entry conditions (valid travel document, justified purpose and sufficient means, no SIS entry ban, no threat to public policy or security)
• Has obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years: multiple-entry visa valid for two years
• If the passport expires sooner, the visa ends three months before the passport's expiry
• Consulates may shorten the validity in individual cases and may still issue multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years in justified cases

For third-country nationals whose investment in Hungary is in the national economic interest. Indians, who need a visa to enter Hungary, first apply abroad for a guest investor visa (valid up to 6 months) and then for the residence permit in Hungary.

• Acquire an investment fund share of at least EUR 250,000 issued by a real estate fund registered by the Hungarian National Bank, or
• Donate at least EUR 1,000,000 to a higher education institution maintained by a public trust with a public-service mission, for education, scientific research or artistic creation
• Guest investor visa application: certificate of the investment or donation, or a declaration of which investment you will make during the visa's validity
• The real estate fund investment must be held for at least 5 years
• Residence permit valid for up to 10 years and extendable for up to another 10 years

There is no general job-seeker visa for applicants abroad: this permit is only for holders of a Hungarian study or research residence permit who have completed their studies or research.

• Hold a valid residence permit for studies (and have successfully completed the studies) or for research (and have completed the research)
• The job sought or business planned must match the level of the completed studies or research
• Valid for a maximum of 9 months; cannot be extended
• During its validity you may apply in Hungary for a Hungarian Card, an EU Blue Card or a residence permit for guest self-employment

A residence permit for third-country nationals working in Hungary under an employment contract (or as an owner/managing director who also works) who hold a professional qualification listed by ministerial decree, or are professional athletes or coaches, performers or film-industry workers. Neither the Embassy nor OIF states whether the Embassy's suspension of employment D-visa appointments for Indians extends to Hungarian Card applications.

• Actual work for remuneration under an employment contract, or as an owner or managing director who performs actual work; or a highly qualified worker employed under an agreement between a foreign and a Hungarian employer
• And one of: a professional qualification specified in the decree of the minister responsible for higher education; professional sportsperson or coach; performer; work for a registered filmmaker or film production company
• Valid for up to 3 years and extendable by 3 years

For managers, specialists and trainee employees posted to a Hungarian entity by their company established outside the EU, and for holders of another EU state's ICT permit moving to Hungary (long-term mobility).

• Reside outside the EU when applying and be transferred by a company established outside the EU under a work contract, or hold an ICT residence permit issued by another EU Member State (long-term mobility)
• Not available to private entrepreneurs, workers supplied by employment or temporary work agencies, or full-time students
• Valid up to 3 years for managers and specialists, up to 1 year for trainees (no extension beyond those totals)

For third-country nationals who will work independently for remuneration (self-employed) or act as chief executive of a business organisation in Hungary; Indians apply at the Hungarian mission in India.

• Self-employed activity performed independently for remuneration, or acting as chief executive of a company or other legal entity established for gainful activity
• Registered self-employed: annual self-employment income above 24 times the current minimum wage (tax authority certificate)
• Chief executive: the company has employed at least five Hungarian or EEA nationals full-time for six consecutive months, or your presence is essential and the business is likely to generate sufficient income
• Valid up to 1 year, extendable to a maximum of 3 years from first issue

For researchers carrying out a project in Hungary under a hosting agreement with an accredited research organisation; researchers already holding another EU state's research permit can use long-term mobility for stays over 180 days.

• Hosting agreement with a research organisation accredited under Hungarian law
• Written commitment by the research organisation to reimburse expulsion costs if the researcher overstays without means
• Research permit valid for at least 1 year (or the hosting agreement's length if shorter) and at most 2 years, extendable
• Long-term mobility: holder of an EU Member State research permit doing part of the research in Hungary for more than 180 days; permit valid up to 365 days

Traineeship permits cover trainee placements with an approved host organisation; training permits cover scholarship-based training courses provided by the Hungarian Government or a Ministry. Indians apply at the Hungarian mission.

• Traineeship: traineeship contract with an approved trainee-hosting organisation and the host's written commitment to cover expulsion costs if needed
• Traineeship: a higher education degree relevant to the traineeship obtained within the two years before applying, or current studies leading to such a degree, and the language skills needed
• Traineeship permit valid for the traineeship's length but no more than 6 months, and cannot be extended
• Training: participation in a scholarship-based training course provided by the Government or a Ministry; not available to those who qualify for a study permit; cannot be extended for the same purpose

For family members joining a sponsor who holds a Hungarian residence permit or long-term status, or a Hungarian citizen. D-visa applications from India are lodged by appointment as for other D visas.

• Family members: spouse or registered partner, minor children (including adopted and foster) of the sponsor and spouse; dependent parents of the sponsor or spouse; siblings and ascendants unable to support themselves for health reasons
• Sponsor holds a residence permit, a permanent-type permit or card, or is a Hungarian citizen
• Means of subsistence, accommodation in Hungary, health insurance and return-travel means (see documents)
• Permit valid up to 3 years (extendable by up to 3); up to 4 years if the sponsor holds an EU Blue Card or Corporate Card; up to 5 years if the sponsor is a Hungarian citizen or holds EC permanent residence or an EU residence card

For third-country nationals who live in Hungary while working remotely for a foreign employer or their own foreign business; no gainful activity in Hungary is allowed.

• Verified employment with an employer outside Hungary, or a share in a company with verified profit outside Hungary, with the work done or company managed from Hungary using digital technology
• Net monthly income of at least EUR 3,000 for at least 6 months before entry, maintained throughout the stay
• No gainful activity in Hungary and no share in a Hungarian company
• Valid up to 1 year, extendable once by another year; no other residence permit can be applied for during or after it

Hungary's national permanent-residence document, valid for up to 10 years and renewable, for third-country nationals with long, uninterrupted legal residence or family ties.

• Legal and uninterrupted residence in Hungary for at least 3 years before applying, or marriage of at least 2 years to a Hungarian citizen or long-term resident, or other family/ancestry grounds
• Cannot be granted to holders of residence permits for employment, guest workers, seasonal employment, study (including job-seeking), training, traineeship, guest self-employment, White Card, medical treatment, posted work or voluntary service
• Housing and subsistence guaranteed, comprehensive health insurance; long-term residence must be in Hungary's interest