Resident Visas for Americans in Budapest

If you are not an EU or EEA citizen and would like to move to Budapest, you will need a Residence Permit. It takes some paperwork to apply for and eventually get the residence permit. This article will explain everything you need to know.

Americans can apply in Hungary directly at the Bevándorlási és Menekültügyi Hivatal, also known as Office of Immigration and Asylum, upon your arrival to the country. Of course, it is necessary to appear in person because your photo and fingerprints will be taken on the spot.

There is a small application fee for the residence permit, and all prices are payable by card only after applying. In case of a visa refusal, the visa processing fee, unfortunately, cannot be refunded.

After your application is approved, you will collect the residence permit in Budapest. You will be granted a "type D" visa in your passport, which you can use to enter Hungary or the Schengen area in general.

The basic requirements for a type D Visa are a fully completed residence permit application form signed by the applicant in either the Hungarian or English version. Those are the only acceptable versions. Next, you will need your passport, which must be issued within the last ten years, valid for at least three months after returning from Hungary, and containing two empty pages. You will also need two passport-size coloured photos no older than six months.

The essential document is your Green Card or valid US resident visa of the following types: A, E, F, G, H, I, J, L, O, R. Less necessary, but still essential documents you shall need are aeroplane ticket reservation, records of health insurance, supporting documents for accommodation, and confirmation of financial resources (the last three months of bank statements).

Also, the consul may request the presentation of some additional documents in cases of residence permit for employment, to pursue an income-generating activity, for educational purposes, for family reunification or for visiting a relative/friend, permit for research or permits for some other purposes like for example the purpose of medical treatment, official purposes or seasonal workers.

All the additional documents needed for such purposes are available on the official Embassy of Hungary Washington website. Of course, all documents to be presented in connection with the visa application must be valid. The detection of false data will lead to the refusal of the visa application.