Are you considering submitting a Schengen visa application Hungary in advance as you prepare for a trip to the Center European country? Would you like to visit several Schengen countries on a single visa? Then you are in the right place, as this page contains vital information about the visa application process. Keep reading to learn more.
Hungary In Europe
Hungary has a rich and detailed history dating back several centuries. The country is landlocked with no access to the sea and covers a land area of 93,030 km2. Hungary is a medium-sized European Union country with one of the largest population densities per land area with close to 10 million inhabitants. The official language is Hungarian which is a branch of the Uralic language. For centuries, the land was inhabited by several tribes and civilizations; the most notable ones were the Celts, Avars, Slavs from the West, and the Huns who migrated from Asia.
At the height of Hungarian power was when during the reign of the Hapsburg Dynasty when Austria and Hungary were one country called the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
After the countries split, Hungary emerged as an independent nation-state. The country is known for its thermal waters found in most parts of the land, and they attract locals and international visitors looking for warm water springs. This natural resource has made Hungary the number one medical tourist destination in Europe.
The country is a member of the European Economic Area, The European Union, and the Schengen Area, which was joined in 2007. By becoming a Schengen state, Hungary adopted an open border policy similar to other Schengen states and began to issue Schengen visas. Most of the visitors arrive with Schengen visas.
Who Needs A Schengen Visa To Enter Hungary?
Schengen visas are required from citizens who are not from countries on the visa-free list of the EU.
There are currently more than 60 countries on the list; if your country is not on the list and you are not from a fellow Schengen country, you need a visa to enter and stay in Hungary.
Hungary Schengen Visa Conditions
The Schengen visa allows the holder to visit and stay in Hungary for up to 90 days and is valid for 180 days. This short-visit visa becomes active the moment it is issued by the embassy and can no longer use once the validity date passes. The visa can be used for tourism, business meetings, sporting and cultural events, medical treatment and tourism, short course study, or simply visiting family and friends.
Anyone who wishes to visit other Schengen countries as well but applies for this visa must make Hungary their primary destination. This means they must enter Hungary before traveling to other countries in the Schengen Area. Those who travel to other countries first may encounter issues with the immigration authorities.
Furthermore, applicants are advised to ensure they do not stay more than the 90 days allowed. Whether you visit one or more Schengen countries, the length of stay is calculated from the day you step foot in the country.
How Many Countries Can I Visit With A Schengen Visa?
You can visit all 26 Schengen countries, including Hungary, with this visa, including Snap Marino, Andorra, The Vatican, and Monaco. You can also visit Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus.
Schengen Visa Application Hungary Requirements
Completed application form
Valid passport
Two recent photographs
Proof of financial means
Previous visas
Proof of accommodation
Cover letter
Travel medical insurance
Visa fee
Note that only a passport with a minimum of three months validity beyond the day you depart will be accepted. The passport must also have at least two pages of immigration stamps at the border or airport, and Passports older than ten years are not accepted.
Processing Time
Once you submit your visa application form and documents to the embassy, you may have to wait 15 days to get them. During peak periods when the embassy is getting quite a lot of applications, the waiting period may last up to one month or more. Unless your trip is urgent, we advise you to submit your application at least two months in advance.
Single Entry & Multi Entry Visa
Most Schengen visas are multi-entry visas that allow visitors to sit several times before it expires. But there is also the single-entry version that can only be used once, after which it expires even if there are valid days left. If you intend to visit numerous countries, a multiple entry Hungarian Schengen visa is the best.
The Schengen visa application Hungary fee is €40 for 6-11-year-olds and €80 for 12- 80 years olds, and it is non-refundable. This fee must be paid before the processing can be done.
Applicants outside this age bracket are visa exempt.