Studying abroad offers plenty of life opportunities and learning experiences. However, preparing for it can be pretty challenging, too. From choosing a destination to university to preparing your application, you must exert effort and dig deep through your resources. Most countries require visas, too, before foreigners can enter and stay for a long time.
Hungary is among the top destinations for international students due to its world-class higher education and low cost of living compared to other European nations. If you’re from one of these countries, you might not need a visa to enter the country. Instead, you must apply for a single-entry permanent residence permit if you intend to stay more than 90 days.
Ideally, you can confirm with the Hungarian embassy if such a case applies. Otherwise, ensure you know how to get a student visa in Hungary. Below are the steps to the application after considering your documentary and financial requirements.
Steps on Applying for a Hungarian Student Visa
Step 1. Apply and Accept an Offer from a Hungarian University
Before applying for a Hungary student visa, ensure you have already been accepted to an institution in the country. Check the university website you intend to apply to for the application requirements and submission schedule. Prepare those as soon as possible so you can submit them when the application period opens.
Ideally, your application should exceed the university’s minimum standard to have a better chance of being accepted. Once you confirm your admission, you might need to pay a deposit fee and sign the acceptance offer. After that, your chosen school will provide the “Confirmation of Acceptance Letter” that you will use to apply for a visa.
Step 2. Contact the Embassy
Contact the Hungarian embassy in your country to confirm the student visa requirements. Although the general list of requirements is listed here, the consul might still ask you for additional documents, so it’s best to confirm those ahead of time. You can check the embassy and consulate information here.
Moreover, checking the embassy website for its visa services or calling to ask for more information about your requirements can save you a lot of time and effort. More importantly, there might be some regulations you need to know before you visit the embassy. For example, the Hungarian embassy in Washington, USA, requires all applicants to set an appointment first, as they do not accept walk-in applications.
Step 3. Prepare Your Application Documents
Make sure to complete your visa application form wholly and legibly. You can download the form here, and ensure you get the form that matches your stay duration. Moreover, verify all information included in your application documents and make sure that all documents are original copies. The consul can reject a visa application due to false information or data.
Step 4. Go To Your Embassy Appointment
You can set an appointment here once you’re ready to submit your Hungary student visa application at the embassy. On your appointment date, bring all your application documents and follow the security protocols in the embassy. During your visit, you will need to provide your biometric data, such as photos and fingerprints.
As you will also apply for a residence permit, you must submit your application to the consulate officer. Sometimes, the consul might require other supporting documents for visa application. Finally, you’ll need to pay the application fee during your visit to the embassy.
Step 5. Receive Your Passport with Type D Visa
Application for a long-term study visa and resident permit can take up to 30 days. You will need the D single-entry visa, so you can enter Hungary. Once the consul receives the decision, they will notify you to pick up your passport. However, this visa is only valid for 30 days, so you’ll need to get your residence permit as soon as you arrive in the country. If you can’t get your passport in person, you can confirm with the embassy whether you can receive it by post.
Documents Needed for a Hungarian Student Visa
To apply for a student visa, here are the documents you will need:
| HUNGARIAN STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS |
| Accomplished application form for the residence permit |
| Passport with two free pages and at least three months validity after the date of leaving Hungary, and must be issued within the last 10 years |
| Two colored photos (size 3.5 by 4.5) taken within the last six months |
| Proof of medical insurance |
| Letter of acceptance from a university in Hungary |
| Study details with the start date of classes and payment information (for fee-paying students) |
| Accommodation agreement and property document issued within the last one month (if you’re staying in non-university lodging) |
| Proof of financial means or, if applicable, proof of scholarship |
| A photocopy of your valid passport, ID card, medical insurance, flight ticket, and marriage certificate (if traveling with a spouse) |
FAQs: Student Visa Applications for Hungary
How Much Money Do You Need for a Hungarian Student Visa?
While the Hungary student visa processing fee is $70, there are other expenses that you need to prepare to get your student visa. You’ll need at least $830 per month for your stay as proof of sufficient financial means. Besides that, you’ll also have to prepare for your tuition costs. These expenses may vary in public and private universities and across programs.
In public universities, tuition costs around US$2,300 to 9,500 per year. You can expect to pay more if you’re choosing a private university. Moreover, your living costs depend on your spending habits and the type of accommodation you choose. Typically, a dormitory at the university costs around $120 to $240 per month. If you rent a flat, you can prepare around $275 to $750 per month.
It’s important to know why getting a student visa is required, especially if you want to get a degree at Hungarian universities. The requirements may take time, but it’s better to prepare them before you depart for Hungary once you get an acceptance letter from your chosen school. Hopefully, the information can help you process the visa step-by-step flawlessly, and good luck on your educational journey!
We hope this article on how to get a student visa in Hungary was helpful! If you are interested in studying in the country and in Europe, make sure to check out the Hungary Page and the Available Programs in Europe for International Students.
