Do you know that, as an international student, to live in Hungary for more than 90 consecutive days, you would need to apply for a long-term student visa? Requirements to apply for a Hungary visa for Indians vary. Therefore it’s advised to enquire well in advance about the entry regulations that may apply to your home country.
Additionally, applicants must possess an offer letter from a Hungarian university to be eligible for a Hungarian student visa.
Table of Contents
Known for its high-quality education and welcoming culture, Hungary has become a favoured destination for higher studies among international students, especially Indian students. Hence, Indians need to apply for a Hungary student visa to enter the nation.
Unlike many other countries, citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the EU, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, as well as Switzerland, enjoy a simplified process. They do not need a study visa to enter Hungary. However, for non-EU / EEA residents, a student visa is a requirement to study in Hungary.
Meanwhile, there are 2 types of Hungary study visas for students coming from different nations. The duration to stay in the country could be 90 or more days, depending on the length of your study program. Let us learn more about different types of student visa Hungary!
Also Read: Everything You Must Know about the Student Visa Requirements
There are 2 types of Hungary student visas: Schengen and visa type D. Students planning for a short-term stay of less than 90 days must apply for a Schengen visa, while for a long-term stay of more than 90 days, one must check out the requirements for visa type D.
Since the majority of Indian students move to Hungary to pursue higher education , such as PG courses, we will be talking about only the D visa type throughout this blog.
Additionally, a type D visa allows students to stay inside the Hungarian border for up to 90 days. Beyond that, they need to apply for a residence permit to verify their purpose of visiting and staying in the country.
Hence, to verify, international students must submit a valid travel document such as a passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance, and any financial source to cover living costs in Hungary.
Further, a residence permit is a type of single grant that allows a foreign student to stay for up to 2 years only in the country. For longer stays, they can renew the permit to extend their stay in the nation until the completion of their course.
Lastly, to learn how to apply for a study visa for Hungary from India, check out the next section to follow a stepwise approach!
As discussed earlier, to stay extra longer for up to 2 years, students need to apply for a residence permit in Hungary. This permit must be applied within 30 days of arrival in the country. However, the initial requirement is to apply for a Hungary study visa. Hence, let’s understand the process:
1. Acceptance Offer from a Hungarian University.
2. Contact Your Nearest Hungary Embassy
3. Prepare the Application for the D Visa Type
4. Schedule Your Visa Appointment Date
5. Receive Your D-Type Visa and Passport
6. Travel to Hungary and Collect a Residence Permit
Also Read: A Complete Guide on How to Get Scholarship to Study Abroad
Below is the complete Hungary visa processing time agenda for applicants from different countries, with their specified months:
Let’s check out the eligibility criteria for a Hungarian student visa!
Students must meet the following criteria to apply for a study visa for Hungary from India. Failure to meet the required conditions could even result in visa application rejection.
Here’s a detailed list of required documents for a Hungary student visa and a residence permit to enter the country without any trouble:
| 1. Valid Foreign Passport | 2. Visa Application Form |
| 3. Passport Size Photographs | 4. International Health Insurance |
| 5. Letter of Acceptance | 6. Accommodation Provision |
| 7. Financial Proof(s) | 8. Motivational Letter |
| 9. English Language Proficiency Certificate | 10. Receipt of University Tuition Fee |
| 11. Updated Curriculum Vitae | 12. Academic Documents |
1. Valid Foreign Passport:The student’s passport must contain at least 2 free pages to get a visa stamp. Further, it must be issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least 3 months after departing from Hungary.
2. Visa Application Form: Carefully fill out the application form with precise information. Mention your period of stay in the country when applying for a D visa type. Complete the form and duly sign it.
3. Passport Size Photos: As a non-EU citizen, the Hungarian immigration department is required to submit 2 coloured photos of dimensions 35*45 mm. They must be clicked on a white background within the last 6 months. One photo must be attached to the submitted documents, while the other should be glued to the visa application form.
4. Health Insurance: Hungarian universities often offer medical insurance to international students, and this must be mentioned in the letter of invitation. Hence, along with your visa application, make sure to attach a 30-day travel insurance policy that covers EUR 30,000 for medical expenses.
5. Letter of Acceptance: Your offer letter from a Hungarian institution must include the course name, duration of your course, program starting date, and tuition fees. Also, the letter must have the signature of any university official.
6. Accommodation Provision: If the university has offered the student accommodation, then it must be mentioned in your offer letter. Or, if the student got a rented apartment, house, etc., then an agreement with the property owner must be issued.
7. Financial Proofs: Depending on the individual’s case, students have to include a letter of sponsorship about cost coverage during their stay in Hungary with a notarized copy or bank statement. Students who already got a scholarship do not need to show the bank statement.
8. Motivational Letter: To study in Hungary for Indian students, their letter of motivation must be signed and highlight these:
9. English Proficiency Certificate: For a Hungary visa interview, an applicant should attach an English proficiency test result, such as IELTS, PTE, etc. Or, if their course of conduct in previous school/university was in English, then a certificate issued by the education provider could also be attached while applying for a Hungary visa for Indians.
10. Receipt of University Tuition Fee: Attach documented proof of your paid university tuition fees to your visa application. This may be a bank deposit slip or ATM transfer slip.
11. Updated CV: CV is a compulsory document for university admission as well as visa interview. Hence, it should highlight all your academic, professional, and contact information.
12. Academic Documents: Include all your academic certificate and transcript records if applying for any of these programs: UG, PG, or PhD. Mention your course summary for previously studied programs with at least 2 LOR(s) from the university. Lastly, make sure to add details about the referees.
IMPORTANT:
Also Read: Things to Consider in Process of Choosing Accommodation Options
Here’s how the photo specification for a Hungary study visa appears:
Meanwhile, the picture you submit for your Hungary student visa must be according to the Schengen Visa photo requirements:
With the guidelines in mind, you can easily click your photograph as per Hungary study visa standards. After attaching all the papers along with your visa application, it’s time to make the payment. So, for the visa cost and its processing time details, scroll down and get insights from the following section!
Finally, you made your way and reached the final path, which is to complete the required payment for your Hungary study visa. Meanwhile, the visa fees are divided into - the biometric service charges, processing charges (if any), and so on. Moreover, it can also vary based on the currency rates. So, make sure to check out these small details before beginning any step.
Here’s a chart of the Hungary visa for Indians complete cost:
| HUNGARY STUDENT VISA | TOTAL VISA FEE |
|---|---|
| Student Visa | EUR 110 (INR 10,020) |
| Service Charge For Biometrics (D Visa Type) | INR 1640 (Charged by Visa Consulate) |
Finally, after successfully submitting the student visa application, wait until the final decision on your Hungary visa. The time taken by the immigration department for the processing of visas depends on various aspects, including the volume of visa applications, travel history, etc.
Hence, in normal conditions, it generally takes around 15 working days to process a visa application. In some circumstances, the Hungary student visa processing time may take up to 30 - 60 working days. However, that’s not the always scenario. To get the fastest results, it’s advised to apply at least 15 days before your intended travel date.
Here’s a brief comparison of four years for the rejection and Hungary visa success rate for Indian students. Have a look at the table below!
| YEAR | HUNGARY STUDENT VISA SUCCESS RATE | HUNGARY STUDENT VISA REJECTION RATE |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 90.9% | 9.1% |
| 2021 | 86.6% | 13.4% |
| 2022 | 87.9% | 12.1% |
| 2023 | 87.4% | 12.6% |
The table clearly shows that Indian students faced minimal refusal for their study visas in the past four years. Hence, it illustrates that the Hungary student visa ratio is high in terms of acceptance rate.
Additionally, it is mandatory to have health care insurance during the entire duration of studies in Hungary. Hence, non-EU students are advised to apply for international medical insurance before arriving in the country.
Also, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is in charge of funding the healthcare system in Hungary. Hence, it provides the following medical covers:
Hence, these are the privileges of getting a Hungary visa for Indians who are looking to study in the country without thinking of what a Health Insurance will cover. Besides, let’s talk about the rights reserved for Schengen visa and residence permit holders via the next section!
Since 21 December 2007, Hungary has been mentioned in the Schengen area. Hence, the same legislation rules apply to the nation. As per regulations, the Schengen visa only allows residence permits for a stay not exceeding 90 days. Breaching rules could laid down in the National law of the concerned members. Hence, the rules are:
Rights of Entry and Residence Allowed When Not Exceeding 90 Days
Citizens of EEA (EU + Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland enter Hungary with a valid travel document. They can stay in the country without exceeding 90 days from the date of entry.
Right of Residence for Period Exceeding 3 Months
EEA students can stay in the course for more than 3 months if they are enrolled at a Hungarian institution.
Non-EU & EEA Citizens or Third Country Nationals
Meanwhile, for citizens of non-EU countries, the Immigration Department of Hungary issues a new biometric document, a work permit, the EU Blue Card, and a residence permit, which allows highly skilled Third Country citizens to work and live anywhere in the EU.
After arriving in the nation, there are certain Hungarian laws that every student must follow. Check out the upcoming section
In conclusion, Hungary can be an appealing choice for international students because of its high Hungary student visa success rate, numerous course options, etc. However, there are certain strict rules and regulations to enter Schengen countries, such as having international health insurance, a valid photograph as per Schengen requirements, and more. Meanwhile, every piece of information is covered by us in this blog. If you still face any queries regarding the visa process, fees, or anything else, just head straight to Gradding.com and book a call with our experts.
As per the Times of India, the Hungary student visa rejection rate has been recorded at just 12.6%, while the success rate for Indian students was extremely high.
Depending on the individual case, an official bank statement of last 3-6 months is required for a Hungary student visa. Also, it must demonstrates up to a $10,000 balance in your account which is proof that you can support yourself financially during your stay.
The Hungary visa processing time for international students can take up to 30 days to reach a final decision. However, in certain circumstances, it may take up to 60 days. So, it’s important to apply at least 3 month prior to your intended travel date.
We are available in :
BangaloreAhmedabadJaipurHyderabadKeralaPuneChandigarhMumbaiGurgaonChennaiKolkataTrivandrumNoidaKochiCalicutKottayamKollamThrissurIndoreUdaipurdisclaimer:logos and other registered trademarks of universities used on this platform are held by their respective owners. Gradding does not claim ownership or association on them, and their use is purely for informational and illustrative purposes.
