🇭🇺Hungary Visa for Chinese Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

EU Blue Card (Kék Kártya)

Residence permit for highly qualified third-country nationals employed in Hungary in a job requiring tertiary education or equivalent professional experience.

Valid up to 4 years, renewable. Minimum salary threshold: HUF 1,001,048/month (2026). Healthcare roles: HUF 800,838/month (2026). Employment restricted to sponsoring employer during first year. Must be applied for via Enter Hungary platform or Hungarian consulate. Grants access to EU-wide long-term mobility after 18 months.

Residence Permit for Intra-Corporate Transfer

Allows third-country nationals employed by a multinational group to be temporarily posted to a Hungarian entity within the same group for employment or training.

Executive/specialist permits valid up to 3 years. Trainee permits valid up to 1 year. Requires proof of at least 3 months continuous employment at the sending company. Not available to private entrepreneurs, agency workers, full-time students, or researchers. Long-term mobility (for ICT permit holders from other EU states) must be applied for 20 days before posting starts.

Residence Permit for Posted Work

Allows third-country nationals holding an EU employment residence permit to work in Hungary on a temporary posting from their EU-based employer.

Valid for up to 2 years, aligned with posting duration. Requires a valid EU employment residence permit from another Member State. Cannot exceed the original EU permit's validity. Does not lead to permanent residence. Extendable via Enter Hungary platform only.

Residence Permit for Seasonal Employment

Covers third-country nationals employed in plant production, forest management, animal breeding, or fishery sectors in Hungary on a seasonal basis.

Initial permit up to 6 months; extendable for up to 6 months within a 12-month period. Expedited 15-day processing for applicants with prior lawful stay in Hungary within last 5 years. Workers may only work for the designated employer listed on the permit. Employment termination invalidates permit after 6 days notice.

Hungarian Card (Magyar Kártya)

Work and residence permit for third-country nationals employed by a Hungarian employer, covering general employment not requiring the EU Blue Card level of qualification.

Standard employment-based residence permit; distinct from the EU Blue Card. Valid up to 3 years, extendable for a further 3 years. Covers employees, business owners performing actual work, professional athletes/coaches, performers, and film-industry workers. Standard examination 21 days; final decision within 70 days. Applied for via the Enter Hungary platform or a Hungarian consulate.

White Card - Residency for Digital Nomads

Allows third-country nationals working remotely for a foreign employer or managing their own foreign company to reside in Hungary for up to 2 years.

Initial validity up to 1 year, extendable once for another year (maximum 2 years total). Requires minimum net monthly income of EUR 3,000 for at least 6 months prior to application. Applicant must not work for any Hungarian employer or hold shares in Hungarian companies. Family reunification not permitted (except children born during the permit's validity). Cannot transition to other permit types or obtain permanent residence. Must be applied for via Enter Hungary platform or at the NDGAP directorate.

Guest Investor Visa

Entry visa for third-country nationals committing to a qualifying investment in Hungary before applying for the Guest Investor Residence Permit.

Valid up to 6 months; becomes void upon issuance of Guest Investor Residence Permit. Two qualifying investment routes: (1) EUR 250,000 minimum in Hungarian National Bank-registered real estate investment fund shares (5-year holding required); (2) EUR 1,000,000 donation to a public higher education institution. Applied for at a Hungarian consulate in the applicant's country of residence, nationality, or legal stay. Residence permit application must be filed within 30 days of first entry into Hungary.

Guest Investor Residence Permit

Long-term residence permit for third-country nationals who make a qualifying investment of national economic interest in Hungary.

Valid up to 10 years, renewable for additional 10-year periods indefinitely. Two investment routes: EUR 250,000 in real estate fund shares (5-year hold), or EUR 1,000,000 educational/cultural donation to a public higher education institution. Work permitted without restrictions including employment, self-employment, and chief executive roles. Guest investors cannot obtain a National Residence Card (permanent residence). Not a citizenship pathway. Processing time: 21 days. Applied for via Enter Hungary platform or regional NDGAP directorate.

Guest Self-Employment Residence Permit

Allows third-country nationals to pursue self-employed activities or act as chief executive of a business organization registered in Hungary.

Initial permit up to 1 year, extendable up to 3 years total. Self-employed must demonstrate annual income exceeding 24 times the minimum wage (via tax authority certification). Business executives: organization must employ at least 5 Hungarian/EEA nationals full-time for 6 consecutive months, or demonstrate sufficient income. Family reunification restricted for the first year after issuance. Cannot obtain National Residence Card (permanent residence). Cannot hold Hungarian Card or EU Blue Card simultaneously.

Residence Permit for Traineeship

Permits third-country nationals who recently obtained a higher education degree or are currently studying to undertake a traineeship with a Hungarian host organization.

Valid for up to 6 months; not renewable. Applicant must have obtained a higher education degree within 2 years prior, or be currently pursuing relevant studies. Requires a traineeship contract with an approved Hungarian host organization, language proficiency documentation, proof of financial resources, and health insurance. Host organization must commit to covering expulsion costs if needed.

Residence Permit for Seeking a Job or Starting a Business

Grants third-country nationals who held a research or study permit additional time to find employment or set up a business in Hungary.

Valid for maximum 9 months; not extendable. Only available to those transitioning from a research or study residence permit. Must apply via Enter Hungary platform at least 15 days before current permit expires. Holders may subsequently apply for a Hungarian Card, EU Blue Card, or Guest Self-Employment Residence Permit. Must register with employment services or provide employer certification of job commencement within 3 months.

Researcher Residence Permit

Allows third-country national researchers to reside in Hungary while conducting research under a hosting agreement with an accredited Hungarian research organization.

Valid 1–2 years depending on hosting agreement duration. Long-term mobility permit for researchers from other EU Member States valid up to 365 days. Host organizations can submit applications on behalf of researchers via Enter Hungary. Family members of researchers may apply for their own permits. Initial examination within 15 days; final decision within 60 days.

Residence Permit for Family Reunification

Allows family members of Hungarian citizens, residence permit holders, refugees, or qualifying EEA nationals to reside in Hungary.

Valid up to 3 years (extendable); 4 years if sponsor holds EU Blue Card or Corporate Card; 5 years if sponsor is Hungarian citizen with permanent residence; 10 years if sponsor is guest investor. Eligible family members: spouses, minor children (including adopted/foster), and dependent minors with parental custody. Processing time: 21 days standard, 70 days when combined with employment. Cannot exceed the validity of the applicant's travel document or sponsor's permit.

Residence Permit for Medical Treatment

Permits third-country nationals to reside in Hungary to receive medical treatment at a Hungarian medical facility, or to accompany a family member receiving treatment.

Valid up to 2 years; potentially extended for an additional 2 years based on treatment duration. Requires formal statement from the host medical facility. Processing time: 21 days standard, 8 days for minor applicants. Must enter Hungary within 3 months of approval or permit becomes invalid. Cannot apply for other permit types while holding this permit; does not lead to permanent residence. Family members cannot use family reunification provisions.

Residence Permit for Voluntary Activities

Allows third-country nationals to reside in Hungary to perform public interest voluntary activities under contract with an approved host organization or participate in European Voluntary Service.

Valid for the duration of the hosting contract, capped at 2 years. Not available to those with refugee status, subsidiary protection, tolerated status, or EU residence permits. Family members cannot obtain permits through family reunification. Does not lead to permanent residence eligibility. Cannot apply for other permit types while holding or after holding this permit.

National Residence Card

Permanent residence card for third-country nationals who have legally and continuously resided in Hungary for at least 3 years, granting the right to stay indefinitely.

Card valid up to 10 years, renewable for additional 10-year periods. Eligibility: 3 years continuous lawful residence, OR spouse of Hungarian citizen (married 2+ years), OR previously held Hungarian citizenship, OR minor children of long-term residents/recognized refugees, OR dependent ancestors residing with sponsor for 1+ years. Not available to those holding temporary work or study permits or to guest investors. Processing time 70 days standard; 5 days for children born in Hungary to eligible parents. Applications submitted via Enter Hungary platform only.

EU Long-Term Residence Card (EU Residence Card)

EU-standard permanent residence status for third-country nationals who have resided legally in Hungary for at least 5 years, conferring rights comparable to EU citizens within Hungary.

Card valid up to 10 years, renewable. Requires 5 years continuous lawful residence, or 2 years in Hungary plus 5 years total holding EU Blue Card, research, or study permits across EU Member States. Not available to students, seasonal workers, those under diplomatic immunity, asylum applicants, refugees, or those with tolerated status. Requires Hungarian cultural knowledge exam certificate. Applications via Enter Hungary platform only. Administrative fee: confirmed applicable, amount not extracted.

Permanent Residence Card (EEA Nationals)

Grants EEA nationals the right to permanent residence in Hungary after 5 years of continuous legal residence.

Available to EEA nationals who have resided continuously and legally in Hungary for 5 years, with accelerated pathways for workers reaching retirement age (3+ years residence), those forced to stop work due to illness (2+ years residence), accident-related incapacity, or workers commuting to another EEA state. Administrative fee: HUF 1,500 (paid electronically). Processing time: 70 days. Card remains valid indefinitely when paired with a valid travel/ID document. Application requires both in-person and electronic submission.

Residence Permit for the Purpose of Studies (Student/Pupil)

Allows third-country nationals to reside in Hungary to pursue full-time studies at an accredited Hungarian higher education institution, public education institution, or preparatory course.

Issued for the duration of studies: minimum 1 year (or shorter if the training lasts under 1 year), maximum 3 years; extendable for a further 1-3 years. First entry uses a single-entry Type D visa (valid 3 months, up to 30-day stay) to collect the permit. Students may undertake limited employment. Initial assessment 15 days; final decision within 60 days. Applied for via the Enter Hungary platform or a Hungarian consulate.

Working Holiday Residence Permit

Allows young nationals of partner countries with a working holiday agreement with Hungary to stay primarily for tourism while working temporarily to help fund their trip.

Available only to nationals of the 10 partner countries with bilateral working holiday agreements: Australia (annual quota 500), Argentina (200), Chile (200), Hong Kong (200), Japan (200), South Korea (100), Ecuador (100), Colombia (100), Taiwan (100), and New Zealand (100). The number of permits issued per year cannot exceed the treaty quota; once exhausted, further applications are rejected. Exact age limits and stay duration are set by each individual bilateral agreement (typically for young adults, up to about 1 year).

National Card (Nemzeti Kártya)

Preferential work-and-residence permit for citizens of Serbia and Ukraine (and other nationals designated by government decree) employed by, or running a business in, Hungary.

Introduced in 2024 for Serbian and Ukrainian citizens; scope later extended by government decree to certain additional third-country nationals. Valid up to 2 years, extendable for the same purpose up to 3 years at a time. Covers employees (including temporary-agency workers) and owners/chief executives performing actual work; permits family reunification. Standard examination 21 days; final decision within 70 days. Applied for via the Enter Hungary platform or a regional directorate; approval authorises a single-entry D visa to enter and collect the card.

Residence Permit for Official Purposes

For third-country nationals residing in Hungary for official functions: diplomats and their family members, members of official state delegations, foreign press correspondents, and participants or staff of international educational, scientific, or cultural programs.

Valid up to 3 years, extendable for a further period not exceeding 3 years. Covers persons enjoying diplomatic or other privileges/immunities under international law and their family members, official delegation members, accredited press correspondents, and participants in international educational/scientific/cultural cooperation. Standard processing 21 days. Applied for via the Enter Hungary platform or a Hungarian consulate.

Residence Permit for Reasons of Hungarian National Interest

Discretionary residence permit granted by the minister responsible for immigration when a third-country national's stay serves Hungary's economic, national-policy, scientific, cultural, or sporting interests.

Discretionary permit with no fixed nationality list. Valid up to 3 years, renewable for additional 3-year periods. Applicant must generally perform actual work in Hungary or demonstrate an economic, national-policy, scientific, cultural, or sporting interest to Hungary. Standard processing 21 days. Extension requires having resided in Hungary at least 90 days in any 180-day period. Applied for via the Enter Hungary platform (for visa-free nationals already in Hungary) or a Hungarian consulate.