Hungary student visa and study residence permit

The permit is for full-time students at a state-recognised Hungarian higher education institution or a foreign university licensed to operate in Hungary, for pupils in full-time day education at a registered school, and for students on a preparatory course organised by a university. You must have the language skills the programme requires.

Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holders follow the same procedure but pay no permit fee. Exchange stays of up to 90 days, for example Erasmus mobility, use a Schengen visa instead (if your nationality needs one), with a letter from the sending institution or programme.

OIF asks for the admission letter or proof of student status, proof of language ability (an official language certificate or proof of studies in that language), proof that tuition has been paid, and proof of means: a bank statement, a notarised sponsor declaration with the sponsor’s financial proof, an income certificate or a scholarship award. No fixed minimum amount is published.

For extensions, add a certificate of the semesters completed. All documents are submitted as originals with copies.

Visa-required nationals must obtain the residence permit before travelling; a Schengen visa does not allow study beyond 90 days. Book an appointment on the Hungarian consular booking system and choose the correct purpose of stay: a wrong category means the file is not accepted and you must rebook. The file is lodged in person at the Hungarian mission responsible for your residence (or its service provider), usually followed by an interview; third parties cannot lodge it for you.

Bring the OIF application form filled in and signed, originals and copies of all documents, a passport valid at least three months with two blank pages issued within ten years, and two biometric photos no older than three months. Incomplete files are not forwarded to the immigration authority until the missing papers arrive. If approved, a single-entry D visa valid for 3 months (30 days’ stay) is issued so you can travel and collect the card; the approval lapses if you do not enter within 3 months.

Extensions are filed in Hungary via Enter Hungary, 90 to 30 days before expiry, if you have spent at least 90 days in every 180 in Hungary; each extension runs 1 to 3 years. The authority may refuse or revoke it if you have not graduated within one and a half times the nominal programme length.

Once you graduate, while the study permit is still valid, you can apply in Hungary for a job-seeking or business-start permit of up to 9 months, and from it for a Hungarian Card, EU Blue Card or guest self-employment permit.

A refusal can be appealed within 8 days of delivery, to the authority that decided or through the Hungarian mission where you applied, by appointment. The appeal fee abroad is EUR 160. Late appeals, appeals without reasons or appeals relying on facts you already knew before the decision are rejected without examination.