Kenyan Citizens travelling to Hungary require a visa. In this article, we are going to look at all the requirements one must meet before applying for a Hungary Visa. We will cover all the types of visas available for Kenyans, documents required, processing time and the charges.
One good thing about getting a Hungary Visa is that you will be able to access other 26 Schengen countries freely without being stopped at the border points. Kenyans travelling to Hungary can apply for a short-stay visa, long-stay visa, or a long stay study visa.
a) Hungary Schengen Short Stay Visa
The short stay/uniform visa (c) allows one to a stay of maximum 90 days in Hungary. You can apply for a short-stay Schengen visa to Hungary at the Hungarian Embassy in Nairobi after meeting the requirements below. Appointment can be booked via this link
1. A completed and signed Schengen Visa application form. The form can be found here.
2. An original passport valid for at least 3 months after the scheduled return and have at least 2 blank pages at the time of application. The passport must have been issued within the last ten years and shall contain at least two blank pages.
3. Photocopy of the original passport including the data page, immigration file no, any other visa, residence permits, entry and exit stamps.
4. Photocopy of the national ID card (both sides).
5. One colour photo not more than six months old, passport size (45 mm x 35 mm), full face and taken against a light background.
Wearing glasses is allowed if the eyes still visible easily and the light does not reflect back from the lentil. Wearing shawl is not allowed except for religious purposes and if the face remains visible.
If the photo does not correspond to the prescribed requirements the applicant shall hand another photo with the required conditions, or a photograph may be taken in place by the consulate.
6. Individual medical travel insurance which covers all costs that could arise as a result of emergency medical assistance, emergency hospitalization or medical repatriation. The insurance should cover costs of at least EUR 30,000 and be valid for the duration of the stay in Hungary/all the Schengen countries.
7. Travel itinerary.
8. Accommodation, or proof of sufficient means to cover accommodation.
9. Assessment of sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to the country of origin or residence.
The financial coverage of the expenses can be certified with the following documents;
• an original income certificate of the employer or
• a bank account statement on the account turnover during the last three months or
• a pension slip or
• a certificate of registration in the case of an individual entrepreneur or one-man firm or
• a valid air ticket booking and confirmation of the reserved accommodation
• in the case of minors, a declaration by the legal representative on the coverage of the costs and on the existence of the financial coverage or
• a letter of invitation issued and endorsed by the Office of Immigration and Asylum.
Additional requirements for applicants travelling for touristic purpose
1. Detailed travel itinerary
2. Hotel booking
3. If you are employed, you will be required to submit a signed letter from your current employer containing the following information:
- Your personal data, your function/profession;
- Terms of employment (temporary or permanent);
- Starting date of employment;
- Monthly net salary;
- Number of years with employer/organization;
- Granted leave days;
- Date and contact details of the employer.
4. If you are self-employed, you will be required to submit a copy of Kenya PIN Certificate and certified personal bank statement with bank referral letter covering the last three months
5. If you are retired, you will be required to submit documents proving your pension or other financial support.
6. Any other documents relating to your personal ties in Kenya like marriage certificate, title deeds or lease agreements, etc.
Additional requirements for applicants travelling for purpose of business and conference (including official visits)
1. Signed and stamped letter of invitation. The invitation must contain the following information;
- Your personal data
- The reason for your visit to the Member State of destination
- How long you intend to be in the Member State
- Who will be responsible for supporting you financially during the time you are in the European Union
- Date and contact details
2. Signed and stamped letter from your current employer or organization containing the following information:
- Your personal data
- Your function/profession
- Terms of employment (temporary or permanent, begin and end dates of the contract)
- Number of years with employer/organization
- Purpose of the visit
- Who will be responsible for supporting you financially during the time you are in the Schengen Area
- Salary: payslips & certified bank account statements from the last three months
3. If you are self-employed, submit a copy of Kenya PIN Certificate and certified bank statement for business account for the last three months.
4. If you are attending a conference which requires prior registration, proof of registration and receipt for the registration fee.
Additional requirements for minors (under 18 years)
1. Copy of birth certificate (the original must be presented)
2. Copy of both parents ID-cards
3. Legalized written consent letter from both parents if the child is travelling alone, or from the parent that is not accompanying the child when travelling. The letter should include the parent(s) telephone and e-mail contacts
4. If either one of the parents is absent or deceased this must be supported by the information on the death certificate or a Court Order for the custody.
5. If the legal guardian is someone else apart from the biological parent as stated in the birth certificate a custody order must be submitted proving the legal guardianship
6. A letter from school containing the child’s name, name of parents, grade, number of years at school, school holidays, contact details, date and name of a school representative.
7. If the child is travelling with a group, submit a complete list of names of all group members travelling and name of the person in charge of the group
Additional requirements for applicants travelling for purpose of visiting family and friends
1. A letter of invitation issued and endorsed by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing of Hungary.
2. If you are employed, submit a signed and stamped letter from your current employer containing the following information:
- Your personal data, your function/profession;
- Terms of employment (temporary or permanent, begin and end dates of the contract);
- Number of years with employer/organization;
- Granted leave days;
- Date and contact details
3. If you are self-employed, submit a copy of Kenya PIN Certificate and certified personal bank statement covering at least the last three months.
4. If you are retired, submit documents proving your pension or other financial support.
5. Any other documents relating to your personal establishment in Kenya like marriage certificate, title deeds or lease agreements.
Hungary Schengen Short Stay Visa Charges
The visa fee is Ksh 9, 121 which can be paid by bank card ONLY on the day of application. In case the applicant doesn’t have a bank card, the Consular Section will direct him/her to the closest bank branch in order to deposit the fee on the day of application. For those who reside outside Kenya, there is an additional passport postage/courier fee of Ksh 4,561.
Processing Time
It takes 15 calendar days to process a Schengen short-stay visa to Hungary.
Appeal Procedure
If the visa is refused applicants have the right to appeal. Appeals can be submitted 8 days within the date of receiving the decision on refusal. The fee of the appeal procedure is Ksh 3, 421 which should be paid at the same time when submitting the appeal.
N/B: The applications must be submitted at least 15 days but maximum 6 months before the date of the intended departure. The visa applications must also be submitted in person.
b) Hungary Long Stay Visa Requirements
The long-stay visa allows one to stay more than 90 days in Hungary. You can apply for a long stay visa for Hungary at the Hungarian Embassy in Nairobi. Appointments can be booked via this link.
Requirements
1. A wholly and legibly completed, signed “residence permit” application form together with the relevant appendix. The resident application form can be obtained here. Select and download the relevant Appendix by selecting the purpose of your stay in Hungary from the website of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing.
2. Valid passport (the validity of which has to exceed that of the requested visa by at least 3 months)
3. 1 passport-size colour photo (not older than 6 months)
The photograph has to meet the following requirements:
- Not older than 6 months
- colour
- passport-size (35-40 mm in width)
- sharp, good quality
- entire face
- one coloured, bright background
- shawl is not allowed except for religious purposes
- photo made in the face of the camera
Wearing glasses is allowed if the eyes still visible easily and the light does not reflect back from the lentil. Wearing shawl is not allowed except for religious purposes and if the face remains visible.
If the photo does not correspond to the prescribed requirements the applicant shall hand another photo with the required conditions, or a photograph may be taken in place by the consulate.
4. Supporting documents of the purpose of stay.
5. Justification of the permit of return or further travel.
6. Supporting documents of the accommodation.
7. Documents certifying subsistence in Hungary.
8. Health insurance or equal financial means.
Additional requirements in case of a residence permit for the purpose of paid activity
1. Work permit.
2. Contract of employment.
3. Document certifying occupancy in Hungary.
4. Certificate on how the person will make a living until he receives his first salary (bank account statement, employer’s certificate that he will pay an advance to the person, etc.)
5. Certificate on the character of the gainful activity (the articles of association)
6. Resolution on the court registration of the enterprise.
7. Document certifying occupancy in Hungary.
8. Certificate on the acquisition of the qualification necessary for filling the position.
9. Declaration, certificate on the (expected) yearly income.
10. Certificate of the amount of money at the person’s disposal in Hungary.
11. Simplified balance sheet of the previous year (for a firm already operating).
12. Certificate that the firm has no public debt (for a firm already operating).
13. If the firm has Hungarian employees: their employment contracts.
14. In case of a new enterprise: a brief business plan.
Additional requirements in case of a residence permit for educational purposes
1. Certificate of school attendance,
2. Document certifying occupancy in Hungary (the document certifying accommodation in a student hostel or the tenancy contract with a duplicate of the title deed), and
3. Documents certifying subsistence in Hungary (bank account statement; or the declaration of the parents that they assume coverage of all costs of the stay in Hungary; or the document certifying the scholarship).
4. Attestation of the school that the applicant is exempt from the payment of school fees or that he/she has already paid the tuition fees.
Additional requirements in case of residence permit for visit
1. An official letter of invitation countersigned by the OIN, or an invitation included in a notarial document,
2. A certificate of the average income of the inviting party,
3. A duplicate of the title deed, and
4. A copy of the passport or the personal identification document of the inviting party.
Hungary Long Stay Visa Charges
The fee is Ksh 6, 841 which can be paid by bank card ONLY on the day of application. In case the applicant doesn’t have a bank card, the Consular Section will direct him/her to the closest bank branch in order to deposit the fee on the day of application.
Non-Kenyan residents also have to pay the courier fee for sending the passports to their address which is Ksh 4, 561.
Processing Time
It takes 21 days to process a long-stay visa. Long-stay visa applications are decided by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing of Hungary and NOT by the Embassy/Consular Office in Nairobi.
N/B: The applications must be submitted at least 15 days but maximum 6 months before the date of the intended departure.
C) Hungary Long Stay Study Visa Requirements
You can apply for a Hungary long-stay study visa at the Hungarian Embassy in Nairobi after meeting the requirements below. Appointment can be booked via this link
1. Applicant’s passport + copy (minimum 1-year validity).
- The passport must have been issued within the last ten years and must contain at least two blank pages.
2. A filled and signed visa application form + Appendix. You can obtain the visa application form here. The appendix can be found here.
3. One passport-size photograph.
The photograph has to meet the following requirements:
- Not older than 6 months
- colour
- passport-size (35-40 mm in width)
- sharp, good quality
- entire face
- one coloured, bright background
- shawl is not allowed except for religious purposes
- photo made in the face of the camera
Wearing glasses is allowed if the eyes still visible easily and the light does not reflect back from the lentil. Wearing shawl is not allowed except for religious purposes and if the face remains visible.
If the photo does not correspond to the prescribed requirements the applicant shall hand another photo with the required conditions, or a photograph may be taken in place by the consulate.
4. Travel Health Insurance covering one month.
5. Parent’s or guardian’s bank statements.
6. Summarized statement (letter) from the respective bank to show the balance is in Euros or US Dollars.
7. Letter from the employer.
8. Commitment letter (Sworn Affidavit) from the parent or guardian that he or she will support the student during his/her education in Hungary. Proof of sufficient funds of the guarantor – The guarantor must have adequate means of subsistence and stand surety for any costs incurred by the student in terms of health treatment, residence in Hungary and repatriation, for at least one academic year. The guarantor must have a regular income.
9. Evidence of relationship with the sponsor (eg. birth certificates).
10. Original Letter of University Admission – Proof of Registration.
11. Evidence of Fees paid, tuition fees and accommodation.
12. Students degree and academic records, Proof of studies: equivalent Diploma or degree requested (legalized).
13. Evidence of your accommodation in Hungary.
Hungary Long Stay Study Visa Charges
The visa fee is Ksh 6,841 per student which can be paid by bank card ONLY on the day of application. In case the applicant doesn’t have a bank card, the Consular Section will direct him/her to the closest bank branch in order to deposit the fee on the day of application.
For those who reside outside Kenya, there is an additional passport courier fee of Ksh 4,561.
Processing Time
The long-stay study visa procedure can take up to 3 – 4 weeks.
Appeal Procedure
If the visa is refused applicants have the right to appeal. Appeals can be submitted 8 days within the date of receiving the decision on refusal. The fee of the appeal procedure is Ksh 2,281 which should be paid at the same time when submitting the appeal.
N/B: Applications should be submitted 4 or 5 weeks before the date of commencement of studies in Hungary, but maximum 3 months before the date of the intended departure. Applicants are also required to attend in person.
Embassy Of Hungary Nairobi Contacts
Location: Kabarsiran Avenue (off James Gichuru Road) Lavington, Nairobi
Phone: +254 738 905 187, +254 742 984 724
Opening hours: Visa Section: Tuesday and Thursday, between 9.00 and 13.00
