Are you thinking of traveling to Hungary from Pakistan and are unclear about the next steps? Do not worry, this article will discuss the essential information required to apply for a Hungary visa from Pakistan.
The first requirement is to get a visa to enter the country legally. So, follow this guide to the end to identify the required documents, application steps, and tips.
Tidbit about Hungary
Hungary is a landlocked Central European country. The Turkish and Roman empires influenced Hungarian culture, which included the addition of mineral spas, such as Lake Hévíz.
Moreover, its capital city (Budapest) is divided into two by the Danube River. Besides, the place has numerous famous items including,
- Architectural landmarks
- Buda’s medieval Castle Hill
- Neoclassical buildings
- Pest’s Andrássy Avenue
- 19th century Chain Bridge
What is a Hungary Visa from Pakistan?
It is a travel document that allows Pakistani nationals to enter Hungary and freely move within the target country and other neighboring states in the Schengen Area.
The Schengen Zone includes almost 29 European countries and Hungary is one of them. This region has eliminated the internal border checks, thus creating a single territory for international travelers to visit their favorite country.
Furthermore, a Hungarian visa permits you to travel to your destination country for business, leisure, study purposes, etc.
Important: Note that you are not guaranteed entry into the country with a Hungarian visa. The border officials will make a final decision to grant you entry to the Schengen Area.
Hungary Visa Regulations
- Pakistani citizens and third-country nationals living in Pakistan can apply for a Hungarian visa at the Embassy in Islamabad.
- Moreover, residents of Pakistan can also apply for a short-term or Type C Schengen visa when traveling to Estonia or Lithuania through the Hungarian Consular and Visa Section in Islamabad.
- Afghani citizens, having non-diplomatic and non-service passports, can also apply for a visa at the Hungarian Embassy in Islamabad.
- Furthermore, having a visa shows that you can enter Hungary, however, it does not authorize you to cross the border. Therefore, you are required to submit documents proving the purpose of traveling to Hungary. If you fail to do this, you will be denied entry at the border.
- A Schengen visa is issued for three months within one hundred and eighty days. You can use it for single, double, or multiple entries.
Advantages of Having a Hungarian Visa
Having a Hungarian visa allows Pakistani citizens to enjoy the following benefits.
- Considering the visa type, you can enter the country single, double, or multiple times. If you plan to frequently travel to the Schengen Zone, having a multiple-entry visa is beneficial.
- If you get a visa to Hungary, you can also travel to other Schengen countries such as Spain, France, Germany, etc. without applying for a separate visa.
- Furthermore, traveling to Hungary for a short duration of time requires you to apply for a Schengen visa. This allows you to stay in the country for almost three months within 180 days.
- Besides, you can use a Schengen visa for a wide range of purposes including business, tourism, study, medical treatment, visiting friends or family members, etc.
- Lastly, a visit to the Schengen region gives you the freedom to travel to almost 29 countries with a single visa. However, you must be responsible and respect the rules and laws of the countries you are planning to visit.
Hungary Visa Types
Traveling to Hungary requires you to select an appropriate visa category. So, Pakistani citizens can choose from the following visa types considering their visit purpose.
Short-stay visa
A short-stay visa allows travelers to stay in the country for a short duration of time. The validity of this visa is up to 90 days within 180 days. Moreover, you can use it for single, double, or multiple entries. Besides, it is further categorized into the following types.
Tourist visa
A Hungarian tourist visa allows you to travel to the destination country for purposes including sightseeing, leisure, and tourism.
Visitor visa
A visitor visa permits you to travel to Hungary to meet with friends and family members for a short duration of time. They can also sponsor your trip by submitting a letter of sponsorship.
Business visa
Pakistani citizens can apply for a business visa to attend business meetings, and conferences, negotiate contracts, and trade affairs when traveling to Hungary.
Medical visa
If you are going to Hungary for medical treatment, you need to apply for a medical visa. The relevant medical facility in the host country must submit a document detailing the treatment plan and duration.
Study visa
Pakistani students can visit Hungary by applying for a student visa to participate in short-term study courses with a validity of less than three months.
Sports visa
Lastly, a sports visa allows you to attend a sports event happening in Hungary, Lithuania, or Estonia.
Long-stay visa
On the other hand, for a stay longer than 90 days, you can apply for a long-stay visa. Its validity depends on the purpose of your trip to Hungary. However, usually, it stays valid for a minimum of one year.
In addition, it has the following subclasses that you can choose from.
Work/employment visa
A work or employment visa grants you entry to Hungary for long-term stay or work purposes. However, to legally start working for your Hungarian employer, you must get a work and residence permit.
Study visa
Study courses spanning more than six months require you to apply for a long-term student visa. An acceptance letter from the target education institute is a mandatory document to submit.
Family reunification visa
If you want to reunite with your family living in Hungary, Estonia, or Lithuania, you can apply for a family reunification visa. For a permanent stay, get a residence permit after landing in the destination country.
Digital nomad visa
Freelancers and remote workers can apply for a digital nomad visa to travel to and work in Hungary. However, you are not allowed to bring a spouse or a dependent to Hungary on a digital nomad visa.
Which Documents Should Pakistani Citizens Have When Applying for a Hungary Visa?
Pakistani citizens must provide the following supporting documents when applying for a Hungary visa.
Application form for visa
The first important document is the application form that you need to submit after filling it out. Depending on the duration of your stay, you can download an application form for a short-stay visa or a long-stay visa, print it, and complete it by providing the information required.
Travel documents (passport)
Furthermore, as a Pakistani citizen, submit your passport having a validity of at least three months ahead of your stay in the target country. Besides, it should not be older than the last ten years. It is a travel document that must contain two blank pages to affix visa stamps.
Photographs
A Hungarian visa requires you to submit two recent passport-size pictures. It should be according to the Schengen photo guidelines including the dimension of 2 x 2, white background color, HD quality, not older than six months, etc.
Round-trip reservation
Submitting proof of flight reservation is a vital requirement of the visa process. This document shows that you have true intentions of flying to the target country. Also, note that a reservation is different from an actual ticket and can be used for visa processing only.
Moreover, this document shows information including,
- Your first and last name
- Flight number/ airline company
- Travel dates and times
- IATA codes
- Luggage weight
Proof of accommodation
Furthermore, the embassy officials may request you to show the place of your residence in Hungary. For this purpose, you can submit proof of accommodation.
Therefore, you can have any of the following documents.
- A hotel reservation
- An invitation letter from the host
- A rental contract for an apartment or house
You can read this detailed blog to learn how to book a hotel using RFV Travels.
Letter of application (cover letter)
A cover letter for a visa is an additional document that you must draft to represent your case from a personal point of view. For this purpose, you can add details about your destination country, the planned set of activities, the duration of your stay, etc.
Feel free to visit https://coverletterforvisa.com to buy a well-crafted cover letter from travel experts at a minimal cost.
Travel health insurance
In addition, a travel health insurance policy is mandatory when applying for a Hungarian Schengen visa. It must have a coverage amount of at least 30,000 to 45,000 euros.
As a result, it will save you from unexpected expenses such as surgery, hospitalization, repatriation, evacuation, etc.
Proof of financial documents
Your trip to Hungary will be incomplete if you fail to provide proof of financial documents. This requirement is mandatory to show the embassy officials that you have sufficient resources to manage your daily expenses.
For this purpose, you can submit documents such as bank statements, salary slips, or income tax returns.
Biometric data
Before submitting your documents, you need to visit the embassy to submit your biometric data. This includes your fingerprints and photos.
Visa payment receipt
After depositing the visa application fee, make sure to submit the payment receipt as proof to show that you have paid the specific amount.
Proof of civil status
Another document you must have is proof of civil status. This includes certificates such as your marriage certificate, birth certificate of your child, and death certificate of a spouse (if applicable).
Polio vaccination certificate
Lastly, South Asians including Pakistanis need to submit a polio vaccination certificate to represent the test results of the disease. This will enable them to travel to Hungary freely without any restrictions.
Application Process for a Hungary Visa from Pakistan
Pakistani citizens can either submit their application to the Embassy of Hungary in Islamabad or apply for the process through VFS Global. Follow the steps mentioned below to apply for a Hungary visa from Pakistan using the second method.
Step 1: Visit the website
The first step requires you to visit the website of VFS Global on Google. From several results, choose the highlighted one.
Step 2: Enter the countries
The next step is to add the home and destination countries, i.e., Pakistan and Hungary. Then click on ‘take me to the website’ to proceed ahead.
Step 3: Choose the suitable visa type
After that, choose a suitable visa type depending on the reason for visiting Hungary.
Step 4: Download the application form
Then, you can download the application form, print it, and complete it by adding the requested details. For example, it may ask your personal details, travel information, accommodation plans, etc.
Step 5: Collect the documents
Make sure to collect all the required documents to show your eligibility for the Hungary visa. It also requires you to compile them in a logical sequence.
Step 6: Book an appointment
Using VFS Global, you can either schedule an appointment online or by visiting the center. On the date of your appointment, submit your biometric data including fingerprints and photos.
Step 7: Visit the application center
Your appointment day requires you to visit the application center. For this purpose, you can submit the documents along with the application form. Attending a visa interview is also necessary for Pakistani citizens.
Step 8: Deposit your fees
After that, you can pay the fees to the same center in local currency using cash or a credit card.
Step 9: Track your application
This step is all about waiting for the response. Meanwhile, you can track your application online by entering the reference number.
Step 10: Collect your passport
Lastly, if your visa is approved, you can collect it on the given date. Another method is to get it delivered through a courier service.
Hungary Visa Application Fee
The application fee for a Hungary visa from Pakistan depends on the type of permit you apply for and the age group to which you belong. For example, look at the following table.
| Visa types | Fee in Euros | Fee in Pakistani Rupees |
| Short-stay visa | For adults over 12 years of age, 90 euros | 26,358 PKR |
| For children between six and twelve, 45 euros | 13,179 PKR | |
| Minors below six, FREE | Minors below six, FREE | |
| Long-stay visa | 100 euros | 29,241 PKR |
| Transit visa | 80 euros | 23,393 PKR |
Processing Time for a Hungary Visa
Usually, the standard processing time for a Hungary visa from Pakistan is 25 to 30 days. However, in case of peak travel season, a higher number of applications, or workload on the embassy, the period gets extended for up to 45 days to 2 months.
So, make sure to apply as early as you can from the planned date of departure.
How Can You Successfully Apply for a Hungary Visa from Pakistan?
Regardless of the document submission, the following tips will help you apply for a Hungary visa from Pakistan successfully.
Choose the right embassy
Choosing the right embassy is the most important part of the process. If you want to visit multiple Schengen countries, visit the embassy of that country where you will stay for a longer duration of time.
Attend the interview
Depending on the choice of the embassy, always be prepared to attend the interview. It is an important part of the entire visa process.
Have a transparent travel plan
Your travel itinerary should be clear and transparent showing all the activities till your return to the home country. Also, include documents such as hotel bookings, sponsorship letters, and flight reservations.
Be honest
Refrain from avoiding any false information when filling out your visa application form. Always be honest when submitting your documents. In either case, your visa will be rejected due to obvious reasons such as missing documents.
Stay up to dated
Another tip is to stay up to date with the additional information requested by the embassy officials. Moreover, you are also required to track the status of your application.
Top Reasons for a Hungary Visa Rejection
Your visa could be rejected for any reason. However, the following are some of the common grounds that are the basis of the Hungary Schengen visa rejection.
Inadequate funds
If you fail to demonstrate that you have enough funds to manage your daily expenses in Hungary, your visa will be rejected.
Absence of travel insurance
One of the most important requirements of the Schengen visa is having travel insurance. In case you lack it, your application will be rejected.
Inappropriate visa category
When your application is being reviewed, if the embassy finds that the chosen visa category does not align with the purpose of the visit, your application will be refused.
Insufficient documents to prove your return
Moreover, your application will also be rejected if any of the submitted documents show that you will overstay your visa.
Missing documents
Lastly, if any of the documents are inaccurate or missing, this can also lead to visa refusal. For instance, it includes the lack of travel insurance, insufficient funds, etc.
Final Words
Applying for a Hungary visa from Pakistan is a straightforward process with the right guide in hand. We hope that this article has cleared all your queries related to the visa types, requirements, application steps, processing fees, etc.
You can also read our article on Germany visa from Pakistan if planning a trip to this Schengen country.