Are you wanting to move to Budapest (or elsewhere in Hungary)? I’ll never regret moving to Budapest as a 23-year old looking for adventure. But let me tell you…immigration is no joke! Since moving here in 2017 from the U.S., I’ve gone through several residency permits and have visited the Budapest immigration office too many times to count. I know it can be intimidating (especially if you don’t have a Hungarian to help you), so I want to share my experiences and hopefully make your life easier. Here are tips about the Budapest immigration office from the perspective of a non-EU, third-country national.
Note: This blog only contains my observations about the immigration office itself, not Hungarian immigration laws or policy. I cannot offer any legal advice regarding specific visas. If you have questions about a specific permit or immigration situation, please reach out to a professional. Good luck! Xx
About EnterHungary: Digital Immigration Application
Hungarian immigration has gone digital! You can now start most of the residence permit applications online by creating an EnterHungary account. In fact, filling out your application on this site is now mandatory for most residence permit types. Be ready to scan and upload all of your documents. However, there are a few important tips to keep in mind!
- You will still have to visit the immigration office: Once your application is approved, you will need to come in and have your fingerprints taken. Bring printed out versions of your application with you, just in case.
- You MUST connect your documents! The EnterHungary online system can be confusing, and it’s unfortunately easy to mistakenly mess up your documents. What does this mean? In EnterHungary, you must take two steps to fully connect your documents. First, you upload your document–don’t stop there. After, you must also click and “connect” the document to your application. If you fail to do this, the system will not register your document and they cannot consider it for your application. Eventually, your application can be denied, and you will have to start the costly appeal process. Save yourself time and money and double-check that you’ve connected your documents.
- Remember your EnterHungary application number: This number will identify your application in the system. It is one of the first things they ask for at the immigration office. The number starts with an “EH“. Have it ready to make your time at the office go more smoothly. You can find it on your EnterHungary profile.
How to Get to the Budapest Immigration Office
This article is regarding the main Budapest immigration office, which is at Budafoki út 60, 1117. Thankfully, it’s quite easy to get to. Take Bus 133E to Hengermalom Út. Then, you simply need to cross the street and you’ve arrived at the office. Follow the walking path and enter the first door on your left. Then, turn left and you will see the line to the reception counter. Tell the immigration officer the purpose of your visit and have your documents ready. They will then select the right number for your case, and you must wait to be called.
Tips for the Budapest Immigration Office
- Double-check that you have all your documents.
- Bring cash for the photo machine–just in case! It costs 2000 HUF and the machine does not give change.
- Bring entertainment–the wait will probably be longer than you think
- Stay calm and polite: Trust me-I know waiting around in immigration is stressful. It’s so vulnerable and frustrating when your future is up in the air. But everybody working there is also stressed. Try to stay calm so that you can both get through it as quickly as possible.
Budapest Immigration Office FAQs
There are multiple, however the main office where you’ll likely have your case is at Budafoki út 60, 1117.
The last time I went, the hours were:
Monday-Thursda:y 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
This can always change, so make sure to double check before going.
Note: The “closing hour” is when the desk stops taking numbers. So you could get a number at 1:55 but not be seen until 3:30, for example.
This varies. I’ve had agents who range from no English to fluent English. It is not guaranteed. Hire a Hungarian translator if you don’t want to take the chance.
You can explore the Hungarian immigration website here.
Yes, you can make an appointment on the website. However, they can be hard to get last-minute, and even with an appointment, they can run behind. So plan to be there longer than you would expect.
This truly varies. My visits have ranged from 1 hour to 4 hours. All I can say is–always expect it to take longer than you’d think, and leave plenty of room in your schedule.
Yes, there is a small corner of the room with coloring tables and toys. However, it is very small and the materials are quite old, so I’d suggest bringing your own.
Yes, there is a photo machine. At time of writing this article, it cost 2000 HUF for passport photos. Bring small bills as the machine does not give change (in a pinch, you can run to Burger King to break your bill). However, there is always the chance that the machine will be out of order, so try to get your photos beforehand.
There are vending machines selling small snacks and water. The next closest food option is a supermarket across the street or Burger King a 5-minute walk away. If you can, eat before or bring your own snacks.
I hope this guide will make navigating the Budapest immigration office a bit easier. I know I wish I’d had a guide when I started navigating it all on my own. If you’re hoping to move to Budapest, and are a third-country national, be prepared for a lot of paperwork. But also, be prepared for a great time in a great city. I’m crossing my fingers for you!
Good luck!
Xx Denae
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