New immigration process
 

Hi All,

Just been informed that the immigration office (on Budafoki Ut in Budapest) are now wanting 3 months of "proof of income" FROM A HUNGARIAN BANK ACCOUNT ONLY. They are no longer interested in your overseas bank account or cases where you just dump foreign money into a HU bank account "to show immigration you have the money". Now they want to see regular income in the HU bank account (around 100,000 Ft per month upwards should do the trick).

Re: New immigration process
 

Is this to get residency?

Re: New immigration process
 

That is to get a temporary (up to 5 years valid) Residence Card & Address Card.

After the five years whereby you can become permanent resident, you could be unemployed of course (i.e. work up until the 5 years, apply for permanent residency and then sit on you back side ;)

Re: New immigration process
 

I have never heard mention that residency was only valid for 5 years. I just checked my cards and neither show an expiry date. If they were only for 5 years they must have expired about 2 months ago.

Re: New immigration process
 

The up to 5 years Residence Card & Address Card is what you get when you first come to Hungary. The residence card has a number on it and the address card has a date on it (date of immigration interview) and no photo id - After 5 years you can apply for a permanent residency with photo id. So if you have a photo id you are permanent.

Re: New immigration process
 

Sounds like fun for the self employed! With the bees I get paid once or twice a year!

No-one mentioned to us there was a 5 year limit? Need to look into that.

Re: New immigration process
 

When I was getting my residence card and asked the immigration officer "How long is it valid for?" his reply was "normally 5 years, but I will give you an indefinite one".

I'm assuming the 5 years, at that time (2014), was because they assumed you would either apply for permanent residency (photo id) or quit hungary?

Re: New immigration process
 

Food for thought by the way - Anyone who has stayed in Hungary for ages will know that Department #1 tells you 2 and Department 2 (who does'nt even talk to department #1) tells you 1 whereby you then get the answer 4 ;) This is true of some TAJ offices for example. They tell you about E104 when it should be S041 and then, because they do not want to do the legwork, tell you to visit the HMRC; when it should be their job to do that side of the TAJ process.

Re: New immigration process
 

Same here, did not know it runs out ????? no-one I know has mentioned it very strange

Re: New immigration process
 

Seems reasonable - But do they care where it comes from i.e. could it be transferred from from the prospective residents foreign bank account monthly, or does it have to be from a Hungarian source which could imply gainful employment.

I presume that there is some method of accounting for irregular income as from self-employment (e.g. jetsam1 above) but that would imply some proper forethought going into the new regulations - Hmm in typical Hungarian fashion perhaps the Mk2 regs. might cater for this !!

Re: New immigration process
 

My HU GF just told me the full story (she must of been on the sauce earlier :o - Apparently, the HU bank account was only needed because the EU man (partner from the UK) withdrew all his money, took it to Hungary and went to live in Hungary with his HU GF whereby he went to the immigration office days later with an empty bank statement. This caused compliations whereby he had no papers (i.e. he wasn't buying a house or working, etc) and had to open some sort of joint HU bank account with his HU GF. This is because immigration wanted proof he could support himself for at least 3 months before issuing him a residence card and address card.

Appologies for the confusion :o:o:o:o:o:o

Re: New immigration process
 

Just visited the immigration office in Budapest and can confirm that the residence card is unlimited - valid for as long as you are alive in Hungary ;)

The immigration officer also told me the money is just a formality.

Furthermore, if u work in Hungary to get the residence permit or buy a property to get a residence permit, both residence permits are the same - unlimited.

Bus 133e is the best way to get there as it also stops right outside their building.

As to my immigration officer in 2014, I can only assume he had a dry sense of humour!

Re: New immigration process
 

Don't apologise, threads like this always bring out useful information!

Re: New immigration process
 

This is why I am confirming many things in Budapest and Szeged for example because there is so much inaccurate information with regards to staff not being given up-to-date information in Hungary; which then filters down to false information on the internet with regards to their own websites (lack of up-to-date information). The different departments do not talk to each other in other words.

Re: New immigration process
 

Hi all couple of questions!
a) Is the HU Bank requirement even if you own a property in HU
b) We are is VAS County ....which one is the correct department to apply?? I am in a very early stage to apply but decided to ask you anyway! thanks in advance

Re: New immigration process
 

Hi All,

Let me clarify this thread. My HU GF originally told me a true story from a Hungarian facebook page (see post 1). My HU GF, who worded the story to me in a cross-communication kind of way at first (hence my first post), retold the story that I now understand (see post 11). So to clarify everything I visited the immigration office in Budapest (and tax man and taj office) about two weeks ago. So the following are now the facts:

1) You do NOT need a HU bank account necessary, but.... (see note 4 below).

2) About the 3 months of money - (quote immigration officer) "You should be able to support yourself whilst in Hungary". So I then asked him "What if I buy a property and have 3 months worth of money in my bank account?". He smiled (in a way to say you are right but I cannot clarify that amount) and therefore replied "We would look at your application and see if that would be enough. If not, we would ask you to come back again". Obviously he and the immigration office in general cannot put specific figures forward, otherwise everyone would know what is accepted and application-guaranteed.

4 points here:

#1 - The original FB story clarifies that couple (the English man) needed to go back with 3 months worth of money to get his application processed.

#2 - I put £1,200 on my application in 2014 and had bought a property too, which was enough to secure my application - in fact I was discouraged from getting a residence permit even with these things in my favour. Plus I had my HU GF at my side in the interview. So on the day I suppose it is who interviews you that really matters....and a bit of luck.

#3 - In cases of denial due to lack of funds whereby you have to return, I would of thought some kind of marker is on your denied application (i.e. denied due to lack of support funds). In other words, lack of funds could hinder you IMHO, so why not have enough money in the first place (even if it just show money borrowed from friends).

#4 - IMHO a HU bank account shows more commitment and loyalty to Hungary in terms of you wanting to stay in Hungary and would be better for Hu employers if you are working in Hungary only. Plus the cost of transferring into a UK bank account for example, messing with IBAN and SWIFT codes, etc. Not worth the hassle.



msecchi

Depending on your exact address (if in doubt, contact them):

Contact details of the regional offices

Name:

Regional Directorate of Western Transdanubia (Győr)

Area of jurisdiction:


Győr-Moson-Sopron county, Vas county, Zala county

Profile:


Aliens policing, Asylum, Admission

Function:


Client service

Directorate:


Regional Directorate of Western Transdanubia

Address:


9026 Győr, Szövetség u. 15-17.

Phone:


All inquiries, 0-24hrs: +36 96 510 700; in office hours: +36 96 510 759

Fax:


as it shown below

Further info:


Fax:
All inquiries, 0-24hrs:+36 96 510 696,
Client Service +36 96 510 799

Processes:

Residency permits;
Invitation letters;
Permanent residency cases;
Report of accommodation;
National residency permits.

Clients:

Any foreigners having accommodation in the above mentioned counties.




Office hours:


For EEA Nationals and for Swiss Citizens:


For Third Country Nationals:

Hétfő


12.00-16.00


08.00-12.00

Kedd


No service


No service

szerda


08.00-12.00


12.00-16.00

Csütörtök


12.00-17.00


08.00-12.00

Péntek


No service


No service



How to get there: Bus Line 11, or by car.



Name:


Szombathely

Area of jurisdiction:


Vas county

Profile:


Aliens policing

Function:


Client service

Directorate:


Regional Directorate of Western Transdanubia

Address:


9700 Szombathely, Kisfaludy S. u. 1.

Phone:


+36 94 320 423

Fax:


+36 94 521 155

Further info:


Processes:

Residency permits;
Invitation letters;
Permanent residency cases;
Report of accommodation;
National residency permits.

Clients:

Any foreigners having accommodation in the above mentioned county.



Admission Unit' office hours:


All inquiries:

Monday


09.00-16.00

Tuesday


No service

Wednesday


09.00-16.00

Thursday


No service

Friday


No service



How to get there: Office can be approached from Király Street. It is located opposite of T-Com Store.

Re: New immigration process
 

Thanks so much!!!

Re: New immigration process
 

I was talking to my estate agent about this the other day, with regard to renting rather than buying somewhere to live. There are various options, including renting a flat, sharing a flat, sharing a room in a flat and being a lodger in a village house. She was saying that very few owners will let you use their address on a residency application because residents have more legal rights than non residents.

Re: New immigration process
 

That is because of Tax reasons and because it is not easy to evict someone; especially if they are a residence permit holder. And especially if their address is being used on a residency application!

Re: New immigration process
 

This thread is just another example of Hungarian's impossible to fathom bureaucratic system, but don't feel bad it is not aimed at us foreigners, the locals suffer just the same.


We recently received a letter from the local council to inform the householder that when placing bags of garden waste out for collection that an equal number of new bags would be left in return.
Of course it didn't happen.
When we went to the office we were informed that we still had to buy the bags despite showing them the letter!

Re: New immigration process
 

At the moment returning Hungarians, from the UK, are complaining about the TAJ office's lack of knowledge about the whole "Hungarians needing a TAJ card" and who should contact the HMRC!

If Hungarian to Hungarian cannot work it out between them, what hope has a "Foreigner" got who doesn't speak Hungarian and when they do have a Hungarian friend to help out, the officials still palm off that Hungarian friend by passing the buck.

God knows what will happen if all the Hungarians return home after Brexit:

Janos, you have to get a £200 tourist visa, go back to the UK, talk to HMRC, bring us their paperwork, and then we might give you a TAJ card :( This is on the assumption you will be allowed back into Hungary :fingerscrossed: But with no insurance.......!!

Re: New immigration process
 

Not sure if this link belongs here, if so mods please just do what you have to.

I went in to Zalaegerszeg today to apply for my residence permit. I sort of acted dumb which for me is very easy to do. No appointment, just a bag full of papers lol.

Anyway the chap I got to see was most understanding but could not help as I did not have 3 months worth of bank statement. I had actually forgotten this. It happens when you get old.
In a round about way he what he asked what did i do for a living? I advised that at the moment and for the foreseeable future, nothing. He looked at me as if to say WTF, why was I taking the P.

I explained my position to him and he checked through all the other paperwork, house ownership etc etc etc. I was then told that except for the bank statements it looked good, but when I come back I must not forget the "stamp" I reached into my wallet and pulled out the 1000 F stamp duty - thank you Szeged. Then I was advised that I should not just waltz into the place and that in fact I needed an appointment.

He gave me this website address: Residence in Hungary and advised that I needed to make an appointment there and that I should do so and come back "next week"

As you can see it has an English page as well. When I got home after first stopping at Lidl for beer - who can say no to a ice cold beer on days such as these! - I registered on that site and filled in what I had to and was given an appointment this Thursday. So not sure where his next week came into it.

It looks like the applicant gets the residency card there and then as I saw some people walking out with some or other cards in their hands.

If the website link has been given before, apologies. Its 5 pm now and I have only 1 really cold beer in the fridge so I need to go and find something else to do for an hour so that the others can get colder.

GBA

Re: New immigration process
 

I went to the office two weeks ago in Zalaegerszeg with all the correct documents and the guy there spoke fluent English as did his female colleague. I did not have an appointment but the office was empty….unfortunately, I had forgotten the postage stamp…which they do not sell in the office so it was a trip to the nearby post office. When I returned, the office was full including a group of Russians and a couple of Koreans and now only the female working there. Many of the people needed photographs doing and it took four hours until I could get seen….do not forget the postage stamp !!!
The pleasant female…very stressed by now….asked where my income on the bank statements was….I told her I was self employed and was often paid in cash…which she was happy with and issued my address card there and then.
It was actually a lot more straightforward than opening a bank account in Lenti…..where nobody speaks English…. !!

Re: New immigration process
 

Am I right in thinking that you can now get residency even though you work (live) in UK and get paid cash.

Re: New immigration process
 

Hobgodlins. You say they issued the address card there and there. Does the residence card come form somewhere else?

GBA

Re: New immigration process
 

GBA77 - The Residence Permit is issued on the spot, after a successful application of course. The immigration office then send your details (successful application paperwork) to another department for issue of an Address Card, which you receive in the post roughly two weeks later.

The two work hand-in-hand for certain occasions thereafter (such as setting up utility bills, working in Hungary, etc) and separately (such as getting a payg phone contract). In other words, sometimes you need to show both your Residence Permit and Address Card; possibly as proof of residency but sometimes you only need to show your Address Card.

ENTER - You need some sort of connection with Hungary (i.e. be a property owner in Hungary, an employee or even an employer) before they will issue a Residence Permit. Being married to a Hungarian also helps. You can for example be a property owner (the reason for being granted a Residence Permit in the first place), rent out the property later and not even live in Hungary anymore.

In general - You can, in Szeged for example, visit the immigration office without an appointment but this is not recommended purely because of the long queues and long waiting hours. When I was in the Budapest immigration office recently doing research I could of got a ticket (after explaining my fictional problem to a non-English speaking Hungarian receptionist!) and wait 3-4 hours for my ticket number to be called whereas with a time allocated appointment I would of been seen within 30 minutes maximum.

Re: New immigration process
 

It is a bit confusing ! I have my address card…which was issued there and then after showing the contract for the house purchase along with ownership documents and showing bank statements etc…but I am thinking that this is not the same as a residency card….but I'm not too sure - as the UK is still an EU country, for now at least, maybe an actual residency card is not needed ? Hopefully someone here will be able to explain wether I have just an address card or wether this is a residency card as well….if it's not a residency card, why ask for bank statements and proof of income?!

Re: New immigration process
 

The immigration office should of given you a green card (credit card size paper that is laminated) with NO name and address details on it. Just a Number on it. Two weeks later you should then receive an address card with your Name, Address, Mother's Maiden Name on it, etc.

Check your card and tell us what is written on it - a number only or address details on it.

Re: New immigration process
 

Hi Szeged,
It is a laminated card, light brown at the top that turns to green further down and has my name and address on it and a number in the bottom left corner - it also has on both sides "Regisztracios Igazolas" ! On the front of the card, this is in white on blue next to the EU flag with "H" in the centre of the stars…..

Re: New immigration process
 

It sounds like you are describing the Residence Permit which is a orange-ish (brown-ish) colour at the top and light lime (faded green) at the bottom with RA-Number in the left corner. Is your signature and nationality on it? If so, that is your Residence Permit (on the other side should be a BAH stamp and number).

The address card is pink, then red, then green with a Bar Code on one side and your mother's maiden name among other address details on the other side.

Re: New immigration process
 

Thank you Szeged - that is exactly the card I have ! There does not appear to be any expiry date on it either.
Does that mean I will have to do a separate application for the address card or will that be sent later to my home in Hungary?
I hope to be back there soon but can't stay there full time just yet as need to be working and need to build up a little business in Hungary to permanently stay there !

Re: New immigration process
 

No! Two weeks later you should of received your pink/red/green address card. It would of come by recorded delivery. If the postman could not deliver it to your HAND, he will NOT of put it in your letterbox. He would of left a recorded delivery card in your letterbox whereby you should of then gone to the sorting (collection) post office to sign for your delivery (address card).

If you got your residence permit but then left Hungary without collecting/signing for your address card, it will be return to the immigration department - Which means you will need to visit the immigration office again so they can chase up where your address card has been left.

BTW - The immigration office should of explained the two week process to you before you left their appointment/building.

Re: New immigration process
 

Thank you Szeged - looks like I had better come over and chase it up then !!

Re: New immigration process
 

Just returned from the immigration office.

The card just received is the registration card - as I understand matters. The card to be posted is the address card.

GBA

Re: New immigration process
 

Yes, that is its correct title, but I refer to it as a Residency Permit (or Residency Card) just because it entitles/permits the holder to reside in Hungary. In other words, I might REGISTER with a GP, but that wording just implies I have registered only (put my name and address etc on an application form) even though it then means you are entitled to NHS treatment. I think they should call it Permit or Residency something because it says more than just registered - You are now permitted to do something (i.e. live and work in Hungary). Anyway, at least the Address Card has a "proper" title!

Re: New immigration process
 

Ah!. Thanks.

The way you put it makes perfect sense.

GBA

Re: New immigration process
 

Need help! Presenting my application next week and I have all documents that have been mentioned in the posts.....only one questions...

"..... but when I come back I must not forget the "stamp" I reached into my wallet and pulled out the 1000 F stamp duty - thank you Szeged"

Where do I get it and how is it called in Hungarian??

Thanks!

Marco

Re: New immigration process
 

It is the Duty Stamp (illetékbélyeg) and is bought from any post office. You need to buy it BEFORE visiting the immigration office. They do not accept cash etc and cannot process (finalise) your application without it; regardless if your application is successful or not. So it is non-refundable!

Re: New immigration process
 

Thanks Szeged!!

Re: New immigration process
 

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all enjoying the summer!

Just to add something else into the mix here, I understand that after 5 years an EEA residence card holder can apply for Permanent Residence.

The immigration office states the following:

'The entry and stay of EEA nationals is governed by Act I of 2007 on the Admission and Residence of Persons with the Right of Free Movement and Residence, and in accordance with this Act, EEA nationals may receive a registration certificate, and/or a permanent residence card after 5 years of continuous residence in Hungary.'

I don't really understand what the difference is. Can anyone clarify?

Here is the link to the Immigration Office (in English) for anyone who is interested. http://www.bmbah.hu/index.php?lang=en

Many thanks