Hungary: Immigration Processes Moved Online

European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and non-EEA family members must now submit applications for registration certificates, residence cards and permanent residence cards online at Enterhungary.hu, whereas previously submission was completed in person. Though EEA nationals are no longer required to visit the immigration office, non-EEA family members are still required to do so. Approved registration certificates for affected individuals will be issued via mail to the employer, whereas previously they were handed to the applicant at the immigration office. Additionally, third-country nationals must also submit initial and renewal applications online for national permanent residence permits and EU permanent residence permits, as well as renewal residence permit applications. Residence permit extension applications must be submitted at least 30 days before permit expiry; however, Fragomen advises submission at least 45 days prior, or 90-110 days to avoid the temporary residence permit application process, which currently has extended processing delays. Lastly, there is a new address registration form for third-country nationals, which can be submitted online (during application submission), whereas previously this was completed in person and a separate case needed to be manually filed. Lastly, invitation letters issued by the immigration office will not be accepted; Hungarian consulates will only accept invitation letters issued by a host company/person.