Conditions
Residence permit for the purpose of scientific research can be issued to a non-EU national who:
- intends to stay and carry out scientific research in Hungary on the basis of a hosting agreement concluded with a scientific organisation approved in accordance with the relevant national procedure, and
- has a written undertaking of the research organisation that in case the stay of the researcher exceeds the duration of his/her residence permit - provided the researcher has no sufficient financial means - the organisation will cover all costs incurred with the return of the researcher.
A residence permit for official duty may be issued to those wishing to stay in the territory of Hungary:
- for the purpose of study, educational or scientific activities, training or advanced training carried out within the framework of an international contract, international cultural, educational or scientific cooperation, or an intergovernmental aid programme;
- as a member of the staff of scientific, educational or cultural institutions operating in Hungary within the framework of an international contract, or as a person participating in the activities of these institutions.
If the study, technical training or technical advanced training, carried out in a higher educational institution, or if the scientific research takes place outside the framework of an international contract or cooperation, foreign students may apply for a residence permit issued for the purpose of pursuing studies or carrying out research activity, or another type of residence permit.
Procedures
| Where and how to apply | Except as provided for by law, an application for residence permit may be submitted to any consulate officer of Hungary, or at any other place authorised to accept applications for residence permit located in the country where the applicant’s permanent or temporary residence is located, or in the country of the applicant’s nationality. Third-country nationals may apply for an entry visa for receiving a residence permit before admission to the country in the application for residence permit, without having to lodge a separate application. If the decision of the regional directorate is in favour of the application for residence permit, it shall constitute approval for the issue of an entry visa for receiving a residence permit, of which the competent consulate officer shall be notified. The entry visa for receiving a residence permit shall be issued by the competent consulate officer based on the regional directorate’s decision. Moreover, please note that D visas for entitlement to receive a residence permit issued to third-country nationals are single-entry visas authorising a stay of not more than 30 days, therefore we recommend to visit the regional directorate of the immigration authority responsible for the place where their future accommodation is located as soon as possible after entering Hungary in order to receive the residence permit and register such Hungarian accommodation. Apart from the submission of applications for residence permit at Hungarian diplomatic mission as a general rule, Hungarian law also provides for the possibility of submitting such applications in Hungary as well. Third-country nationals residing in the territory of Hungary may submit an application for residence permit at the regional directorate responsible for the place where the place of accommodation of the third-country national is located if the purpose of stay exceeding ninety days within a one hundred and eighty day period is research. You can find the competent regional directorate on the website of the immigration authority. As of 1 January 2019, natural person clients or their authorised legal representatives may submit an application for a residence permit (issue or extension) electronically via Enter Hungary. Applications for the issue or extension of residence permit for the purpose of research are examined by the competent authority within the framework of a single application procedure. In the single application procedure the regional directorate shall issue the single permit without contacting the government agency responsible for the place of employment, as specialist authority, if other statutory provisions are satisfied and if the third-country national:
Please, click here to access detailed information on the single application procedure. Fee If the application is submitted at a diplomatic or consular mission, the administrative service fee charged for the procedure for issuing a residence permit is EUR 60, payable at that diplomatic or consular mission primarily in EUR or other convertible currency, or in exceptional cases in the legal tender of the State where the application is submitted. The administrative service fee charged for the procedure is HUF 18,000 if submitted in Hungary. The fee charged for the extension of a residence permit is HUF 10,000. |
| Documents required | When submitting the application for a residence permit for the purpose of research:
You have to present sufficient funds for maintenance during the stay in Hungary which also cover the return journey. |
| Further requirements | You cannot be subject to an entry ban or an alert in the Schengen Information System for the purposes of refusing entry, nor can your entry and stay threaten public policy, public health or public security in Hungary. |
| Duration of validity of permits | The validity of a residence permit issued for the purpose of scientific research: The validity period for a residence permit for the purposes of research is minimum one and maximum five years, if the validity period of the hosting agreement is less than one year it shall correspond to the validity period of the hosting agreement. The validity period of the residence permit shall be set in consideration of the date of expiry of the passport. Where the purpose of residence of a third-country national is research, the validity period of his/her travel document need to cover only the authorised duration of residence. |
| Conditions for renewal | The application for extension of the residence permit shall be submitted in person at the regional directorate of the immigration authority responsible for the place where the place of accommodation is located 30 days before it expires at the latest, with the necessary documents attached. As of 1 January 2019, natural person clients or their authorised legal representatives may submit an application for a residence permit (issue or extension) electronically via Enter Hungary. The validity period of a residence permit for the purpose of research may be extended by a period corresponding to the duration of the hosting agreement, not exceeding two years at a time. Applications for the extension of residence permit for the purpose of research are examined by the competent authority within the framework of a single application procedure. |
| Appeals | Appeals against decisions of regional directorates regarding residence permits can be brought before the immigration authority. |
| Further information | More information on Residence Permit for the Purpose of Research |
Rights
| Employment during research | In Hungary, the period during which teaching activity can be carried out by a non-EU national holding a residence permit for the purpose of scientific research cannot exceed one fifth of the period of time of the research work. |
| Stay and employment after research | After finishing the research activity, you can apply for a Residence Permit for the Purpose of Job-searching or Entrepreneurship, if you are in possession of a valid residence permit for the purpose of research and you are able to prove the completion of the research activity, if the employment you are seeking or the business you are in the process of setting up corresponds to research completed. More information on Residence Permit for the Purpose of Job-searching or Entrepreneurship |
| Change of status | Change of status may be possible depending on the purpose of stay and your personal circumstances. |
| Family members | A residence permit for the purpose of family reunification may be issued to a third-country national who is a family member of a third-country national in possession of a residence permit. |
Mobility
| Short-term mobility | You have to submit a notification for short-term mobility for the purpose of research at the regional directorate of the immigration authority responsible for the place where your future Hungarian accommodation is located, or to the competent consulate officer of the country where your permanent or temporary residence is located or in the country of your nationality. Submission of the short-term mobility notification of researchers is free of charge. The regional directorate shall adopt a decision on the issue of a short-term mobility certificate for the purpose of research within 30 days after receiving the complete notification. The competent immigration authority shall deliver the short-term mobility certificate by post. You may collect the document at the competent immigration authority in person if you are able to prove that you are not in a position to receive the certificate at the mailing address given. In case of objection to the mobility by the authority, it may be appealed at the authority of first instance within 8 days. The short-term mobility certificate for the purpose of research constitutes entitlement to stay in Hungary for 180 days in any 360-day period. The validity period of the certificate is determined so that it will not exceed the validity period of your researcher’s residence permit issued by the first Member State. More information on short-term mobility certificate of researchers |
| Long-term mobility | The application for a long-term mobility residence permit for the purpose of research shall be submitted at the regional directorate of the immigration authority responsible for the place where your future Hungarian accommodation is located, or to the competent consulate officer of the country where your permanent or temporary residence is located or in the country of your nationality. The fee for the evaluation of the application is EUR 60, payable at the diplomatic mission of Hungary primarily in EUR or other convertible currency, or in exceptional cases in the legal tender of the State where the application is submitted. The administrative service fee charged for the procedure is HUF 18,000 if submitted in Hungary. In the proceedings for the issue of a long-term mobility residence permit for the purpose of research, the regional directorate shall adopt a decision on the merits within 60 days from the date of submission. The competent immigration authority shall deliver the document evidencing the right of residence to you by post. You may collect the document at the competent immigration authority in person if you are able to prove that you are not in a position to receive the document evidencing the right of residence at the mailing address given. In case of refusal, the decision may be appealed at the authority of first instance within 8 days. A long-term mobility residence permit for the purpose of research may be issued for a period of 365 days, and for your family member for a period of 360 days. The validity period of a residence permit is determined so that it will not exceed the validity period of your researcher’s residence permit issued by the first Member State. |