GENERAL VISA INFORMATION

BUDAPEST 2023

WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

General information for entering Hungary

 

Hungary joined the Schengen Area on December 21, 2007. From that time, visa, and residence permit issued by one of the Member States are valid also for Hungary, and visas/residence permits issued by Hungarian authorities are as a general rule also valid for the entire Schengen Area.

 

Holders of passports issued by the countries, entities or territories listed on the following website are granted visa-free travel to Hungary: https://konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu/en/visa-free-travel-hungary.

 

Participants who need a visa to enter Hungary have to submit their application for a Short Term (90 days) C-type Schengen Visa. 

 

Where to submit a visa application?

 

Schengen visa applications have to be submitted in person at the representation of Hungary, at the Hungarian Visa Application Centre or at the Consulate/Embassy representing Hungary on visa issuance in the country of the applicant.

 

Which of the Hungarian consulates are responsible for issuing visa?

 

• where the applicant resides legally and has a habitual residence 
(the applicant is a citizen of the esteemed country or holds a permit valid for a stay longer than 3 months – e.g., residence permit)
• the applicant does not have a habitual residence or right for long term stay but at the moment stays legally there and gave reasons for applying at that consulate. This is not a personal right; it depends on the consulate’s consideration and can only happen for an extremely good cause. The stay is legal if, according to the law of the third-countries, the applicant is entitled to stay within the consular district for a short stay (e.g. with a visa) or for a longer stay (e.g. with residence permit).

 

If there is no Hungarian Embassy or Consulate in the country where the applicant has his/her habitual residence, a Schengen Member State may represent Hungary regarding visa issuance, in the framework of a visa representation agreement. Visas are issued on behalf of Hungary by other Schengen Member States listed on the following website: https://konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu/en/list-third-countries-where-schengen-state-issues-visas-behalf-hungary.

 

Who can submit a visa application?

 

The application has to be submitted personally by the applicant, photo will be taken, and fingerprints will be collected at the Embassy or Consulate. 

 

Important information

 

Applications shall be lodged no more than six months before the start of the intended visit.

 

In general, the decision on the visa status will be made within 15 calendar days counting from the day of submission. However, we strongly recommend submitting the visa application as soon as the Official Invitational Letter is sent by the Local Organizing Committee and other supporting documents are ready (see below). 

 

The period of examining a visa application may be extended up to 45 calendar days. 

We remind that Embassies or Consulates do not take any responsibility for delayed submission and for therefore failed travels.

 

Documents needed upon visa application:

 

1. Completed Visa Application Form. Available in different languages at following website: https://konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu/en/visa-application-forms
2. Travel document with at least two empty pages. The passport has to be issued within the last 10 years. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen Area.
3. Travel medical insurance covering emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation. The minimum cover should be of 30.000 EUR. This insurance must be valid for the entire Schengen area and throughout the duration of the stay.
4. Official Invitation Letter sent by Local Organising Committee.
5. Flight / travel reservations or other proof of intended transport: Reservation(s) -Bus, Train, Plane, Vehicle, Ferry etc.- must include PNR (reservation number) or ticket number, name of the passenger(s) and travel dates. In case of travel to more than one country, city/country transfers must be shown in the application.
6. If not indicated in the invitation letter evidence of hotel booking. The reservation must include a confirmation number and the name of the passenger(s). Reservations without a name or reservation number will not be accepted.
7. Proof of means of subsistence: e.g., bank account statement on the account turnover during the last three months, and – proof of regular income e.g., salary slips of the last three months (or similar). For All Team Members the Member Federation’s bank statement would be sufficient.
8. Visa fee (80 EUR).

 

The following categories of the attendees should furthermore attach:

 

Athletes and Team Officials, International Technical Officials:

 

• Official visa invitation letter sent by LOC.
• Confirmation of their national federation on the participation at the event.
• Proof of previous sporting activity (e.g., membership in national federation, membership in sports club, membership fee paid for club/federation (several years), information/proof on attendance at major sport events during the past years).
• This category of participants should select “sport” as their purpose of travel on the visa application form. 

 

Teams with Minor (U18) Athletes:

 

• Minors shall submit an application form signed by a person exercising permanent or temporary parental authority or legal guardianship.
• Minors should be accompanied by their parent(s) or their proxy when applying for a visa.
• Legalized written consent letter from both parents if the child is travelling alone, or from the parent that is not accompanying the child when travelling should be attached. The letter should include the parent(s) telephone and e-mail contacts.

 

Additional documents that are usually required in case of minors are:

 

• Copy of birth certificate (and presenting the original).
• Copy of both parents’ ID-cards.
• If either one of the parents is absent or deceased, this must be supported by the information on the death certificate or a Court Order for the custody.
• If the legal guardian is someone else apart from the biological parent as stated in the birth certificate a custody order must be submitted proving the legal guardianship.

 

Broadcasters, Host Broadcasters, Press, Technical Suppliers:

 

• Official visa invitation letter sent by LOC.
• Letter of employment indicating who will bear the costs related to the trip.
• This category should select “other” as their purpose of travel on the visa application form.

 

Congress Participants:

 

• Official visa invitation letter sent by LOC.
• Certification issued by the delegating organization including who will bear the cost related to the trip. 
• This category should select “conference” as their purpose of travel on the visa application form.

 

World Athletics Family and Guests

 

• Official visa invitation letter sent by LOC.
• Travel itinerary.
• This category should select “tourism” as their purpose of travel on the visa application form.

 

International Volunteers 

• Official visa invitation letter sent by LOC.
• Letter of employment (LOC) indicating who will bear the costs related to the trip, work.
• This category should select “other” as their purpose of travel on the visa application form.

 

Please note:

 

• All submitted documents must be in English or in the language of the representing Member State.
• An interview may be required in person at the Embassy or by phone.
• Applicants may be asked to provide further information or documentary evidence in addition to the above guideline.