Since this country of Central Europe joined the Schengen Agreement in December 2007 , it became very accessible for citizens of the European Union. But for residents of more eastern states, new difficulties arose during registration of entry. Now, to soak up the baths of Budapest, sunbathe on Lake Balaton and look at the Pashta, you need to draw up the so-called “Schengen”. And the difficulties are by no means the cost of the coveted brand, but the collection of the necessary package of documents.
However, the current status of the country has its advantages: a Schengen visa to Hungary gives its holder the right to travel throughout Europe (with the exception of several countries). You have three options where to turn. The first is at the
Embassy of Hungary in Moscow, as well as at the Consulates of the republic located in St. Petersburg or Yekaterinburg. Pluses of this option: you act independently, without overpaying to intermediaries. Cons: you must first make an appointment in person on the website of the embassy / consulate, come there,
go through an interview. A visa to Hungary for Russians from the summer of 2014 can be opened through a special center in Moscow. The only negative of this option: additional costs (about $ 25-30) for intermediary services. The advantages are undeniably greater: the help of consultants in filling out questionnaires and in collecting a dossier package.
The third option is to seek help from various travel agencies. On the Internet you can see a lot of advertisements that promise to receive Schengen visas without having to be at the Embassy and even without signing a power of attorney. However, the prices for these services are “biting”. In addition, the result of such a transaction is unclear: it may very well be that you will not see either your passport or your money. A visa to Hungary costs 35 euros, and for urgent registration you will have to pay 70 euros.
Now about the main features of applying for an entry permit. The main condition for receiving it is a valid passport, the expiration date of which expires no later than three months from the date of your proposed departure from Hungary. Your travel document must have at least two blank pages. A tourist visa to Hungary can be of several types: with a single entry and multiple entry. These last are valid for a year, three and five years. You must indicate your preferred type of entry permit when filling out the questionnaire. The form can be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Embassy of the country.
What documents do you need to collect? A tourist visa to Hungary is issued when the applicant submits the following papers: passport (original and copy of the first page), a recent photograph taken 3.5 x 4 cm, a copy of the passport document (internal, that is, Russian - a page with personal data and place of registration) completely completed and personally signed application form. Also in the dossier you need to enclose the following papers: medical insurance, hotel reservations and round-trip tickets, and certificates confirming your financial independence.
It is with these latest documents that most of the difficulties arise. This can be a certificate of work about the amount of your salary for the past six months, as well as registering you as an emergency. But it can be an extract from your bank account (with a surplus, of course) or travel checks. A visa to Hungary can be issued to low-income residents of Russia, if they provide a "sponsorship letter" from the inviting party, certified by a notary.