Current suspension of the processing of residence permit applications until February 29, 2024
Foreign non-EU citizens must expect delays when applying for a residence permit in Hungary if they are submitted on or after January 1, 2024. For applications submitted on or before December 31, 2023, the decision will be made in accordance with the previous law.
The Hungarian government has announced that most pending or new applications will not be processed between January 1, 2024 and February 29, 2024, in order to implement the changes in immigration law that came into force on January 1, 2024.
It is important to know that residence and settlement permits that expire during the closure period from January 1st to February 29th, 2024 will be automatically extended until April 30th, 2024.
Traveling outside Hungary should be avoided if possible, as it is unclear whether re-entry into Hungary or entry into other EU member states is possible.
During the closure period until February 29, 2024, the following applications in particular will be processed:
• biometric data for applications submitted electronically by December 31, 2023;
• Extensions of expiring certificates that authorize temporary residence;
• Applications from EEA citizens for a registration certificate or a permanent residence card and
• Applications from family members of European Economic Area (EEA) nationals for the issuance or extension of residence cards or permanent residence cards.
Among the key changes in the new laws is that there will be a separate category of work permits for Serbian and Ukrainian citizens. There will be significant restrictions for “unskilled” workers.
It is expected that the new law will allow “unskilled” workers to obtain an initial work permit lasting two years and additional extension will be limited to one additional year. The person must then leave the country. Permanent residence will not be possible. In addition, these employees are no longer allowed to bring family members with them to Hungary, which was previously permitted. Currently, “unskilled” workers hired locally and without higher education can use the combined permit procedure to extend their work permit indefinitely.
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