First Entry to Hungary

Last modified: 04. February 2026

If you are subject to visa:
To travel to Hungary, your application for your visa is automatically an application for your residence permit at the same time.

After arrival in Hungary, students do not need to visit the Immigration Office in person but come to the International Relations Coordinator of their campus to collect their residence permit. It is delivered to the central address of MATE University. No documents but a confirming signature is needed upon the receipt of your residence permit.

Documents needed at the embassy / consulate for visa application and the issual of your first residence permit:

• Passport
• One of the documents proving your address in Hungary (1) Reservation confirmation issued by the dormitory coordinator OR (2) Lease contract signed by the landlord/agent of the flat you rent
• Passport-size photo
• Letter of Award form TPF or the Ministry, OR Certificate of Scholarship (Erasmus)
• Letter of Acceptance from MATE
• Proof of insurance coverage - for Ministry scholarship holders, the Letter of Award replaces this document

If you are not subject to visa:
To legally reside in Hungary for more than 90 days, you have to start a case online at Enter Hungary website to apply for a residence permit within 90 days after your arrival, and visit the Immigration Office within 15 days after you submitted your documents online.
It is recommended to start the procedure as soon as possible. Contact your International Coordinator for details of a MATE appointment at the Immigration Office. Later, your coordinator receives your residence permit by post and informs you about the arrival of your permit immediately. The process takes two months.
You can accelerate this process by applying for your residence permit at the Hungarian Embassy of your home country before arrival. The detailed process of an application for a residence permit for study purposes can be found on the website of the Immigration Office.

Documents to be submitted online:
- Application form also downloadable from the website of the Immigration Office. During the process, it is to be filled in electronically.
- 1 passport-size photo
- Reservation confirmation – from the international coordinator of the dormitory, or your lease contract from the landlord / agent you rent your flat from
- a form to report your accommodation - this is generated by the system upon subission. Upload it after collecting the signatures on it as "other document".
- full copy of your passport including all pages
- Letter of Acceptance/Admission (sent by MATE via e-mail or post)
- Student status certificate (in Hungarian) – from MATE (Registrar’s Office)
If you are a scholarship holder:
- Letter of Award for SH, Diaspora programs from Tempus Public Fund, SCYP from Hungary Helps Agency, FAO from The Ministry of Agriculture) OR Certificate of Scholarship from any of the Erasmus Programs
If you are a self-financing student:
- bank statement proving that you have enough money to live in Hungary
- health insurance policy bond