From the Golden Gate to the Time Square, the US has become a hub for tourists and businessmen. The country is known for fun and glamour. Therefore, thousands of Hungarian citizens travel to the United States of America for both business and pleasure.
However, the real question is, do Hungarians need a US visa to enter the country? Well, the short answer is, NO! Keep on reading to find out everything a Hungarian nationality holder needs to know about visiting the United States of America.
What is US ESTA?
Recently, the US government started the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), enabling some countries to enjoy the visa exemption. Fortunately, Hungary is also a part of the Visa Waiver Program. As a result, Hungarian citizens can enter the United States of America without a visa.
That being said, travelers do require an ESTA - an Electronic System for Travel Authorization. An ESTA is the same as an e-visa. It is a travel document designed to allow visitors to enter the country without a traditional visa. You don’t have to visit the US embassy to get an ESTA. You can apply for it online.
How to Apply for an ESTA?
An ESTA is a multiple-entry document that comes with a validity period of 2 years. It allows an applicant to stay in the United States of America for 90 days without a valid visa. Applying for an ESTA is quite a straightforward process. All you need to do is follow 3 simple steps:
Fill out the ESTA application form
Pay the visa fee
Submit your application
That's it! No more visiting the US embassy. No more scheduling a visa interview. You can complete the entire process within minutes.
Required Documents
ESTA is becoming more and more popular because of the convenience this document offers. You don’t need to fulfill a complete list of visa requirements. There are a handful of documents required to apply for an ESTA, including:
A valid passport
An email address
A debit or credit card
To fill out the application form, you'll need to provide personal, contact, and travel details. Also, you might have to answer some health and security-related questions. Your answer will be pre-screened by the Department of Homeland Security. Once approved, ESTA will be emailed to you at your provided e-mail address. On average, you'll get an ESTA within 3-4 working days.
How to Get US Visa From Hungary
Holders of valid Hungarian passports with criminal history won't be able to get an ESTA. Moreover, ESTA only allows you to stay in the country for 90 days. So, if you need to stay in the country for a longer period of time, you must apply for a traditional visa.
The United States of America offers different types of non immigrant visas for different purposes. For tourism and business, you are required to apply for:
B-1 Visa - B-1 visa classification is for business purposes. You can apply for this visa for professional and commercial activities. It allows you to attend business meetings, meet with business associates, and enroll in the training program.
B-2 Visa - B-2 visa is perfect for those Hungarian citizens intending to visit the US for tourism. You can get this visa to spend your vacation in the US or visit a friend or relative.
Both B-1 and B-2 visas are multiple-entry travel documents. They come with a validity period of 10 years and allow visa applicants to stay in the country for 180 days.
Required Documents
Unlike an ESTA, a Hungarian citizen must visit the US embassy in Budapest to apply for a traditional visa. Fortunately, you can partner up with VisaHQ. You can submit the following documents, and we'll do all the work.
Visa Applicant Form
Original Passport
Recent Passport Photograph
Passport Copy
Hungarian citizenship
Proof of Status
Personal Invitation
Employment Letter
Criminal History
Keep in mind that VisaHQ can only apply for your traditional visa and arrange a visa appointment. Afterward, you'll have to visit the US embassy to attend your interview with a consular officer.
US Embassy in Hungary
If you are applying for an ESTA, you don’t have to visit the US embassy. Fortunately, the entire process is streamlined. You'll fill out the application, answer security questions, pay the ESTA fee, and submit the application on your own. You don’t even have to worry about scheduling a visa interview.
Alternatively, if you are not eligible for an ESTA or want to stay in the United States of America for a longer period of time, you must apply for a traditional visa. VisaHQ can only help you with your application process. Afterward, you'll have to attend the interview at the nearest US mission.
The US Embassy Address
Szabadság tér 12, 1054 Budapest
Hungary