Hungary Business Visa

A hotel booking that costs you nothing to cancel is not a booking

Hungary's business checklist contains a sentence you will not find on another Schengen list: "Reservation of accommodation is accepted provided that you paid a deposit or have to pay a cancellation fee."

A free-cancellation reservation is, on Hungary's wording, not enough. Book a rate that takes a deposit, or one with a cancellation charge, and keep the confirmation showing it. And note the second half of the rule: proof of prearranged accommodation has to be presented even if it is arranged or covered by the Hungarian business partner. If they are hosting you at a company flat or paying the hotel, get that in writing with the booking attached.

Two documents for one relationship

Hungary asks the business relationship to be shown twice:

1. a letter of invitation from the Hungarian business partner, signed and stamped by an authorised person of the business entity;
2. evidence of the actual business relations in a letter of reference from the Hungarian or the Indian company.

The invitation says you are coming. The reference letter says why that makes sense — how long the companies have dealt with each other, in what, and on what scale. We draft it with figures the company is comfortable stating, and attach a recent invoice or order where one exists.

The Indian company is examined too

Hungary asks a good deal of the employer:

• detailed bank statement of the company for three months — as well as yours;
• the company's GST declarations for the last two years;
• ITRs for the last three years — the applicant's and the Indian company's.

For a proprietor or partner this is straightforward. For an employee of a larger firm it means a request to finance and legal, which takes time. Raise it as soon as the trip is approved.

Originals, at the window

Original documents must be presented during the personal interview with the visa officer. Bring every original you have submitted in copy, and be ready to describe the business and your role in it plainly.

Source: Hungary — Business checklist (New Delhi), as issued through VFS Global and held in our knowledge base. Requirements change; confirm against the current checklist before you submit.