In this article I will explain you many details about the Hungarian residence permit for a Third-country national who reunites with another Third-country national family member who lives in Hungary. This residence permit is called family reunification residence permit in most countries as well as in Hungary. I will explain you the most important details such as to whom it applies, what type of family member could get it, the documents required, its validity and I will also give you some advise. Here is the first one, make sure you are very clear with all conditions and requirements and seek expert advise before submitting the application.
Hungarian family reunification residence permit
The name says it all, but I will explain even the most simple things to make it easy for you. This is a family reunification residence permit, but it does not apply to any type of family or relative. Another specific element of this permit is that it is for a third-country national to reunite with another third-country national family member who lives in Hungary and has a residence permit. Let me explain that with an example to make it even clearer. Let us imaginane a panamanian couple who lives in Panama, but the woman gets a job opportunity in Hungary and moves here. After she gets her residence permit, then he can request this family reunification residence permit. All in all, a third-country national reunites with another third-country national.
Eligibility for family reunification
The main condition for you to be eligible is for you to be able to provide evidence of the fact that you are family. You can be family, but if you cannot provide evidence, you will not be eligible for this process.
Another criteria is the type of relative you are, it is not any type of family. I already mentioned one type of family and that is marriage, so spouses are eligible, but only if officially married. Another type of family accepted is a descendant, meaning your children. Just to make it clear, girlfriends, boyfriends, brothers, sisters, cousins, fathers, mothers and grandparents are not eligible.
Important: if you plan to work once you are in Hungary, another application applies, do not submit this one.
Third-country nationals
As this term is the one used officially in the Hungarian inmigration´s office´s website, I need to explain what it means in this context. It does not have anything to do with the term third world country. Third-country national refers to an individual who is moving to a foreign country and is processing his or her papers to legally live or work in that foreign country. Another way of calling an individual on that particular situation is foreign national. In the European Union (and in Hungary as a member state) you are a third-country national. Individuals from any EU member state or from the Economic European Area (EEA national) are referred in the official website as EEA national. I am explaining all this to you because it will be helpful when you will be submitting your application. One thing though, the United Kingdom is no longer a member state of the European Union, neither of the EEA, thus UK citizens in this context are third-country nationals.
By the way, the Hungarian inmigration office is not called like that, I use that term to simplify the guide. Their official name is National Directorate for Aliens Policing.
Documents required for family reunification
As it is a family reunification residence permit, the most common ways to show evidence of the relation between 2 persons in this case are a marriage certificate or a birth certificate.
Additionally, you will also need to submit other documents. Documents which prove that you will be financially self-sufficient in Hungary. Documents which prove you have housing or accomodation and documents which prove you have health insurance coverage. Obviously the passport as well, I almost forgot.
Application process and processing period
The process starts after submitting the completed forms, the documents, a recent photograph and the administrative fee. The application can be submitted in any consulate or embassy of Hungary in your country. In case your application gets approved, your will be provided with a visa to enter Hungary and receive your permit. That temporary visa will be valid for only 30 days. There is also the option of submitting your application online while you are in Hungary but that is only if you are from a visa-free country. If you do that, you will need to go personally to the inmigration office 2 weeks after submitting the application for them to check your documents. In case you are applying in an embassy or consulate, make sure you contact them before submitting anything, because they might have country specific requirements.
They suppose to take 21 days to process the application, but I have seen it is not always the case. They can take much more time if you do not submit the correct documents or if the documents you submit do not comply with their standards, or in case they ask for additional documents.
Family reunification residence permit validity period
The validity period of your permit will depend primarily on the validity period of the residence permit of the person you are reuniting with. There will be another dependency and that will be the type of residence permit of the person you are reuniting with. Depending on the permit type it could be between 3 and 5 years.
Personal documents to live and work in Hungary
After getting the residence permit you are still not done, all in all, you will need 4 personal documents to live and work in Hungary along with your passport.
- The family reunification residence permit card
- Address card or in hungarian lakcímkártya
- Tax card or in hungarian adókártya
- Social security card or in hungarian TAJ kártya
Do you need help?
I can assist you in different ways!
Have a good day,
Renato
Immigration´s office website: Residence in Hungary (bmbah.hu)
