The Corner offers guidance to Hungarian citizens interested in traveling to the US for study, work, or as tourists. Below you can find guidelines concerning Visa requirements, including the Visa waiver program. For more information contact the Corner.
Travel on the Visa Waiver Program
Beginning November 17, 2008, Hungarian citizens intending to visit the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days are eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if all the following requirements apply:
The traveler is in possession of a valid Hungarian e-passport with an electronic chip. The Hungarian e-passport has a reddish cover, while the older non-electronic passport covers are blue. Travelers with the blue passports and valid visa may continue to travel.
The traveler is holding a return or onward ticket to his or her country of residence. If traveling on an electronic ticket, a copy of the itinerary must be carried for presentation to U.S. immigration at the port of entry.
The traveler has a valid authorization from the Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) website. Please print your authorization and carry it with you when you travel. Note: A Hungarian translation of the ESTA website is already available.
Important reminder:
Visa-free travel does not include those who plan to study, work or remain more than 90 days in the United States. Such travelers need visas. If an immigration official has reason to believe that a VWP traveler is going to study, work or stay longer than 90 days, the officer will refuse to admit the traveler.
Student Visas
Please note: If the primary purpose of your travel is study, you cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Program. You must apply for a student (F1 or M1) visa. Please schedule a visa interview to submit your application.
To study in the U.S. in an academic or vocational institution, applicants must first be certified as potential U.S. students before submitting their applications for visas. The required document is form I-20. It is issued by a school or institution that has been approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and sent directly to the prospective student.
Furthermore, the student applicant must be registered by the school in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The student submits the form with a completed DS-156 visa application to the Embassy for consideration. More information about SEVIS and student visas can be found on the Student Visas page of the U.S. Department of State.
Academic (F-1) Visa
A student wishing to attend a university or other academic institution in the United States, including primary and secondary schools, or a language training program requires an F-1 visa.
Students are prohibited from attending public elementary and middle school (grades K through 8, approximately ages 5 to 14) and publicly funded adult education programs such as foreign language classes. Students applying for F-1 visas to attend public secondary schools (grades 9 through 12, approximately ages 14 to 18) are limited to a maximum of 12 months of public high school in F-1 status and must show proof that payment has been made for the full, unsubsidized cost of the education before a visa can be processed.
Students attending private elementary and secondary schools are not affected by this ruling.
Vocational (M-1) Visa
A student wishing to pursue a course of study which is not principally academic in nature at an established vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution such as a post secondary vocational or business school requires an M-1 visa.
