Hungary is one of the Schengen area countries which handle jointly their immigration policy and procedure. The set of Schengen countries does not equal to the set of countries of the European Union: there is a non-empty intersection but neither contains the other. For a full list of Schengen countries see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area#Current.
The borders between Schengen countries are open, therefore once you enter any of these countries, you are free to travel within the Schengen region and any of these countries are entitled to issue the so-called Schengen visa (entry permit). This is exactly why getting a Schengen visa is so much controlled and therefore difficult (just like it may involve a lot of paperwork for non-US citizens to enter the US).
A key fact is that as a summer student you will be spending less than 90 days in Hungary/the Schengen region. Therefore
I. Citizens of the US, Canada and other eligible countries that have a visa-waiver agreement with the Schengen zone do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days if they travel as tourists.
For a full list of such countries see http://konzuliszolgalat.kormany.hu/visa-waiver-agreements
Thus these citizens can come to Hungary for the Summer BSM program without a visa.
However be prepared when asked by an Immigration Officer at a Schengen border to
present your ticket out of the zone issued for a date that is less than 90 days away;
provide information on means of support;
provide a local address in Hungary for which use "Budapest Semesters in Mathematics, Bethlen Gabor ter 2, Budapest, 1071 Hungary". (BSM will organize lodging for you, however since your address may change the last minute, please use the address given here.)
provide proof of medical insurance.
In addition, as with all international travel, make sure your passport is valid at least 3 months after your intended return.
II. Citizens of other countries.
You must obtain a C type (short term stay; "tourist"; Schengen) visa at a Hungarian Consulate. The information below is tailored to BSM students and is based on general information given by the Hungarian Consulate in Los Angeles https://losangeles.mfa.gov.hu/eng/page/visa-for-stays-up-to-90-days
You can start the visa process by submitting your application at a Hungarian consulate, up to 90 days prior your departure for Hungary and we advise that you start as early as possible as getting a visa may be a lengthy process. Even if you are outside the 90 days "window", you can and should ask for an appointment at a Hungarian consulate now.
Things to keep in mind:
all applicants have to apply in person at a Hungarian consulate, as they will be fingerprinted.
you have a choice of applying in the US or at home
If you are applying in the US: it is divided into consular districts as shown by this link: https://newyork.mfa.gov.hu/eng/page/consular-districts and you should apply at the consulate according to where you reside, where your homeschool is.
It normally takes up to 15-30 days to get a C visa, however in rare instances, especially if additional documentation is needed, it may take up to 50-60 days. (If your visa process is getting too slow let us know and we will try to expedite the process.)
Once again, get an appointment for a visa interview from your appropriate Hungarian consulate as soon as possible (now!) as there may be a long wait period for an appointment.
For several consulates you can use the following link to get your appointment:
https://konzinfoidopont.mfa.gov.hu/
(Once you make the appointment, make sure to send an email to the consulate as well, to double-check the appointment.)
Note that, some consulates have a different way of giving appointments - check their website
E.g. the Los Angeles one requires you to email them: https://losangeles.mfa.gov.hu/eng/page/general-visa-information
Email which consulate you will be applying for the visa at as well as your appointment date as soon as you get it to Agnes Szilard at agnes.szilard@budapestsemesters.com, as BSM has to provide letters of support for you.
a properly filled our visa application form (downloadable from the consulates web page at https://konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu/sites/default/files/inline-files/ENvizumkerdoiv20240628_0.pdff,
Note that for legal resons (as BSM is not a Hungarian educational institution) on line 23 of the visa application "other" should be marked and state: "participate in the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics program"
For more important info on filling out the form scroll through here.
a photo of yourself (1 passport-size color photo not older than 6 months)
your passport VALID FOR AT LEAST 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF YOUR RETURN FLIGHT FROM Budapest
you will have to pay approximately 80 USD visa process fee (cash or money order) (or the negotiated fees for Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine: 47 USD).- DOUBLECHECK WITH THE CONSULATE that these fees are still current!
non-US, Canadian citizens: proof of legal US status (eg visa, green card etc) -- if you are applying in the US
your purchased or reserved air ticket
proof of travel insurance for the period you stay in Hungary (providing cover for at least $ 50.000 during your stay in Europe for any medical and evacuation expenses)
proof of financial resources (like a bank statement)
As part of the supporting documents for your visa application you will need the acceptance documents you have got from the BSM American office as well as two additional letters issued by the Budapest office of BSM , which are:
* proof of accommodation and
* a Hungarian acceptance letter.
Our letters will take care of the "official invitation/enrollment" and the housing requirement for the visa applications. The two letters will be sent to you in due time, by email.
Once approved, your visa sticker is placed in your passport and the passport mailed back to you, if you leave your passport at the consulate (this is the usual procedure in the US). Alternatively, you can mail in your passport once your visa is ready and get it mailed back with the visa in it OR return for your visa stamp in person.
Send an email to agnes.szilard@budapestsemesters.com, if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a zoom meeting.