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.
Please check whether you are eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program: VWP checklist (pdf)
Introduction of a Fee for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
On August 6, 2010, the United States Customs and Border Protection agency announced the implementation of a $14 fee beginning September 8 for applications made through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This fee is based upon the costs incurred for administering the system and as established by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009. This fee affects all travelers visiting the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Travelers in possession of a United States visa or already with an approved ESTA will not need to pay a fee, however, they will be subject to the fee when applying for a new ESTA.
ESTA authorization is good for two years.The United State Embassy in Budapest would like to remind all travelers that completion of an ESTA is required for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. We recommend that the ESTA be completed at least 72 hours prior to travel. The application for the ESTA can be found on the Embassy’s website at http://hungary.usembassy.gov/. This is the only official site for obtaining an ESTA. Payment of the $14 fee by credit card will be built into the application process by September 8.
All third-party services offering to facilitate completion of the ESTA are not affiliated with the U.S. Embassy and have no influence on the ESTA approval or processing time. We advise travelers to exercise caution and to scrutinize the services provided before using any third-party service.
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.
