Applying for a visa, especially to countries like the UK, can be quite intense and a little nerve-wracking. After four Tourist Visa applications made from two different countries, I’ve had one application denied and three successful ones. So, when it comes to feeling the pressure, I’ve been there. That’s why I created this simple guide to ease your visa application process, especially if you’ve been wondering how to apply for a UK visa from Hungary.
In this article, I’ll break down how to apply for a UK visa as a non-EU citizen living in the EU and also outside of the EU. Additionally, I’ll highlight a few good-to-knows, like visa types, their duration, and what to expect during your visa application.
But that’s not all. I’ll also share some important links that you’ll need as you apply for your UK visa. This article is only a guide to simply the process for you, and I highly recommend visiting the official websites included in this article when you’re ready to begin your application.
But first, let’s answer some questions you may have about applying for a UK visa from Hungary.
Can I apply for a UK visa from Hungary?
Yes! You can make your UK visa application from the TLScontact Visa Application Centre in Budapest. They charge £115 for their standard services and offer additional services such as Assisted Services, Keep my Passport and Flexi Appointments.
Can I travel to the UK with a Hungarian residence permit?
No, you cannot travel to the UK with a Hungarian residence permit only. Since the UK isn’t part of the Schengen region, you need to obtain a visa to visit, work or study in the UK.
Where can I travel with a Hungarian residence permit?
A Hungarian residence permit allows you to travel within the EU to all Schengen countries visa-free. Schengen countries you can visa include Austria, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
How to apply for a UK visa from Budapest, Hungary
1.1 Identify the type of visa you need
Your first step to applying for a visa to the UK starts with identifying what type of visa you need.
TLSContact is your official point of contact when it comes to getting a UK visa from Hungary.
On their website, you can see all the visa types and requirements. To make it easy for you, here’s a summary below.
What types of visas can I apply for?
- Standard Visitor Visa – valid for up to 6 months
- Marriage Visitor Visa – for when you want to get married or register a partnership in the UK
- Short-term Study Visa – ideal for students coming for 6-11 months
- Work Visa – if you want to work in the UK
- Innovator Founder Visa – if you want to set up a business in the UK
- Family Visa – if you’ve got a family you’d like to join in the UK
This article covers how to apply for a Standard Visitor or Tourist Visa for the UK as a non-EU citizen in Budapest. If you’d like to apply for any other visa type or are an EU citizen, the procedure is different for you, and it’s best to check the official website for your visa type. If at all you need one.
If you’ve got a Hungarian residence permit but aren’t a citizen, you’ll still need to make a visa application to visit the UK. To start the procedure, head to the GOV.UK official website and click on Standard Visit Visa.
1.2 Check the UK visa fees, visa eligibility, and requirements
This stage is basically a guide and a checklist. It will show you permitted activities in the UK and requirements for a Standard Visa, which include things like:
- leaving the UK after your visit,
- proving that you can support yourself while you’re in the UK
- and that you won’t permanently stay in the UK.
After these formalities, you can move to the next page of your application, which gives you all the details on application costs in pounds.
Keep in mind that in addition to this standard fee, you’ll have to pay another fee for accessing the TLS Contact office, where your passport and biometrics will be collected.
1.3 Hit ‘Apply Now’ Button
It’s time to apply for your UK visa!
This part of the application can be nerve-wracking, but don’t worry, just take your time. You can return to your application at any moment through the link that will be sent to your email address.
1.4 How to apply for a UK visa online
FILLING IN YOUR APPLICATION FORM
Questions you can expect to find in the UK visa application form for those applying from Hungary (and anywhere else) include:
- Personal details like your name, address, occupancy, and finances.
- Your intention for visiting the UK
- Your occupational history, previous addresses
- Additional information about your trip, such as if you’re visiting family. If you are, you’ll need their details
- Your travel history
- Family details such as one of your parent’s details
1.5 How much is a UK visa?
PAYING FOR YOUR UK VISA APPLICATION
Once you’ve filled in your UK visa application form, the next thing you’ll need to do is pay for your visa. If you’re applying for a Standard Visitor visa for six months, you’ll pay a fee of £115.
You’ll then be redirected to a page where you can book your visa appointment. The TLScontact office in Budapest offers UK visa appointments on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. With a Flexi Appointment, however, you can go whenever suits you.
Once you’ve paid, you’ll get a unique GWF Number, which you’ll need for the next stage of your application.
For more information on UK visa appointment types and times, visit TLScontact’s Service page.
2. Choose additional services
BOOKING YOUR APPOINTMENT
Once you’ve gotten your GWF number, you’ll be redirected to TLScontct’s main website. Here, you’ll make an appointment to submit your biometrics and supporting documents. You’ll also have to pay a standard fee to use these services. This amount will be around £76.50.
If you want additional services like going to appointments during other hours, keeping your passport during your application, etc, this will pay for those additional services at this stage.
SUBMITTING YOUR DOCUMENTS
When it comes to submitting your supporting documents, you have two options:
- Submit your documents online (free)
- Get your documents scanned and uploaded for you by an agent at TLScontact (paid service)
I’ve always opted for the free service because it’s super easy to do if you already have all your documents scanned. If you don’t, this option is still cheaper than having an agent submit your documents for you.
Once you have your GWF Number and logged into your TLScontact, you’ll be able to see when your appointment is, whether or not you’ve submitted your documents and additional services, if you chose any.
Next, to upload your documents, simply select the document type through the drop-down option and drag and drop your document.
You’ll have a chance to review all your selected documents before you submit them. Be sure to double-check your documents because you won’t be able to change them once you’ve submitted them.
Take your time, and double-check as much as you need to. Most of all, relax; you’ve got this.
3. Go to your appointment
Once you’ve submitted your documents, it’s time to chill. You’ll have an email regarding your application sent to you so you don’t miss your application.
Before your appointment comes, you’ll need to print the first page of your application and take this with you. TLScontact also advises printing your checklist (one will be created for you), a copy of your appointment confirmation email, and your passport.
In my case, the agent only asked for the first page of my application and my passport.
So, here’s what I would do and not do when attending my UK application.
DO’s
- Show up 10/15 minutes early
- Look presentable (keep it simple and cute)
- Take your passport…DUH
- Have a copy of the first page of your application
- Take original documents and copies if you haven’t uploaded our documents and you chose Assisted Services
- Relax
DONT’s
- Print out all your documents when you’ve already applied them
- Forget your passport
- Show up late
4. Attending your appointment
Address: RM2 Business Center kft., 1137 Budapest, Radnóti Miklós utca 2, floor 1.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- When you show up to your appointment, you’ll be welcomed to the waiting room where you’re going to…wait.An agent will ask you to fill in a PASSPORT DELIVERY form. This is where your passport will be sent, so make sure to fill in the correct details.
2. The agent will then ask for your passport and the first page of your application form (if you’ve already submitted your supporting documents).
3. When it’s time to provide your biometrics, the agent will invite you into the room. Here, your picture will be taken, and your fingerprints collected. The agent will give simple instructions for these two procedures, and it should be done in 5-10 minutes.
4. Once that’s done, that’s it! All you’ve got to do next is wait for your application to be reviewed.
Depending on when you apply, it may take about two weeks to get a response. If you’d like to speed up this process, check out the additional services page!
Everything you need to know is on TLScontact and GOV.UK.
RECOMMENDED:
Once you’ve got your visa and it’s time to start planning for your trip, you may find it helpful to read travel blogs and itineraries. I’ve created a few UK travel guides for Bath and Bristol in case that’s where you’re headed.
Enjoy your trip!
