While one key permit category has effectively closed to new applicants, foreign workers can still legally enter the country under alternative visa routes. However, these remaining avenues involve significantly stricter requirements and longer processing times.
The core policy change
The Hungarian government has ended an expedited recruitment process previously used by staffing agencies to hire workers from the Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia. According to government spokesperson Vanda Szondi, these new rules took effect last Friday, as reported by Reuters.
While officials have framed the move as a broad crackdown, the regulation strictly targets the residence permit for guest workers.
Crucially, it does not affect the residence permit for the purpose of employment. This alternative route remains fully available. Furthermore, the new rules do not impact foreign workers already living and working in Hungary under existing guest worker permits, who remain eligible to apply for extensions.
