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What is the ICT permit?
Those arriving in Hungary for long-term employment (more than 90 days) must have the appropriate permit to start the employment relationship. One form of this is the ICT permit, i.e. residence permit for intra-corporate transfer.
The ICT permit is a special type of permit specifically for highly qualified workers and applies for intra-group secondments.
The permit type is one of the types of permits subject to the single permit procedure, which provides the right to reside and work at the same time.
Who can apply for the ICT permit?
The ICT permit can be applied for by non-EEA nationals who:
- have a high level of education, and
- are employed by a company outside the EEA, and
- they are temporarily sent by their employer to work in a Hungarian company within the same group of companies, and
- work in highly competent, managerial, expert or trainee positions.
For which employment cases can the ICT permit be applied?
An intra-corporate transfer residence permit (ICT) can only be applied for in the case of intra-group secondment.
The most important criteria for secondment are:
- the employee is bound by an employment contract for the entire duration of the secondment to the sending company, which is a company outside the EEA
- the employee has been employed by the seconding company for at least 3 months prior to the secondment
- the holder of employer’s rights is the sending company
- the employee receives his salary from the seconding company
- social security and contributions remain in the sending country
Workforce leasing is not permitted.
What does an ICT permit entitle to?
The ICT permit entitles you to work at a specific employer, place of work and position, as well as to stay in Hungary during the validity period of the permit.
How long is the ICT permit valid for?
With the ICT permit, the maximum stay in Hungary is up to 3 years for managerial and expert employees, and up to 1 year for trainee employees. The validity of the permit issued shall be determined by the Authority based on the planned length of employment. The ICT permit may be renewed domestically up to the maximum length of stay.
After 1-3 years, the ICT permit cannot be renewed domestically.
In addition, the validity of the permit is also affected by the applicant’s passport: the validity of the ICT permit must be determined so that the passport remains valid for at least three months after the expiry of the permit.
When considering the application for a permit, the authority is entitled to limit the permit to a shorter period than the requested time, if it considers it justified based on any circumstances (e.g. health insurance, housing).
Situation of family members
Family members can also join the holder of the ICT permit in Hungary, and the authority issues them a residence permit for family reunification purposes based on the employee’s (the family’s supporter) ICT permit.
In Hungary, a family member of the holder of an ICT permit can only work with a valid work permit.
Special requirements for applying for an ICT permit
When applying for an ICT permit, the job defined by the employer must comply with the legal requirements in every detail:
- The ICT permit can only be applied for in manager, expert or trainee positions
- The employee must have a high level of professional qualifications relevant to the job (in some cases it can be replaced by certified professional experience)
In addition to the above, the salary must comply with the generally applicable minimum wage (based on FEOR number) for the job.
Application process
An application for an ICT permit may be submitted with a letter of secondment for a specific employer, place of work and position.
The first application for a citizen of a country subject to visa requirements shall be submitted in person at the Hungarian consulate located in the country of origin or residence.
If you are a citizen of a non-visa country and entered Hungary as a tourist, you can apply for your first application online, through the EnterHungary website of the immigration office.
If the applicant is already in Hungary and renews his/her permit, he/she must submit his/her application for extension online. Applications for renewal of permits shall be submitted not later than 30 days before expiry of the period of validity.
An application for an ICT permit may also be submitted by an employer without the applicant’s personal presence, in which case the application must be submitted via the EnterHungary website of the immigration office.
The evaluation period for an ICT permit application is 70 days.
Change jobs
If there is a change in employment data (position, place of work), the employee must apply for a new ICT permit.
If there is a change of job, the employee must apply for a new permit corresponding to the employment relationship, which can be any type of work permit. Only after the OIF approval decision has been issued can you start working under the new terms and conditions of employment or with a new employer.
The holder of an ICT permit is entitled to switch to another type of permit domestically.
Possibility of permanent residence
ICT permit holders and their family members may apply for permanent residence in Hungary if the related conditions are met.
If you need help applying for an ICT Permit, please contact our office using the contact details on the website.
Official information about the application process and the necessary forms can be found on the website of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing.
Information on the processing fees for licence applications can be found here.
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