Stop migration? Hungary issued nearly 55,000 permanent residence permits for non-EU citizens in 2020

The Hungarian government has been conducting an anti-migration campaign since 2015, saying that they would like to preserve Christian Hungary. Government politicians regularly slam Western governments saying that they gave up their traditions and Christianity. Furthermore, they highlight that Germany or France settle migrants instead of supporting their families to have more children. However, 20,000 Ukrainians, 6,000 Vietnamese, 2,000 Koreans received a permanent residence permit in Hungary last year. And those numbers seem to contradict the message of the Hungarian government’s Stop Soros billboards.

Foreigners come to Hungary mostly to work

According to 24.hu, Hungary issued 54,835 permanent residence permits for non-EU citizens. Compared to, for example, Romania, with a population of 18 million, this is very high. Bucharest gave only 18,000 residence permits.

In Hungary, most of the permits were given to foreigners from ten countries. These include Ukraine, China, South Korea. 24.hu believes that most foreigners coming to Hungary probably work as guest workers in factories.

58 pc of the foreigners coming to Hungary do so to work.

Meanwhile, 16 pc comes to study. Interestingly, 1/3 of the Syrians (277 people) came to study in Hungary. 1/3 of the Iraqis (81 people) came due to family reasons.

The latest relevant statistics in the issue was published by Eurostat. They said that the number of new permanent residence permits decreased in 2020 because of the pandemic. Interestingly, Poland issued the highest number of permits (598,000), probably for their Ukrainian guest workers. The highest decrease in the number of permits issued was in the Czech Republic: minus 54 pc.

Hungary gave 54,835 residence permits last year.

Most of the “migrants” remain longer than one year

On the top, there are the Ukrainians with more than 20,000. Meanwhile, the second place belongs to the Chinese (6,000). The third is Vietnam (more than 3,000), while Serbian citizens are in fourth place with two thousand. Turkish, Indian, US, Russian citizens received more than 1,000.

Hungary donating over 1.1 million vaccines to Ghana, Rwanda

Compared to the neighbouring EU countries, the number of permits given to Ukrainians, Chinese, South-Koreans, and Indians is very high.

Data show that most of the Ukrainian and Serbian citizens come to Hungary to work. Meanwhile, a third of the Syrians come to study, while a third of the Iraqis due to family reasons.

Out of the 55,000 permits, 45,000 expires later than one year.

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Source: 24.hu, Daily News Hungary

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3 Comments

István says:

09/11/2021 at 13:51

Mr Woods,
Do you know the difference between legal and illegalal migrants? Do you care?
Should I explain?
Norbert : says:

09/11/2021 at 18:24

When reporting on the subject of Migration – Immigration – it is Imperative – that the author does there research, study and homework and that they prior to going into print, comprehend – FULLY – and understand the criterias – under what catagory – the applicants come under – for citizenship or residence status – in Hungary.
There are substantial differances – in the application process application for Citizenship as apposed to Residence Status – in Hungary.
Reports that miss extremely prevelant points as does this article it could be said “muddy the water” causing un-certainty and confusion – to the Migration/Immigration subject and process of application.

Istvan – in his question to John Woods – examples exactly what my comments are directed at.

John Woods – can consider – a follow up article – that SEPARATES – Highlights in the process and application – the DIFFERANCES – for Citizenship and that for Residence Status in Hungary.

Journalism – in it’s role of Communication – has in its “box of tricks” or “tool box” – that to the General Public / Citizens – it can and must play an intrical – important part and role – of Factual – EDUCATION.
Journalists must avoid at all times – leaving readers – CONFUSED – through a process that lacks “due diligence” or “duty of care” – which if not practiced, can result in the loss of Faith, Support & Respect, to those, in this case journalists – who Fail to do there research and home-work and report Fact.
István says:

10/11/2021 at 10:22

Norbert, you never said which country you sail and it is not necessary. Let me just say that their loss is our gain.
BTW, you are the one I was thinking about when I suggested that you are a better Hungarian than many native born Hungarians. Welcome to Hungary.