This is how 32,000 immigrants will come to Hungary

A website claims that 32,000 immigrants will come to Hungary despite the anti-immigrant narrative. The Government information Center responded to this.

Jelen claims to be in possession of documents stating that migrants will be able to come to Hungary more easily in the future. According to the documents, coronavirus made it difficult to run businesses in certain sectors such as tourism. That is why the country plans to welcome more immigrants from non-EU countries. To support this cause, a so-called Simplified Touristic Visa would be introduced.

A submission is said to contain that, due to labour shortage in tourism, it is justified to bring workforce from other countries. They would get a simplified visa to temporarily reside in Hungary and be able to work in the country. The submission that Jelen refers to contains that

“the simplified visa may be used only by nationals of certain countries, taking full account of national security interests, under carefully defined conditions.”

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Workforce is coming from Ukraine, Vietnam and other countries, but bureaucracy makes the process difficult. To fill the vacant jobs, Hungary would make the process of getting a job easier. The document is said to assist accepting workers from Ukraine, Serbia, and Vietnam.

The visa would be valid for 24 months, but it could be renewed.

Although, there are certain criteria. The person who wants to work in Hungary has to prove that they have accommodation and a valid work contract with an employer in the tourism sector. Moreover, the visa applicant has to get a sufficient wage that cover his expenses while living in Hungary. Jelen writes that 32,000 foreigners would come to work in Hungary with this simplified visa.

Telex tried to find out more about the case and reached out to the Government Information Center (Kormányzati Tájékoztatási Központ). The center replied to the news site, stating that

“Every year, the government issues work permits to as many guest workers as there are vacancies left by Hungarians. The legal conditions for this have been known for years, and the government does not want to change that. Employers’ organisations always want more guest workers which the government has rejected in all cases. “