2024

Reading Time: 4 min

Hungary White Card for a former exchange student who misses living abroad

When I was younger, I was constantly around foreigners. During my studies at Shanghai University and as an exchange student in the USA, I met a lot of people from different countries and learnt so much about the world. It was the best time of my life, I swear!

After graduating and getting a serious job, everything changed. However, I still wanted to experience the excitement of living in an unfamiliar place and exploring new cultures.

Immigrant Invest brought this feeling back into my life by helping me obtain Hungary White Cards.

Liu Yi Fang, 31

UX/UI designer from China

Clients’ names and photos have been changed

Hungary White Card for a young woman from China

This case was provided by our expert

Zlata Erlach

Head of the Austrian office

Hungary White Card for a former exchange student who misses living abroad

Applicant’s background

Liu Yi Fang is a UX/UI designer who has been working for a Chinese IT company for 5 years.

As a student at Shanghai University, she was heavily involved in extracurricular activities and helped organise events for international students. She also had the opportunity to study abroad herself. As an exchange student, she spent one year at a US university, a partner of her home university.

After graduation, Yi Fang found a job in China and limited her travels to 1—2 trips per year. But she felt like something was missing.

When a university friend, who had moved to Europe several years ago, visited China for holidays and shared her experience, Yi Fang realised she wanted to try living in Europe too. She then started looking for opportunities to move to another country.

Why Liu Yi Fang chose Hungary White Card

From one of her colleagues, Liu Yi Fang heard about Digital Nomad Visas offered by some European countries. This colleague had already obtained a Digital Nomad Visa in Portugal with the help of Immigrant Invest and recommended our services to her.

During our first consultation, Yi Fang explained her situation, and we presented several Digital Nomad Visa programs in various countries.

After some consideration, Liu Yi Fang chose the Hungarian one, called the White Card.

Benefits of the Hungary White Card for the applicant. Three main factors made the Hungary White Card appealing to Yi Fang:

Hungary is a Schengen country, which allows its residents to travel within the Schengen Area without visas.
Hungary’s cost of living is generally lower than in many other countries offering Digital Nomad Visas. For instance, she would need about €3,300 per month in Hungary and about €4,500 and €4,700 in Italy and Spain, respectively. Renting in both countries is 1.5—2 times more expensive than in Hungary.
Located in the centre of Europe, Hungary offers easy access to various travel destinations. For instance, Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, and Serbia share a border with Hungary.

Several requirements must be fulfilled by the applicant for the Hungary White Card:

be employed by a company outside the EU and have a monthly income of at least €3,000;
rent or buy real estate with a living area of at least 6 m² per person; there is no minimum cost requirement;
provide a bank statement from a non-sanctioned bank showing a balance of at least €10,000;
buy health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000.

Limitations. The White Card is granted for one year, with an opportunity to extend it once for the same period. The residence permit issued on its basis does not lead to permanent residence or citizenship.

Yi Fang did not want to move to Hungary or Europe for over a few years. She admitted that after a year in Hungary, she might consider living in another European country. But in the end, she planned to return to China. Thus, it did not matter to her that the Hungary White Card does not lead to a life-long status.

The White Card also does not allow foreigners to include family members; it is designed exclusively for single applicants. Yi Fang does not have a partner or children, so this limitation did not concern her too.

Liu Yi Fang,

Obtained the Hungary White Card

Initially, I did not know much about Hungary. But as soon as I started exploring, I fell in love with the country.

Hungary, with its streets and architecture, seemed like a place where the spirit of old Europe still lingers. I had visited more popular countries like Italy and France, but Hungary felt different. Even in the pictures, it seemed cosy and warm.

After spending hours on Google and looking at dozens of pictures, I knew Hungary was the right choice for me. The conditions of the White Card program were also suitable, so I decided to proceed.

Choosing and renting real estate in Hungary

Liu Yi Fang decided to rent real estate in Budapest, as she did not plan to live in the country for more than a year. Our lawyers contacted a realtor in Hungary who helped her find the suitable property.

The applicant chose a two-bedroom apartment in district VI, Terézváros, located in central Budapest, near the famous Parliament Building and the Danube River. The apartment’s size is 62 m², and the rent is HUF 530,000 per month, which is about €1,300.

Yi Fang signed a 12-month long leasing contract and paid three months' rent in advance — HUF 1,590,000, or €4,000. She also paid a deposit, equal to one month’s rent.

Individual cost calculation for the Hungary Digital Nomad Visa

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Hungary White Card: step-by-step procedure

The process of obtaining the Hungary White Card for Liu Yi Fang took about 7 months. Immigrant Invest’s lawyers guided the applicant every step of the application.

Liu Yi Fang’s total expenses amounted to €5,747.

1 day, January 8th, 2024

Preliminary check and signing a contract

Liu Yi Fang contacted us in the beginning of January and we scheduled a meeting.

On the chosen date, she provided her passport, and our Anti-Money Laundering Officer conducted a thorough Due Diligence. This check allows us to identify any issues that can arise and reduce refusal risks to 1%.

Due Diligence was successful, and we signed a contract with Liu Yi Fang.

Liu Yi Fang contacted us in the beginning of January and we scheduled a meeting.

Due Diligence was successful, and we signed a contract with Liu Yi Fang.

2 weeks

Renting real estate, €5,300

The realtor in Hungary offered Liu Yi Fang several property options. She chose her apartment remotely, relying on photos and videos provided by the realtor.

Our lawyers verified the property and owner’s legitimacy and concluded a lease agreement on behalf of Yi Fang.

She paid €4,000 for three months' rent and €1,300 as a deposit.

The realtor in Hungary offered Liu Yi Fang several property options. She chose her apartment remotely, relying on photos and videos provided by the realtor.

Our lawyers verified the property and owner’s legitimacy and concluded a lease agreement on behalf of Yi Fang.

She paid €4,000 for three months' rent and €1,300 as a deposit.

+ 2 weeks

Preparation of documents, €337

Lawyers compiled a list of documents Liu Yi Fang would need to submit:

a passport;
an employment contract;
a rental agreement;
a bank statement from a non-sanctioned bank with a balance of at least €10,000;
health insurance with a minimum coverage amount of €30,000;
two passport-size photos.

When all the documents were collected, lawyers helped to translate, notarise, and apostille them.

At this stage, Liu Yi Fang paid €250 for year-long health insurance and €87 for preparation of her documents.

Lawyers compiled a list of documents Liu Yi Fang would need to submit:

a passport;
an employment contract;
a rental agreement;
a bank statement from a non-sanctioned bank with a balance of at least €10,000;
health insurance with a minimum coverage amount of €30,000;
two passport-size photos.

When all the documents were collected, lawyers helped to translate, notarise, and apostille them.

At this stage, Liu Yi Fang paid €250 for year-long health insurance and €87 for preparation of her documents.

1 day

Application for a D visa, €110

Lawyers booked an appointment for Liu Yi Fang at the Consulate of Hungary in Shanghai and submitted all the documents.

Upon visiting the consulate, Yi Fang provided her biometrics and paid an application fee of €110.

Lawyers booked an appointment for Liu Yi Fang at the Consulate of Hungary in Shanghai and submitted all the documents.

Upon visiting the consulate, Yi Fang provided her biometrics and paid an application fee of €110.

+ 7 weeks

Obtainment of a D visa and entry to Hungary

Liu Yi Fang obtained the D visa, valid for 3 months, that allowed 1 entry into Hungary. The applicant travelled to Hungary soon after receiving it, and there, she waited for her residence permit.

She was not required to file the second application.

Liu Yi Fang obtained the D visa, valid for 3 months, that allowed 1 entry into Hungary. The applicant travelled to Hungary soon after receiving it, and there, she waited for her residence permit.

She was not required to file the second application.

+ 4.5 months, August 14th, 2024

Collection of a residence permit card

Yi Fang collected her residence permit card in person from the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing.

Liu Yi Fang’s plans with the Hungarian residence permit

With the White Card, Liu Yi Fang has been living in Hungary since August, 2024. She is thoroughly enjoying her new life. Yi Fang has already taken a road trip through seven European countries and met people from Europe, South America, Africa, and Australia.

Moreover, she has already promised several of her new international friends to visit them in their home countries and invited them to come to China when she would return there.

Liu Yi Fang,

Obtained the Hungary White Card

The amount of memories I have made during the last five months compares to five years in China. I’ve travelled to new countries, made many new friends, practised my English, and even learned how to cook traditional Hungarian food.

I’m beyond grateful Immigrant Invest helped me obtain my White Card and make my life more enjoyable than ever.

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