Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT)

The Intra-Corporate Transfer - ICT Permit is a specialized residence permit designed for third-country nationals employed by a company outside the European Union who are temporarily assigned to a company within Hungary that belongs to the same corporate group. This permit facilitates the temporary business immigration relocation of key personnel, such as executives, specialists, and trainees, from the parent company (home company) to its affiliate, subsidiary, or branch in Hungary (host company). 

 To qualify for the ICT Permit, applicants must meet several specific criteria: 

• Third-Country Nationality: The applicant must be a citizen of a non-EU country.

• Employment Relationship: The individual must have been employed by the home company for at least three continuous months before the business immigration application, with this employment continuing during the transfer.

• Corporate Relationship: The home and host companies must belong to the same corporate group.

• Duration of Transfer: The transfer must be temporary, with the ICT permit issued for up to three years for executives and specialists and up to one year for trainees. Extensions are possible but cannot exceed the original duration limits.

Position Requirements:

• Executives and Specialists: Must possess the necessary experience, qualifications, and, in some cases, a university degree.
• Trainees: Must hold a university degree relevant to their training.

The process for obtaining an ICT Permit in Hungary depends on whether the applicant is applying from outside or within the country. For those outside Hungary, business immigration applications are typically submitted at a Hungarian consulate, while those within Hungary can apply either online or in person. Employers in Hungary can also initiate the application on behalf of their employees, though the employee must still attend in person for biometric data collection. 

The application for an ICT Permit in Hungary requires several mandatory documents. These include proof of employment, evidence of corporate affiliation between the home and host companies, qualification documents, proof of financial resources, a declaration of a valid address in Hungary, comprehensive health insurance coverage, and valid travel documents. 

The decision-making process for the ICT permit generally takes up to 60 days from the date of application submission. For the initial residence permit, the Hungarian immigration authority has up to 21 days to process the application, with possible extensions depending on the complexity of the business immigration case.

With the ICT permit, holders are entitled to:

• Work in Hungary for the host company listed in the permit.

• Travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without additional visas.

• Study at Hungarian higher education institutions.

• Engage in additional work, provided it is not prohibited by the host company.

Holders are required to:

• Register their residence in Hungary within three days of arrival.

• Report changes such as the birth of a child, loss or theft of the residence permit, or changes in employment status to the immigration authorities.

• Return the residence permit to the authorities if it becomes invalid.

The ICT permit is typically valid for up to three years for executives and specialists, and up to one year for trainees. The permit can be extended, but the total duration of stay cannot exceed these limits.