Must I submit a criminal record certificate for the Hungary WHV?

Volare Editorial | March 22, 2026

When organizing the documentation for the Working Holiday Visa in Hungary, one of the most critical requirements for visa approval is the accreditation of the applicant's personal conduct. Hungarian immigration authorities require this document to ensure that program participants do not have records that could compromise security or public order during their stay.

Certificate requirements and legalization by country

The obligation to provide this document is general, but the international validation method varies according to each country's agreement with Hungary:

• Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and other treaty countries: Yes, it is mandatory to submit an original and valid criminal record certificate issued by the competent national authority. For this document to have legal validity abroad, it must be duly apostilled under the Hague Convention.

• Taiwan: Yes, it is mandatory to submit an original and valid criminal record certificate issued by the competent national authority. In this case, the document must be duly legalized and have its respective official translation into English or Hungarian.

  
  

Additionally, if the document was not originally issued in English or Hungarian, it must have an official translation performed by a certified public translator. It is vital that the certificate is recent, with a validity that meets the specific criteria of the consular office at the time of the appointment.

Travel logistics and flight ticket reservation

Within the application folder, transportation logistics is a fundamental pillar that must not be omitted. Applicants must present a flight ticket reservation (round trip). If the return ticket is not held, it is a requirement to demonstrate the possession of additional economic funds that guarantee the purchase of said ticket to leave Hungarian territory once the one-year stay allowed by the visa has ended.

To obtain the complete list of documents and specific details regarding the required validity, you can visit the official Working Holiday Visa Hungary section.