The Hungarian government has announced the suspension of work visa issuance for citizens of Georgia, Armenia, and the Philippines, effective immediately.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, citing reports from Reuters, the decision was confirmed by government spokesperson Vanda Sondi.
Sondi stated that the government intends to tighten regulations for foreign employment due to concerns that an influx of foreign workers may be suppressing wage growth for local employees. She emphasized that this measure represents the initial step in a broader strategy to regulate the flow of foreign labor into the country.
Despite the new restrictions, foreign workers currently residing in Hungary will remain eligible to apply for extensions of their existing permits. Furthermore, applications that were submitted prior to this policy change will be processed according to established procedures.
This policy shift occurs within the broader context of European Union migration and labor market policies. Hungary, a member of the Schengen Area, has frequently adjusted its immigration framework to balance economic labor demands with domestic social and political priorities. The Schengen Area allows for the free movement of people across most European nations, making national visa policies a significant point of interest for EU-wide security and labor coordination.
