Hungary to stop issuing worker visas to people from three countries starting Friday

Hungary’s new government has announced plans to stop issuing new work visas to citizens of the Philippines, Georgia and Armenia as part of a broader effort to tighten controls on foreign labour and reduce reliance on non-European workers.

Government officials said the policy will take effect immediately and marks the first stage of a long-term strategy to regulate the inflow of guest workers into the country.

The move follows a major political shift after the election victory of Prime Minister Peter Magyar and his Tisza Party, which ended the 16-year rule of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Before taking office, the new government pledged to restrict employment opportunities for workers from outside the European Union, arguing that uncontrolled labour migration could place downward pressure on wages and affect local employment opportunities.

Government spokeswoman Vanda Szondi said authorities would also amend existing regulations that previously allowed recruitment agencies to bring workers from the Philippines, Georgia and Armenia into Hungary through simplified procedures.

Under the new rules, individuals already living and working in Hungary will still be allowed to apply for extensions of their permits, while applications already submitted before the policy takes effect will continue to be processed.

Although foreign workers make up only around 2% of Hungary’s total workforce, they play a significant role in sectors facing labour shortages, particularly manufacturing, logistics and services.

The announcement has raised concerns among some major international companies operating in Hungary. Several foreign investors have warned that a complete halt to new guest-worker recruitment could create staffing shortages, slow business expansion plans and negatively affect economic growth.

Supporters of the policy argue that it will protect domestic workers and ensure that Hungarian citizens are prioritised for available jobs, while critics warn that labour shortages could worsen in industries already struggling to recruit enough staff.

The visa restrictions are expected to be the first of several immigration and labour-market reforms planned by the new government as it reshapes Hungary’s approach to foreign employment and workforce development.