Hungary stops issuing worker visas to people from three countries, including Philippines

Tourists and locals are seen at a castle in Budapest, Hungary's capital city, in 2022. Photo by Duc Hung

Hungary's government stops issuing worker visas to employees from the Philippines, Georgia ​and Armenia from Friday, a government spokeswoman said, ‌calling the move a first step towards regulating the inflow of guest workers.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar's Tisza party, which ended right-wing leader Viktor Orban's 16-year rule in an April 12 election landslide, ⁠has said it would stop issuing visas to workers from outside the European Union from June.

The government will tighten employment opportunities for guest workers over what it says are concerns they are pushing down local salaries, spokeswoman Vanda Szondi told a media briefing.

Foreign workers account for just 2% of Hungary's workforce based on official ‌statistics, ⁠but some sectors, like services and manufacturing, are heavily reliant on foreign workers.

The government will change decree allowing manpower companies to import workers in a simplified procedure from the Philippines, ⁠Georgia and Armenia as of Friday.

Employees already present can still apply for an extension, while requests already submitted would ⁠be assessed.

The government calls the reforms a first step in a planned long-term solution.

Some of Hungary's largest foreign investors ⁠have said a complete halt to the inflow of guest workers would hit companies and the wider economy.