Project closing

Between April 1, 2024 and April 30, 2026, the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP), in consortium with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, successfully implemented the project no. HAVE_PLUSZ-2.3.1-24-2024-00002, titled “Supporting Consular Cooperation with Primary Screening Activity of Visa Advisors IV” under the call for projects no. HAVE_PLUSZ-2.3.1-24, titled “Facilitating expert capacities for the support of consular decision-making”. Thanks to this development, the efficiency of Schengen visa procedures and consular cooperation has been enhanced in seven locations identified as critical in terms of migration. The project was implemented with a total budget of HUF 862.49 million, funded by a non-repayable grant of the European Union under the Border Management and Visa Policy Instrument Plus.

As part of the project, seven visa advisor officers served at posts in Ankara, Baku, Ho Chi Minh City, Islamabad, Istanbul, Cairo, and Shanghai. The specialist experts supported visa issuing activities at diplomatic missions or consular posts of Hungary and other Member States, in particular with regard to the preliminary screening of applications, the verification of documents, and the drafting of consular decisions. Visa advisor officers conducted consultations, delivered presentations, and actively participated in regional cooperation initiatives. Their work enhanced well-founded decision-making on visa issuance, while also strengthening relations with local authorities and international organisations.

As part of the project, state-of-the-art document verification devices were also purchased, which make it much easier for colleagues to detect forged documents. Through their reports and on-site experience, the experts have continuously supported the work of Hungarian authorities and the analysis of migration processes, significantly increasing the efficiency of existing specialist capacities.

The activities of visa advisor officers are closely aligned with responsibilities of NDGAP, as well as contribute to facilitating legal migration and effectively tackling illegal migration.

Further information on the project is available on the following webpages:
https://www.palyazat.gov.hu/eredmenyek/tamogatott-projektek/3831520201 & https://oif.gov.hu/projektek.”