Index – Homeland – Here is the government’s answer to Brussels, why Russian and Belarusian guest workers do not pose a risk

In her letter, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson called the expansion of the program worrisome, as she believes that Russian and Belarusian citizens could pose a security risk to the member states participating in the Schengen Agreement, which allows free movement of people and products and open borders within the EU, and therefore on August 1 asked the Minister of the Interior Sándor Pintér in a letter to respond to the concerns raised by August 19.

According to Johansson, the citizens of the two countries may even represent espionage or other security threats to the Schengen countries, but according to the letter written by Sándor Pintér, there is no cause for concern. As the Hungarian Minister of the Interior puts it,

On the part of Hungary, in the case of an application for a National Card, the same migration and security screenings will be carried out as in the case of other residence permits. The National Card is issued taking into account the relevant European Union regulations and considering the security risks that may arise

– he writes in his reply letter, adding that Hungary continues to attach great importance to its own national security and the protection of the entire Schengen zone. Pintér added that by protecting the external border of the EU and the Schengen zone, Hungary already contributes to the security of the zone and the operation of the convention.

According to the government, the applicants do not pose a national security risk

In the attachment to the letter, the Minister of the Interior answers all the questions and concerns that have arisen. In connection with the expansion of the states participating in the program, the government explains in its response what Hungarian and EU legislation was followed.

In addition, the government also revealed that the decision was made due to labor market and competitiveness aspects, adapted to the current economic situation. In addition, the current decision does not in any way affect the national and public security vetting of Russian and Belarusian citizens.

In Pintér’s answer, he explains that less than one percent of Russian and Belarusian citizens living in the European Union live in Hungary, and much more live in Germany, but also in Spain, Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland.

As a result, the Hungarian government maintains security checks at the same level as before, and the number of citizens mentioned does not represent a greater risk than in other member states.

– says the letter, adding that the government does not expect that the number of Russian and Belarusian citizens applying for the National Card would significantly exceed the number of previously requested residence permits.

The arrival of Russian and Belarusian workers does not pose a risk either, because the government does not expect more applicants, and on the other hand, the vetting process will not be simplified, it will remain strict – for this reason, according to the government’s argument, the government does not pose an increased security threat to the other countries of the Schengen zone. National card holders.

Russians can receive the National Card for a maximum of two years, which can be extended

In the letter, the government explains what criteria the applicants must meet in order for their application to be evaluated positively, i.e. to be able to enter Hungary for the purpose of work.

On the one hand, in addition to the appropriate travel documents, applicants are provided with adequate accommodation, living conditions and with health insurance must have and not be subject to deportation or entry ban.

With the National Card, it is otherwise possible to stay for more than 90 days within 180 days, which is for a fixed period of up to two years – this can be extended by three years on occasion.

Since the card can be requested for the purpose of employment, it is therefore only available according to the specified job and workplace. If someone were to change workplace in the meantime, they must submit an extension request, during which the authorities will once again examine their eligibility with regard to the new employer.

The vetting is carried out by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which cooperates with the Counter-Terrorism Center and the police.

The letter adds that the immigration enforcement authority constantly monitors the sanction lists, and permits cannot be issued to the persons listed on them.

In its response, the government specifically emphasizes that, in addition to Hungarian and EU legislation, entry is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Schengen Border Control Code, i.e. both the program and the entry comply with EU regulations.

The letter also explains that until the workers who have received a positive assessment receive the National Card, they cannot leave Hungary according to the main rule, since the temporary residence permit – until they receive the card – is only valid for Hungary. They add

the Hungarian law enforcement agencies observe and observe all relevant European Union provisions in the case of Russian and Belarusian citizens as well.

In another point of the letter, it is underlined that there are no special guidelines or exceptions for Russian and Belarusian citizens.

So far, there have not been many applicants

At the end of the letter, the government also announces how many people have submitted applications after the program was expanded in July.

Of the 33 applicants, 27 Russians, 6 Belarusians, five of them Russian and two Belarusian citizens received the permit, while the other applications are being evaluated.

(Cover photo: Viktor Orbán and Ursula von der Leyen on May 9, 2022. Photo: Prime Minister’s Press Office / Benko Vivien Cher / MTI)