Visas and permits that you need to enter and stay in the Republic of Croatia

As of July 1, 2013, the Republic of Croatia, as a member state of the European Union, applies the common visa policy of the Union in the part related to the common visa regime - E-citizen reports.

A visa is an authorization for:

- transit through or intended stay in the territory of Croatia for up to 90 days in each period of 180 days;
- transit through the international transit area of airports in Croatia.

Types of visas are:

- air transit visa (visa A)
- short-term visa (visa C).
A visa is issued for one, two or more entries for the purpose of transit, tourism, business, private or other travel. The validity period of the visa depends on the circumstances of the foreigner's trip to Croatia and cannot be longer than five years. Possession of a visa alone is not a guarantee of entry into Croatia, but the other requirements for the entry of foreigners prescribed by the Law on Foreigners must also be met.

On the basis of a visa, a foreigner cannot work on the territory of the Republic of Croatia.

An overview of the visa system, i.e. information on whether or not a foreigner needs a visa for Croatia, is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Due to possible changes, foreign citizens are definitely recommended to request additional information from the competent Croatian embassy/consulate before traveling, or to check the public website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs for basic information about the visa system valid between Croatia and other countries/entities.

The decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, dated July 22, 2014, established the application of Decision no. 565/2014/EU. All foreigners who are holders of valid Schengen documents, as well as those who are holders of visas and residence permits from Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania, do not need an additional (Croatian) visa for Croatia.

Foreigners who are holders of:

- single visa (C) valid for the territory of all countries of the Schengen area, valid for two or more entries
- visas with limited territorial validity (LTV), issued to the holder of a travel document that is not recognized by one or more, but not all, countries of the Schengen area, and - - valid for the territory of countries that recognize that travel document, valid for two or more entries
- long-term visa (D) for a stay longer than 90 days, issued by one of the member states of the Schengen area
- residence permit issued by one of the member states of the Schengen area
- visas, valid for two or more entries, and residence permits of Bulgaria
- visas, valid for two or more entries, and Cyprus residence permits
- visas, valid for two or more entries, and Romanian residence permits
- they do not need a visa for transit, or for an intended stay in Croatia that does not exceed 90 days in each 180-day period.

The period of validity of the above-mentioned documents, which are recognized as equivalent to a Croatian visa, must cover the duration of the transit or stay in the territory of Croatia. Facilitated entry of foreign nationals is in effect until the date of full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in Croatia.

Submitting a visa application

The visa application is submitted before entering Croatia, at the competent embassy/consulate or at the VFS Global visa center. If Croatia does not have an embassy/consulate or a visa center in a country, the applicant can also submit an application at the nearest Croatian embassy/consulate.

The visa application is submitted in person. Exceptionally, in justified cases, the applicant does not have to submit the application in person, but must personally approach the embassy/consulate for the issuance of a visa. Requests for minors or persons deprived of legal capacity are submitted by their legal representatives.

The visa application is submitted no earlier than three months before the intended trip.

Foreigners who need a visa for Croatia can also fill out the visa application form online. After completing the online application, it is necessary to contact the competent embassy or consulate where the applicant intends to submit the application with the serial number and password and proof of payment of the visa fee.

Croatian visa applications can also be submitted at VFS visa centers located in: Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Egypt, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Jordan, South Africa, Qatar, Kazakhstan, China, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon , Morocco, Mongolia, Nigeria, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine and Vietnam. Contact information and addresses of visa centers are available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Exceptionally and in a particularly justified case, if the foreigner could not apply for the issuance of a visa at the diplomatic mission or consular office of the Republic of Croatia and has attached, if necessary, documents proving unforeseen and urgent reasons for entering the Republic of Croatia, a short-term visa may be issued competent police station at the state border: for a stay of up to 15 days, for the purpose of transit and for a seafarer for the purpose of transit.