Visas
Find out which documents (visas or permits) you need to enter and stay in the Republic of Croatia
As of 1 July 2013, the Republic of Croatia, as a member state of the European Union, has been applying the Union common visa policy in the part related to the common visa regime.A visa is an approval for the purpose of:
- Transit through the Republic of Croatia or intended stay in the Republic of Croatia for a maximum 90 days within any period of 180 days;
- Transit through international transit area of airports in Croatia.
- Air-transit visa (visa A)
- Short-stay visa (visa C).
A visa is issued for one, two or more entries for the purpose of transit, tourism, business, private visit or other travel purpose.
The validity period of a visa depends on the circumstances of a foreigner travelling to Croatia and cannot exceed five years.
Holding a visa does not guarantee entry into Croatia; instead, other requirements for entry of foreigners prescribed by the Foreigners Act also have to be met as well.
A foreigner cannot work in the territory of the Republic of Croatia based on a visa.
An overview of the visa regime; i.e. the information on whether a foreigner needs a visa to enter Croatia can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
It is recommended that foreign nationals still ask for additional information from the competent embassy/consular office of Croatia; that is, to check the public website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs for basic information on the visa regime in force between Croatia and other countries/domains in case there are any changes.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Pursuant to a decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, as of 22 July 2014, the Republic of Croatia has been applying Decision no. 565/2014/EU. All foreign nations who are holders of valid Schengen documents, as well as holders of national visas and residence permits of Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania do not require an additional (Croatian) visa for the Republic of Croatia.
Foreigners who are holders of a:
- uniform visa (C) for two or multiple entries, valid for all Schengen Area member states
- visa with limited territorial validity (LTV visa), for two or multiple entries, issued to a holder of a travel document that is not recognised by one or more, but not all of the Schengen Area member states, and which is valid for the territory of the member states recognising the travel document
- long-stay visa (D) for stays exceeding 90 days, issued by one of the Schengen Area member states
- residence permit issued by one of the Schengen Area member states
- national visa for two or multiple entries and a residence permit of Bulgaria, listed in Annex I of Decision no. 565/2014/EU
- national visa for two or multiple entries and a residence permit of Cyprus, listed in Annex I of Decision no. 565/2014/EU
- national visa for two or multiple entries and a residence permit of Romania, listed in Annex I of Decision no. 565/2014/EU
do not require a visa for transit or intended stays in the territory of Croatia not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period.
The text of the Decision is available in the Official Journal of the European Union Decision no.565/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council.
The period of validity of the above mentioned documents which are recognised as equivalent to a Croatian visa has to cover the duration of the transit or stay in Croatia. This facilitated entry of foreign nationals will be in force until Croatia fully applies the provisions of the Schengen acquis.
Submission of a visa application
A visa application should be submitted prior to entry into Croatia, at the competent embassy/consular office or at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre. If there is no Croatian embassy/consular office in some country, the application may be submitted at the nearest Croatian embassy/consulate.A visa application is submitted in person. Exceptionally, in justified cases, a visa applicant does not need to submit the application in person, but they have to present themselves when called upon by the embassy/consular office. In case of minors and persons without legal capacity, a visa application is submitted by their legal representatives.
A visa application should not be submitted more than three months before the intended journey.
Foreigners who need a visa for Croatia can fill in the visa application form online. Once the applicant has submitted an online application, they need to contact the competent embassy/consular office where the applicant intends to submit their application and provide the serial number, password and proof of payment of the visa fee.
Visa applications can also be submitted at VFS Visa Application Centres 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. The contact information and addresses of the visa centres are available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
You can find all information about the necessary documentation which needs to be enclosed with a visa application on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
Documentation to be enclosed with an application.
You will also find all necessary forms on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
Forms.
Exceptionally and in particularly justified cases, if a foreign national could not submit a visa application in a diplomatic mission or consular office of the Republic of Croatia and provided, if required, documents proving the unpredictable and urgent need to enter the Republic of Croatia, the competent police station at the state border may issue a short-term visa: for stay of up to 15 days, for the purpose of transit or to a sailor for the purpose of transit.
All enquiries about the Croatian visa regime can be sent to the following e-mail: vize@mvep.hr.