How to Apply for a Croatian Visa for UAE Residents

Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Long-Stay Visas
Transit Visa

Croatia, a nation situated between Central and Southeast Europe, ranks among the top Mediterranean tourist spots. Every year, millions of visitors are drawn to its stunning coastline, rich history, and vibrant culture.

As part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, Croatia follows visa policies similar to other EU countries.

Types of Croatian Visas

The types of visas Croatia offers depend on how long and why someone is staying:

Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Long-Stay Visas
Transit Visa

1. Tourist Visa

Croatia offers short-stay visas, also called tourist visas, for purposes like tourism, medical treatment, business, or other short visits. These visas let you stay in Croatia for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

You can get a Croatia short-stay visa for single, double, or multiple entries, determining how many times you can enter and exit the country. Some non-EU countries don’t need a visa for short visits to Croatia.

Since Croatia is part of the Schengen Area, its short-stay visa rules are similar to those of Schengen countries.

Requirements

When applying for a Croatia tourist visa, you need to provide these documents:

1. Letter of Guarantee (if visiting friends or family in Croatia): This letter must be notarized in Croatia. Your host should include proof of their finances (like pay slips, pension statements, or savings) from the past three months. They also need to provide a copy of their Croatian passport or residence permit.
2. If you are traveling for tourism: You do not need a Letter of Guarantee.
3. Proof of employment status:
If employed: A letter from your employer stating your job title, salary, and the period you will be away from work.
If self-employed: Company registration papers and a visa request letter on the company’s official letterhead.
4. For students: Proof of enrollment at a school or university.
5. For minors:
Birth certificate
A consent letter from parent(s) or guardian(s) allowing the minor to travel
Copies of parent(s) or guardian(s) passports
Depending on your country, you might also need:
A cover letter explaining your travel plans
Previous passports and visas
Income tax returns

2. Business Visa

The Croatia business visa is a short-stay visa that lets you travel for business activities for up to 90 days but doesn’t permit you to work.

Requirements

1. Letter of Guarantee: A completed and signed form from the Croatian company or entity inviting you. It must be stamped with the company’s official seal and signed by an authorized representative. Your guarantor also needs to provide proof of adequate financial resources.
2. Letter of Invitation: A letter from the inviting company in Croatia detailing the purpose and length of your visit.
3. Employer’s Letter: If applicable, a letter from your employer stating your job title, salary, the duration of your absence, and confirmation that the trip is for business purposes.
4. Cover Letter: A letter written by you explaining the purpose and duration of your trip.
5. Self-Employed Individuals: Company registration papers and a business visa request letter on official company letterhead.
6. Proof of Financial Resources: This can be your personal bank statements or proof that someone else, like your employer or the inviting company, is funding your trip.

3. Long-Stay Visas

Foreign nationals planning to stay in Croatia for more than 90 days need both a long-stay visa and a temporary residence permit. The most common long-stay visas are:

(a) Croatia Work Visa

This visa allows you to live and work in Croatia. Before applying, you must have a job offer from a Croatian employer who will obtain a work permit for you. Without a valid work permit, you cannot get a temporary residence permit.

Requirements:

The requirements for a Croatia work visa vary by job type but generally include:

Health insurance proof, such as:
European Health Insurance Card
Health insurance certificate from the Croatian Health Insurance Fund
Certificate from your country’s health insurance provider confirming access to healthcare per EU regulations
Private or travel health insurance if your country lacks a social security agreement with Croatia
A copy of your work contract
A copy of your employer’s company registration
Proof that a Croatian/EU citizen could not fill the job
Evidence of sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay
Proof of your educational background, qualifications, and skills

(b) Croatia Student Visa

This visa is for international students who wish to study at a Croatian educational institution. To obtain a Croatia Student Visa, you must first be enrolled at a Croatian school.

Requirements

To apply for a Croatia student visa, you need to provide:

Proof of enrollment at a Croatian educational institution.
Evidence of accommodation arrangements in Croatia.
Proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay, either from private funds or a scholarship.
Health insurance proof, such as:
European Health Insurance Card
Health insurance certificate from the Croatian Health Insurance Fund
Certificate from your country’s health insurance provider confirming access to healthcare per EU regulations
Private or travel health insurance if your country lacks a social security agreement with Croatia.
A cover letter explaining why you are applying for a Croatian student visa.
For minors:
Birth certificate
A consent letter from parent(s) or legal guardian(s) allowing the minor to study and reside in Croatia
Copies of parent(s) or legal guardian(s) passports

Foreign students planning to study in Croatia must apply for both a Croatia student visa and a temporary residence permit. You can apply for both at a Croatian embassy/consulate before traveling, or apply for the student visa first in your home country and then get the residence permit locally after entering Croatia at a police department or station.

(c) Croatia Family Visa

This visa is for non-EU family members of Croatian citizens or legal residents who want to reunite with their family in Croatia.

Requirements

To apply for a Croatia family visa, you need to provide:

Proof of health insurance valid in Croatia.
A cover letter explaining the purpose of your application.
Evidence of your family relationship with the Croatian citizen or resident permit holder.

Only the following family members of Croatian citizens or legal residents can apply for family reunification:

Spouse
Common-law partner
Minor children (including adopted children)
Parents (including adoptive parents) of minors

(d) Croatia Digital Nomad Visa

The visa was introduced in 2021 specifically to address economic challenges stemming from the 2020 pandemic, offering remote workers the opportunity to live in Croatia.

4. Transit Visa

A Croatia transit visa allows for single- or double-entry into Croatia, and sometimes multiple entries, with a maximum validity of up to six months.

Requirements

To apply for a Croatia transit visa, you must provide:

Proof of onward travel, such as a visa for your next destination or a valid travel ticket.
For minors: Birth certificate and a letter of consent from parent(s) or legal guardian(s) permitting the minor to travel.

Important Notes:

Ensure all documents submitted are in English or Croatian. If not, they must be translated by an official translator.
Some documents may need to be certified (apostilled) or legalized for use in Croatia.
Croatian authorities may request additional documents at any stage of the application process.

How to Apply for a Croatian Visa

So, can UAE residents travel to Croatia without a visa? Nationals from places, like the UAE, are exempt from needing a Croatia visa for stays up to 90 days. However, UAE residents must apply for one.

Here’s how to apply for a Croatia visa:

Fill out and print the application form.
Collect the necessary documents.
Schedule an appointment.
Pay the required fees.
Submit your application.
Wait for it to be processed.

1. Fill Out and Print the Application Form

Please fill out the Croatia visa online application form from here. Once you finish the initial questions, you’ll get a PIN and serial number. Remember to save them as you may need to continue your application later. Afterward, you’ll need to print the completed form.

2. Collect the Necessary Documents.

When you apply for a Croatia visa, you’ll need various supporting documents, which vary depending on the type of visa you’re seeking, as detailed earlier.

3. Schedule an appointment.

Schedule a meeting to submit your application form and necessary documents at the Croatian embassy/consulate, a visa application center, or an approved travel agency.

4. Pay the Required Fees

Please ensure to pay the Croatia visa fee according to the guidelines provided by the consulate or application center handling your application.

5. Submit Your Application

Present the application form and required documents in person during your scheduled appointment. If you’re unable to do so yourself, you can authorize someone else to submit them on your behalf.

6. Wait for It To be Processed.

After submitting all necessary documents, wait while your visa application is processed by the officers. Once approved, you will receive notification to collect your passport with the attached visa, allowing you to travel to Croatia.

When Should You Apply for a Croatian Visa?

It’s advisable to apply for your Croatian visa between 15 and 90 days before your planned travel. Applying earlier than three months in advance or later than six months may not be accepted by the Croatian embassy or consulate, and might incur higher visa processing fees.

Requirements

To apply for a visa to Croatia, you need to gather a set of documents including:

A completed and signed Croatia Visa Application Form. If you’re a minor, your parent or legal guardian must sign it.
Your passport or travel document, with at least three blank pages and valid for three months beyond your planned departure from Croatia. Include copies of all used pages and any previous visas.
Two passport-size photos meeting these criteria: 35mm x 45mm, taken professionally against a white background, with you looking straight ahead and a neutral expression. Avoid wearing glasses that obscure your eyes or face, and headgear is allowed only for religious reasons and your face shouldn’t be covered.
Proof of travel health insurance covering your entire stay in Croatia, with at least €30,000 for sudden illness, accidents, and repatriation.
Evidence of accommodation like a hotel booking.
Copy of your return flight ticket or proof of booking. Alternatively, show proof of onward travel, such as a bus or train ticket to your home country or another destination.
Proof of sufficient funds for your stay:
Bank statements from the past three months
A letter from your employer detailing your salary and job position
Any additional documents supporting the purpose of your trip.

Cost

When applying for a Croatian visa, the visa fee is required by the embassy or consulate. Adults and children over 12 years old must pay 80 Euro for single or multiple entries (approximately 90 USD). Children aged 6 to 12 years pay 40 Euro (approximately 45 USD) for single or multiple entries.

If you apply through a visa application center or accredited travel agency, the total fee will be higher due to additional service charges on top of the visa fee itself. Follow the payment instructions provided by the agency or office where you submit your application.

Children under 12 years old are exempt from the Croatia visa fee but may need to pay a service fee if not applying directly at an embassy or consulate.

Processing Time

Processing times for Croatian visas vary significantly. Short-stay visas can take anywhere from two weeks to a month or more. Long-stay visas typically require a minimum of four weeks for processing.

The time it takes to process your Croatia visa depends on several factors, including the specific embassy or consulate handling your application, the season, and whether you’ve submitted all necessary documents accurately.

If any documents are missing or incorrect, Croatian visa officials will request them from you, which can delay processing. Additionally, some embassies or consulates may have slower processing times, especially during peak application periods.

Validity

A Croatia visa allows you to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period as determined by Croatian authorities. The maximum stay of 90 days does not guarantee you will receive that exact duration.

For multiple-entry visas, the total days spent in Croatia across all visits must not exceed the assigned duration on your visa.

To stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a long-stay visa and obtain a Croatian residence permit.

Visa with Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi Passports

For UAE residents with Pakistani, Indian, or Bangladeshi passports, the requirements to obtain a Croatian visa are as follows:

1. General Requirements

Application Form: Completed and signed visa application form.
Passport: Valid for at least three months beyond the planned stay in Croatia, with at least two blank pages.
Photographs: Two recent passport-sized photos.
Proof of Accommodation: Hotel reservations, rental agreements, or an invitation letter from a host in Croatia.
Travel Itinerary: Detailed travel plan including return flight tickets.
Travel Insurance: Valid for the duration of stay in Croatia and covering at least 30,000 euros for medical emergencies.

2. Specific to Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi Citizens

Proof of Financial Means: Bank statements for the last three months showing sufficient funds.
Employment Status: Employment letter from the employer in the UAE, detailing position, salary, and approval of leave.
Residence Permit: Valid UAE residence permit with a copy.

3. Application Submission

Applications should be submitted to the nearest Croatian embassy or consulate. For UAE residents, this can be done at the Croatian consulate in Dubai.

For more detailed and updated information, it is recommended to consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Croatia over https://mvep.gov.hr or visit their local consulate.

FAQ’s

Yes, it is technically possible to extend a Croatian tourist visa, but extensions are granted only for serious and valid reasons, such as:

Facing danger in your home country during your stay in Croatia
Humanitarian grounds
Other valid and serious personal reasons

Documents Needed for Extending a Croatia Visa

If you believe you qualify for a Croatia visa extension, you must apply at the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before your current visa expires. You must provide the following documents:

Completed Croatia Visa Application Form.
Valid passport or travel document.
Proof of health insurance covering the extension period.
Evidence of sufficient funds to support your stay.
Any documents supporting your request for a Croatia visa extension.

Approval of your extension request is at the discretion of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which evaluates each application individually.

As of January 2023, Croatia joined the Schengen Area.

Yes, now that Croatia is part of the Schengen Area, a Croatian visa allows entry into Schengen countries. You don’t need to apply for a visa from another Schengen country anymore.

If you already hold a valid Schengen visa, you do not need an additional Croatian visa to visit Croatia. You can enter Croatia using your Schengen visa, as long as it has available entries and days left for your stay. This also applies to those with residence permits from a Schengen country.

If you’re connecting through a Croatian airport and staying in the transit area, you don’t need a Croatian transit visa.

But if you’re from a country that requires a visa and you need to go through immigration to change flights, you must apply for a Croatian transit visa. This process is similar to applying for a regular Croatian visa and requires proof of your onward travel plans.

Anyone from another country who plans to stay in Croatia for more than 90 days must obtain a Croatian Residence Permit.

Once you receive a long-stay visa, you can travel to Croatia and apply for your Temporary Residence Permit at a local police station. This permit allows you to legally reside in Croatia; the long-stay visa only permits entry for residency purposes. You cannot apply for residency if you entered Croatia with a short-stay visa.

EU citizens do not need a long-stay visa for Croatia or a Residence Permit. However, if they plan to stay more than 90 days, they must register their presence at a local police station in Croatia.

You can apply for a Croatia visa at:
A Croatian Diplomatic Mission, like an embassy or consulate (either in your country or the nearest one).
An authorized Visa Application Center.
An authorized travel agency in your country.

To find the exact location where you can submit your Croatian visa application, visit the website of the Croatian Embassy or Consulate that oversees your region.