croatia Visit Visa - Definitive Guide

There are different kinds of short term visa to visit Croatia. One of the common visas is a visitor visa. This visa differs from the tourist visa by the purpose of the visit. There are different document requirements as well. It is needed at the time when you are looking forward to visiting your family members or friends in the country. To obtain a visitor visa, you require an invitation from the person you are visiting in Croatia. The validity for a Croatia visitor visa varies from 90 days to 180 days as well, which can be extended as per the requirement.

The process of application is mainly offline but starts with an online application. However, before you carry on to the process of application, it is important that you first check if you match the eligibility criteria. You must first make sure that you have all the requirements and mainly a valid passport to support your application. The steps for the process are given as follows:

1. Got to the official website of the Embassy of Croatia.
2. Select the visa section on the site and choose the online application form for a Croatia visit visa.
3. Fill out the application form according to the details on your documents and the passport.
4. Take a print out of the form and sign it.
5. Attach the required supportive documents to the form (original if specifically instructed).
6. Submit the form to the embassy along with the documents visiting personally. 

There are certain things that you need to keep in mind at the time of filling out the application form. You need to ensure that you are providing all the correct and true information. Entering false information can lead to visa rejection. This kind of visa refusal can affect your future applications for any kind of visa to visit Croatia or for any other country as well. Although there are other reasons as well that lead to rejection of the visa. It is therefore recommended to consider getting a professional consultation.

There are various factors that you need to consider to be able to obtain Croatia visit visa. The criteria that will make you eligible for the permit are mentioned as follows:

• You must possess proof of purpose of visit
1. If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in Croatia.
2. You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
3. Pre-bookings of the round trip and hotel reservations (if required) must be done.
4. Credible proof of accommodation must be made available for the visa application.

• You must meet the health requirements
1. You must be healthy enough to travel to Croatia.
2. You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
3. You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.

• You must meet the character requirements
1. You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind visiting in Croatia.
2. You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).

• You must have sufficient funds
1. You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Croatia.
2. Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.
3. If the trip is sponsored, you must have the relevant proof of the same.

Documents required for Croatia visit visa as follows:

• An original passport that is valid for at least 3 months ahead of the date of travel.
• Visa application form, completely filled and signed
• Coloured photographs as per the photo specifications
• A cover letter with all the required details
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Income Tax Returns proof
• Travel Health Insurance
• Proof of accommodation - invitation letter, hotel reservation, etc.
• Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement or any other equivalent document.
• Proof of identification and nationality - PAN card, Adhaar card
• Letter of Invitation
• Copy of valid older visas (if any) - USA, UK, Schengen, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile.
  

The photo specifications of visit visa to Croatia are as follows -

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 35 mm x 45 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 60-70% of the frame. 
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of the Croatia visit visa depends on several factors. Ideally, it requires about 15 days but the time may differ and increase as per the processing of documents and the interview. However, it may even need longer and take up to a month or two. The workload on the embassy, the staff at the embassy, the interview appointment and certain others.

The fee for a visa to visit Croatia is paid in two instalments. The first fee is paid at the time when you are applying online by filling out the online application form for the chosen category. The second instalment is paid after the documents have been approved and you have an appointment with the embassy for an interview. The total cost will vary depending on the type of visa.

When the documents have been submitted along with the visa application form, 

• The embassy will process the same and you will be asked to attend an interview if required.
• The documents will then be processed and you will be provided with a stamp on the passport.
• The applications by mail are generally not accepted except for special cases.
• The visa fees are to be paid at the time of filling out the online application as the receipt is to be submitted along with other documents offline to the Embassy of Croatia.
• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the embassy/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.
• The visa fee is generally not refundable.

You can check the status of the visa on the embassy website in the visa application section. To check the status, you have to enter the application form number and a pin and you can know the status. Alternatively, to check the status of your visa, you may visit the website of the visa agency through which you have applied or the visa application centre website. You can even do it offline by calling the embassy with the visa application number and enquire about the status.

When the visa has been received, you need to make sure that your actions do not get the visa cancelled. There are rules and regulations that are to be followed in order to do so. Some pointers can be found in the following:

• Before you travel
• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Croatia within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Croatia

• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.