Which country needs visa for Croatia? As Croatia has been admitted into the community, if Schengen nation, the country will not issue visas to foreigners coming to Europe for short visits. This means more opportunities for interested visitors but is your country one of them, and do all visitors need a valid Schengen visa to enter Croatia? We address visa eligibility criteria so you will be better informed about the new visa arrangement for Croatia.
Croatia Visa Policy
The visa policy of Croatia outlines the regulations and rules concerning the travel requirements for visitors who plan to visit the country. The rules have changed due to the country’s recent acceptance into the Schengen zone, as announced in late 2022. Croatia has long been a member of the European Union and has the same visa policy similar to its neighbors. It allowed Europeans into its borders without the need for visas, but that was not the case for travelers from non-European countries. The country also had visa-exempt policy agreements with a number of non-European countries, and for others, it has a separate visa policy.
All that is set to change with the introduction of the new visa policy introduced by the government after becoming a Schengen nation. Now, foreigners from outside Europe not on the visa-free list can apply for this visa, including the other already available visas. But which country needs a visa for Croatia?
Which Country Needs Visa For Croatia?
Travelers coming to Croatia are grouped into two categories based on nationality—travelers from visa-exempt countries and trackers from non-visa-exempt countries. Travelers from visa-exempt countries do not need visas for Croatia. Before, they were only a handful of countries, but this list is set to increase with the country’s admittance into the Schengen zone. In all, there is a total of 63 visa exempt countries on the Schengen list. So if your country is on the list of visa-free countries, you don’t need a visa to visit Croatia.
Travelers from non-visa-exempt countries require visas to enter Croatia. The countries on this list are more than the visa-exempt list, most of which are in Africa, Latin America, and Europe. Citizens from Russia, China, Nigeria, India, etc., all need visas to enter Croatia, while those from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc., don’t need visas.
What Documents Do Persons From Visa Exempt Countries Need?
Individuals from visa-exempt countries can enter Croatia with only their valid passport if it is valid and they plan to stay for no more than 90 days. This will remain the case until the end of 2023. By 2024 the new ETIAS policy will become mandatory for all visa-free visitors. The European Travel Information and Authorization System is more or less like a valid visa waiver and a vetting system to vet travelers from visa-exempt countries.
ETIAS is not a visa but a vetting system to secure EU borders by preventing questionable characters from entering Croatia or any EU country.
Does Croatia Have Visa On Arrival?
Croatia does not have a visa on arrival like some other countries have. So anyone interested in visiting the country must first obtain a visa from the embassy in their home country or countries of residence before boarding a flight. Croatia does not also have an eVisa policy for visitors.
How Long Can Visitors Stay In Croatia With A Schengen Visa?
The Schengen visa policy is uniform across Europe, so visitors can only stay for not more than 90 days. This visa is solely for transit, business, family, and friends visiting or tourism, and it is a short-term visa that expires in 180 days. People who wish to stay in Croatia for more than three months must apply for a long-term visa for work, long-term study, residency, or any other purpose.
Where to Apply For The Visa?
Online application is impossible for any visa, so you must visit the embassy or consulate to submit your application. The embassy in your country may not accept applications from applicants directly but through visa, application centers to find out who the accepting agent is if that is the case in your country.
Applications should be submitted at least three weeks or more before the day you plan to travel.
Although the average application processing time is 15 calendar days, early application is always the best policy in case of delays by the embassy.
How Much Is The Application Fee?
The application fee for a Schengen visa is €80 and €40 for children between 6 and 11 years, and no fees for children under six. The fees for other visas change based on the applicant’s nationality.
Now that you know which country needs visa for Croatia, make sure you visit the embassy to submit your application if your country is not on the visa exempt list.