Visa issuance procedure
Croatian embassies/consulates issue Schengen visas (A and C) and Croatian national visas (D). Type A visa, which is (only) an airport-transit visa is an authorization for transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen Member States. Visa A is required only for nationals of third countries listed in Annex IV of the Visa Code.
C-TYPE VISAS
A short-stay visa (C) is an authorization for an intended stay in the territory of any Schengen Member State not exceeding 90 days within any 180-day-period. It can be issued for one, two or more entries; for transit, tourism, business, private or other purposes. The allowed number of days of stay in the Schengen area can be calculated by means of an online calculator. Visa application is submitted to the representation of the Schengen MS that is the main destination of the intended travel. If the main destination of the intended travel is Croatia, but there is no Croatian diplomatic or consular representation in that particular country, nor an accredited visa application center, applications may be submitted at the nearest Croatian embassy/consulate in another country.
Visa application shall be submitted in person. For minors or persons deprived of their business capacity, visa applications shall be submitted by their legal representatives. Visa application shall be submitted no more than six months before the start of the intended trip, and, as a rule, no later than 15 days before the start of the intended trip. Seafarers performing their duties may apply for a visa no earlier than nine months before the start of the intended trip. All applicants are advised to apply early as submission slots might be limited or completely unavailable in case of last-minute submissions.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (C-TYPE VISA APPLICATION) *
*Below lists are applicable for submissions in South Africa and Nigeria respectfully. Applicants lodging their applications in third countries (e.g. Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya) where harmonized lists of supporting documents to be submitted by applicants for C visas exist, should refer to those lists.
Visa application form, completed and signed by the applicant.
A passport that meets the following conditions: must contain at least two empty pages; must be issued in the previous 10 years; its validity period must be at least three months longer than the date you intend to leave the Schengen area, or, in the case of multiple trips, from the date you intend to leave Schengen on the occasion of the last trip.
List of travel documents recognized by Croatia as valid for crossing the state border and affixing a visa
A recent face photograph in accordance with ICAO standards.
Medical travel insurance covering emergency medical assistance, hospitalization and repatriation (including in case of death). The insurance must be valid for the entire Schengen area and must cover the entire duration of the planned stay. The minimum insured amount is 30.000,00 EUR. Applicants for short-term visas for one or two entries are obliged to provide evidence of appropriate and valid travel medical insurance policy covering the entire period of their stay in the Schengen area. Applicants for multiple-entry short-term visas are obliged to provide evidence of appropriate and valid travel medical insurance policy covering the period of their first stay in the Schengen area. Applicants are obliged to have medical travel insurance with an insurance company in their country of residence. If that is not possible, medical travel insurance can be obtained in another country. Natural or legal persons from Croatia inviting the applicant can obtain a medical travel insurance on his/her behalf with an insurance company from Croatia.
List of supporting documents to be presented by applicants for short stay visas in SOUTH AFRICA - related to the purpose of stay, means of support, means of travel and the intention to return to the home country or the possibility of entering a third country:
General requirements for all applicants: a) round trip reservation and detailed itinerary including dates and flight numbers specifying the dates of entry and exit from the Schengen Member State; b) proof of sufficient means of subsistence during the intended stay: bank statement for the past three months, unless all the expenses are covered by the employer or the inviting person; c) non-South African nationals: South African residence permit or temporary residence permit valid for at least three months beyond the planned stay in the territory of the Member States; d) if the applicant does not intend to return to South Africa but go either to his country of origin or another third county, a reasonable proof of their intention is needed e.g. work contract in the new destination, or proof of enrolment in university/school or a rental agreement.
Minors: a) minor’s birth certificate b) both parent’s certified copies of IDs or passports; c) if minor travels alone: certified consent by both parents; d) if minor travels with only one parent, the other parent must give a certified consent. If only one parent has guardianship of the minor, the relevant court documents must be presented.
When travelling for the purpose of tourism, business or study: a) proof of accommodation for the duration of the intended stay. If accommodation costs are covered by another person or entity, this must be clearly stated in the Guarantee Letter; b) if applicant is staying with a relative or friend, a Guarantee Letter mentioning this must be submitted. The Letter must clearly identify the host and the invitee (name, address, birthdate, official identification number, occupation, permanent residence); purpose of visit; length of stay and accommodation status (where will the invitee stay and who pays for it). This is provided by means of a specific form (see: Letters of Guarantee); c) in case of a pre-paid tour, details of the tour with a proof of payment to the tour operator should be provided; d) proof of employment: a letter from your company stating your monthly wages, continuing employment after period of leave and the duration of vacation.; e) if self-employed: a certification from SA Companies and Intellectual Property Commission or SA Revenue Service is required; f) if student: Letter from school/college/university in South Africa certifying the student status of the applicant.
Documents to be submitted when attending specific events, such as conferences, workshops, short term studies, official meetings, cultural or sports events, exhibitions, fairs, training, etc. a) for persons attending sports events, exhibitions and fairs: presentation of a document proving the participation of the applicant in the event; b) for other events: an invitation from the host. The invitation should include clear identification of both the entity issuing it and the invited applicant; nature, duration and venue of the event; applicant´s role in the event and the link between the host and the invited applicant; c) for participation in conferences: a proof of registration and payment; d) official visits: a note verbale from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation or any other relevant South African Ministerial Department is required. If expenses are covered by the host and/or by the employer this needs to be clearly established in the invitation letter or note verbale, as appropriate.
Transit: if the applicant intends to enter the territory of a Schengen Member State, however, short the stay will be (including change of airports, going from an airport to a train or bus station, or even change of terminals when that entails entering the territory of the Member State), he/she must apply for a short stay visa. Airport transit: proof of entry permit for the country of final destination.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (D-TYPE VISA APPLICATION)
A long-stay visa (D) is an authorization for entry if the third-country national has been granted a temporary stay, or a stay and work permit, and if he/she requires a short-stay visa to enter Croatia. It is issued for one or multiple entries, with a validity period of up to six months and with an approved duration of stay of up to 30 days. The application for a D visa is submitted before entering Croatia. Visa application must be submitted in person. For minors or persons deprived of their business capacity, visa application must be submitted by their legal representative.
The application for a D visa shall be submitted no earlier than two months before, and no later than two months after the beginning of validity of the temporary stay or the stay and work permit in Croatia. A third-country national who has been issued a D visa must, within 30 days from the beginning of validity of the visa, contact the competent police department or police station in order to register their place of residence and have a biometric residence permit (card) issued.
When submitting a D-type visa application, it is required to submit a completed and signed visa application form (D) together with the following documents:
A passport that meets the following conditions: must contain at least two empty pages; must be issued in the previous 10 years; the validity period of the travel document must be at least three months longer than the period of validity of the temporary stay or stay and work permit.
List of travel documents recognized by Croatia as valid for crossing the state border and affixing a visa
A recent face photograph in accordance with ICAO standards.
Travel medical insurance for the first 30 days in Croatia, covering emergency medical assistance, hospitalization and repatriation (including in case of death). The insurance policy must be valid for the entire Schengen area, with the minimum insured amount of 30.000,00 EUR.
Evidence (Administrative Decision) of granted temporary stay or stay and work permit in Croatia.
Evidence of means of travel (air ticket).
LIST OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED BY APPLICANTS FOR SHORT STAY VISAS IN NIGERIA
(1) Documents to be provided by ALL VISA APPLICANTS: 1) Copy of flight ticket or flight reservation including return flight. 2) Verifiable evidence of sufficient means of subsistence during intended stay such as: salary slips; recent personal bank statement or balance over last three months; regular income generated by property. 3) Proof of accommodation for the whole duration of the intended stay; hotel reservations, rental of holiday home, campus residence reservation or proof of private accommodation (invitation) from the host. 4) Additionally, for non-Nigerian nationals residing in Nigeria: copy of the Nigerian residence permit. 5) Minors travelling alone or with one parent must present: letter of consent from both parents/legal guardian(s); copy of the birth certificate of the minor; ID card/passport of both parents/legal guardian(s).
(2) Documents to be provided by applicants travelling for the purpose of TOURISM: 1) Proof of employment: Tax Clearance Certificate and Certificate of Business Incorporation paper for businesspersons; Employment letter stating the days of leave for employees; For scholars (professors, scholarship-holders, lecturers, instructors, etc.) and students, letter from school or university; 2) Proof of commercial activities in Nigeria and overseas for businesspersons e.g. bills of lading, receipt book, etc. 3) Any proof of family ties in Nigeria (marriage certificate, proof of real estate property).
(3) Documents to be provided by applicants travelling for FAMILY VISIT: 1) Proof of relationship between visa applicant and the person to be visited (birth certificate, marriage certificate, correspondence, photos, etc.); 2) Formal written and signed invitation or sponsorship document from the host in accordance with respective laws.
(4) Documents to be provided by applicants travelling for BUSINESS: 1) Invitation letter from the company based in the Member State of destination. The letter should contain relevant personal data on the invited person, purpose of the visit and duration of stay. 2) Tax Clearance Certificate and Certificate of Business Incorporation (certificate of registration of a company or business). 3) Proof of commercial activities in Nigeria and recent business contacts, ongoing commercial relationship with the company that invites the person (contracts, bills, commercial correspondence, etc.). 4) In the case of participation in conferences, fairs, seminars, congresses, etc.: An invitation from a company or an authorized body to attend events connected with trade, industry or work; Proof of registration and entry tickets for events, if applicable; Other documents proving the existence of trade or work relations.
(5) Documents to be provided by applicants travelling for MEDICAL TREATMENT: 1) Certificate from the applicant's physician or a hospital in Nigeria, verified, if necessary, by another independent medical body, confirming the need for specific medical treatment to be provided in the country of destination. 2) An official document of the receiving medical institution in the Member State confirming that it can perform the specific medical treatment and the patient will be accepted accordingly. 3) Proof of pre-payment of the treatment or other proof of sufficient financial means to cover the medical treatment and related expenses, such as additional insurance coverage. 4) Any other correspondence between the sending and receiving sides, if available.
(6) Documents to be provided by applicants travelling for RESEARCH or TRAINING: 1) Certificate of enrolment at an educational establishment for the purpose of studying, undertaking scientific or practical trainings (including vocational training) or other activities that could help enhance the professional and intellectual skills of the applicant. 2) Student cards or certificates in respect of the courses to be attended. 3) Proof of pre-payment of courses or training activities, if applicable.
(7) Documents to be provided by applicants travelling on an OFFICIAL MISSION or OFFICIAL PURPOSES: A verbal note issued by the Nigerian Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirming that the applicant is a member of an official delegation or on an official mission to a Member State. Invitation letter or confirmation of registration from the host organization.
(8) Documents to be provided by applicants travelling for SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES, CULTURAL, SPORTS OR RELIGIOUS EVENTS OR OTHER REASONS: Copy of the official invitation. Invitation, entry tickets, enrolments or programs stating (wherever possible) the name of the host organization, the length of stay or other documents proving the purpose of the journey.