First Temporary Residence in the Republic of Croatia
US citizens do not need a visa to enter and stay in Croatia for up to 90 days for visit or tourism purposes. Should a US citizen wish to work, attend school or reside in the Republic of Croatia for whatever reason for more than 90 days, he or she must apply for first temporary residence.
In accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Croatia a temporary residence permit for a foreign national can be obtained for the following purposes:
Family reunification;
Work; a valid work permit obtained by an employer based in Croatia must be accompanied by the relevant Contract of Employment;
Study;
Scientific research;
Humanitarian reasons;
Exceptionally other justified reasons as for instance enjoyment of own properties or a tourist residence of no more than six months duration.
Nationals of countries that do not need a visa to enter Croatia can apply either upon their arrival to Croatia in the nearest Police Department or in the relevant Embassy/Consulate General in the USA.
Nationals of countries that do need a visa to enter Croatia must apply in the relevant Embassy/Consulate General in the USA.
In accordance with the Croatian legislation when applying for a First Residence Permit the application must be made in person.
Applicants applying in the relevant Embassy/Consulate General are not advised to travel to Croatia before the decision on temporary residence approval has been made (even if they do not need a visa to enter Croatia)
The application can be found here.
The following needs to be submitted with the application:
- two passport size photographs (3x3,5cm);
- valid passport (must remain valid for at least another three months after the expiry of the residence permit applied for);
- criminal history report (not older than six months), issued by the authorized police station in the federal state wherein the applicant resides and the passport holder's own country. An Apostille seal must be attached.
- proof of financial resources for residence in the Republic of Croatia (eg. confirmation of earnings by the employer, a bank statement...)
- proof of health insurance
- proof of lodging (in original and notarized by Croatian notary public) eg. proof of ownership, lease agreement, contract of purchase etc.
- proof of purpose for requiring a Temporary Residence; after the application is submitted the purpose of residence can not be altered.
Documents that show the reason for residence in the Republic of Croatia:
- proof of school or university admission in the Republic of Croatia or
- proof of medical treatment in the Republic of Croatia or
- letter from authorized institution regarding scientific research or
- humanitarian reasons (family reunification or similar)or
- work permit
Documents that show reasons for business residence in the Republic of Croatia:
- proof of employment
- work contract
- record of company registration in the Republic of Croatia
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
All required documents must be either the originals or notarised copies. An Apostille must be attached to each relevant document. All required documents which are in English need to be translated into Croatian by certified translator. Document cannot be older than six months from the date of issue.
This consular service comprises a consular fee of $89,00. For documents that need to be certified by the Embassy (eg. foreign passport) consular fee is $14,00 per document. Please note that payment is only possible by personal check or money order (payable to: "Embassy in Croatia").
When considering an application for a Temporary Residence the authorities will consider whether there may be circumstances when the relevant legislation envisages rescinding of the right of residence for a foreign national and therefore a right to call for additional documentation is retained.
If no further information is required we aim to process an application in 8-12 weeks and then the Croatian Embassy will send a written communication on the outcome of the application. If the application is approved the First Temporary Residence Permit will be attached to the applicant's passport and this must be done in person at the place of the issuing authority, i.e. where the application was originally submitted.
A foreign national is obliged to report to the relevant Police station the exact place of residence no later than three days after arrival to Croatia.
The validity of a Temporary Residence Permit shall cease if a foreign national fails to report the place of residence at a Police station within 30 days from the date of issue of the Temporary Residence Permit, or is absent from Croatia for over 30 days.
The maximum duration of a first temporary residence permit is one year. This can be extended on condition that the applicant's passport remains valid for at least three months after the expiry of the extended temporary residence permit. Applications to extend can only be submitted in a Police Station nearest to the applicant's place of residence in Croatia no later that 30 days before the expiry of the current temporary residence permit.
Croatian Embassy in Washington, D.C. can only accept applications for a First Temporary Residence Permit from US citizens or non-US nationals with an approved residence in the USA (and other countries that fall under consular jurisdiction of the Embassy-eg. Mexico).
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