Visa Information

Overview

On 1 January 2023 Croatia became a Schengen area Member State (Schengen acquis is fully applicable in Croatia). Citizens of South Africa who plan to visit Croatia are required to obtain a visa before departure. Foreign nationals residing in South Africa should check whether they require a visa for Croatia.

A visa allows foreigners to stay in Croatia or other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any period of 180 days. Time spent in Croatia is added to the time spent in other Schengen countries. Short-stay Visa Calculator of permitted stay can be used as a helping tool to calculate travel days remaining under a Schengen short-stay visa.

If one plans to visit more than one Schengen country in the course of one trip, such Schengen visa application must be submitted to the representative of the country that is applicant’s main destination based on the length of the stay or the purpose of his/her stay. If several Schengen area countries are visited but the main destination cannot be determined, such applications must be submitted to the representative of the Schengen country that is applicant’s first point of entry into the Schengen area.

When entering and leaving the Schengen area, a valid passport must be shown. There is generally no passport control at the borders between Schengen area member states. Holders of valid visas or residence permits in one of the Schengen area countries, may also visit the other Schengen countries. All visas state how many times one can enter Schengen area (one, two or more entries). NB: if visa is only valid for one entry, and if holder of such a visa leaves the Schengen area, for example to go to the UK, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, re-entry to Schengen is not possible without a new visa. It is therefore important that applicants state in their visa application how many times they will be travelling in and out of the Schengen area during their visit.

Foreign nationals who have been registered in the Schengen Information System (SIS) shall not be allowed to enter the Schengen area (e.g. if one has been expelled from Croatia or another Schengen country).

Foreign nationals cannot work in Croatia on the basis of a short-term visa. Applicants may be required to come for a personal interview with the visa officer at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Pretoria. Submitting a visa application, including all the required documents, does not automatically mean that the visa will be issued. Furthermore, an issued visa is not a guarantee that a foreign citizen will be permitted to enter the Republic of Croatia. On every crossing of the border, the police may require foreign citizens to present all relevant documents, including copies of the Letters of Guarantee for both private and business visits. Visa application fees are non-refundable once the application has been accepted at the Embassy. Any falsification of the documents and the use of such documents may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Visa Fees

Fees are due on the visa application when applying.

Applicants may choose to pay at the Visa Application Centre using Credit/Debit Card or deposit the amount at the below Bank. Proof of payment must be received with the visa application. The name of the applicant must be clearly stated as reference on the proof of payment or a bank deposit slip or internet banking advice.

BANKING DETAILS FOR VISAS ONLY:

*Please use your Passport Number as Reference.

The following are exempt from short-term visa (visa C) fees upon application: close family members of a Croatian national (spouse and children up to the age of 21); close family members of citizens of the EEA Member States and Switzerland (spouse and children up to the age of 21) – NB: exceptions apply ; all children up to the age of 12; holders of diplomatic and service passports travelling in their official capacity; pupils, students, postgraduate students and teachers accompanying them to attend school; researchers coming to conduct research, as provided for by the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005; representatives of non-profit organizations up to the age of 25, who are to attend seminars, conferences, sport, cultural or educational events organized by non-profit organizations.

All fee exemptions shall be double verified. In case an exemption was not justified, the applicant will be contacted by the Embassy to pay the applicable fee before the file is assessed.

Please note:

• The applicable fees are as per the current EUR/ZAR exchange rate and are subject to change.
• All fees are non-refundable.
• There is a R 760 mandatory courier fee applicable per application if you submit your visa application at the Cape Town branch.
• The Visa Application Centre offers the following services at a nominal additional cost:
  • Courier services
  • SMS Tracking Facility
  • All service charges are to be paid at the Visa Application Centre through Debit/Credit card only in South African ZAR (VFS service charge and other charges).

Documents Required

All applicants are requested to read the following basic requirements carefully and conform to the same while submitting the application.

For the full consolidated list of requirements, please see below.

• Tourist

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not yet purchased one, please click here.

1. Visa application form: must be digitally filled out, printed and signed by the applicant, or a parent or legal guardian on behalf of minors. Please ensure to bring your Serial number and PIN with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277 PIN: e.g. STGII). Hand written forms will not be accepted. When completing the online application, please take note that in STEP 4/6 of the online application the Guarantor / Inviting person information is to be filled out ONLY in case of private and business visits (Letters of Guarantee to be attached). Applicants for tourist visas should skip this part and should fill out only the booked hotel/ accommodation/ apartment information in the subsequent part (Information on the residence in Croatia). Detailed information is available at the consular information section of the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

The following documents must be scanned and uploaded: Face Photograph 35x45mm; Passport – photo page; Travel Health Insurance; Transportation Booking – e.g. an Air Ticket; Bank Statement. Should you not attach the required documents please inform the VFS Global Visa Application Staff to assist in accessing the application, scanning and uploading the supporting documents, before submission to the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

2. Passport: issued within the last 10 years, with expiry date a minimum of 3 months after the departure from Croatia and/or Schengen Area, containing at least two empty pages. Please copy all previous (valid and expired) visas.
3. Face photograph: One recent passport-size photograph in color (3.5cm / 4.5cm)
4. Face photograph: please see the information on the Photo Specification page.
5. Travel health insurance to cover the possible expenses related to medical assistance, hospitalization and repatriation, with the minimum coverage of EUR 30 000. The health insurance must be valid for all Schengen Area Member States, during the entire stay. Applicants for a multiple-entry visa must have travel health insurance policy that covers the period of the first visit to the Schengen Area.
6. Proof of residence for nationals other than South African: a photocopy of the stay permit.
7. Means of transportation and intention to return to the country of residence: reservation of return travel ticket for airplane, bus, or boat; registration card and driver's license if travelling by car; if the person is travelling to a third country, then proof of itinerary (travel ticket, etc.).
8. Proof of the purpose of stay in Croatia: certificate of a paid tourist package; booking of a hotel or other accommodation; private accommodation booking, including copy of the decision of the competent authority in Croatia approving the private renting; day to day itinerary with booked accommodation for the entire stay; proof of ownership or lease of a boat/yacht etc.
9. Documents proving sufficient funds to support the stay in the Schengen Area and to return to the state of residence or to travel to a third state: 70 EUR per day of the estimated stay in Croatia. Supporting documents may include: pay slips and/or recent bank account statements confirming the balance and transactions in the last three months etc. Exceptionally, if the Letter of Guarantee indicates that the guarantor is fully covering all the expenses related to the trip, the applicant can be exempt from the requirement of presenting own proof of sufficient funds.
10. Proof of professional or student status: evidence of employment, if self-employed: a certification from SA Companies and Intellectual Property Commission or SA Revenue Service is required; if student: Letter from school/ college/ university certifying the student status of the applicant; for retired persons – proof of pension.
11. For minors and persons deprived of legal capacity: visa application shall be submitted by a parent or the legal representative. For minors the birth certificate and both parent’s certified copies of IDs or passports must be attached. If minor travels alone: certified consent by both parents; 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. For persons deprived of legal capacity the relevant court papers must be attached.

Any document attached shall not be older than three months. Croatian Embassy in Pretoria may require you to submit additional supporting documents and/or certified translation as well as the international certification (Apostille) of the public documents (e.g. birth and marriage certificates) during the visa application process.

Photo Specifications

The photographs must be:

• no more than 6-months old
• 35–40mm in width
• close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph
• in sharp focus and clear
• of high quality with no ink marks or creases

The photographs must:

• show you looking directly at the camera
• show your skin tones naturally
• have appropriate brightness and contrast
• be printed on high quality paper, and at high resolution

Photographs taken with a digital camera must be high quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper.

Information on the photographic specifications for the photograph to be submitted by applicants can be found under this link to the relevant ICAO document:
http://www.icao.int/Security/mrtd/Downloads/Technical%20Reports/Annex_A-Photograph_Guidelines.pdf

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If the presented photo does not follow these requirements your application will be considered incomplete!

Processing Time

Applications can be lodged no more than 6 months before the start of the intended trip. Seafarers travelling in the performance of their duties can lodge their application up to 9 months before the start of the intended trip. Applications must be submitted by applicants themselves; or in the case of minors by a parent or legal guardian, no later than 15 days before the intended departure and that only through VFS Global.

It is recommended that applications are lodged early, considering national holidays of Croatia and of South Africa, as those may affect processing times. Last minute submission slots are limited or completely unavailable. Holders of a multiple-entry visa (valid for a period of at least six months) may lodge the application for a new visa before the expiry of that visa.

The standard processing time of 15 days can be extended to 45 days if the supporting documents are not submitted as per the requirements or due to other factors and/or justified reasons.

The original passport needs to be presented at the time of the application. In case you need to travel and cannot leave your passport in the Embassy for the processing time you can get it back immediately after filing the application in person. After the visa has been approved you need to resubmit the passport for the issue of the visa.

Download Forms

Visa application form (VAF) should be filled in digitally on your computer for all the applicants, including all minors. The form needs to be signed personally by the applicant on the last page. For minors, the application must be signed by one of the parents or a legal guardian.

Electronically filled visa application form must be submitted to the VFS with the on-line application serial number and PIN. Please ensure to bring your Serial number with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277; PIN: e.g. STGII).

Overview

On 1 January 2023 Croatia became a Schengen area Member State (Schengen acquis is fully applicable in Croatia). Citizens of South Africa who plan to visit Croatia are required to obtain a visa before departure. Foreign nationals residing in South Africa should check whether they require a visa for Croatia.

A visa allows foreigners to stay in Croatia or other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any period of 180 days. Time spent in Croatia is added to the time spent in other Schengen countries. Short-stay Visa Calculator of permitted stay can be used as a helping tool to calculate travel days remaining under a Schengen short-stay visa.

If one plans to visit more than one Schengen country in the course of one trip, such Schengen visa application must be submitted to the representative of the country that is applicant’s main destination based on the length of the stay or the purpose of his/her stay. If several Schengen area countries are visited but the main destination cannot be determined, such applications must be submitted to the representative of the Schengen country that is applicant’s first point of entry into the Schengen area.

When entering and leaving the Schengen area, a valid passport must be shown. There is generally no passport control at the borders between Schengen area member states. Holders of valid visas or residence permits in one of the Schengen area countries, may also visit the other Schengen countries. All visas state how many times one can enter Schengen area (one, two or more entries). NB: if visa is only valid for one entry, and if holder of such a visa leaves the Schengen area, for example to go to the UK, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, re-entry to Schengen is not possible without a new visa. It is therefore important that applicants state in their visa application how many times they will be travelling in and out of the Schengen area during their visit.

Foreign nationals who have been registered in the Schengen Information System (SIS) shall not be allowed to enter the Schengen area (e.g. if one has been expelled from Croatia or another Schengen country).

Foreign nationals cannot work in Croatia on the basis of a short-term visa. Applicants may be required to come for a personal interview with the visa officer at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Pretoria. Submitting a visa application, including all the required documents, does not automatically mean that the visa will be issued. Furthermore, an issued visa is not a guarantee that a foreign citizen will be permitted to enter the Republic of Croatia. On every crossing of the border, the police may require foreign citizens to present all relevant documents, including copies of the Letters of Guarantee for both private and business visits. Visa application fees are non-refundable once the application has been accepted at the Embassy. Any falsification of the documents and the use of such documents may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Visa Fees

Fees are due on the visa application when applying.

Applicants may choose to pay at the Visa Application Centre using Credit/Debit Card or deposit the amount at the below Bank. Proof of payment must be received with the visa application. The name of the applicant must be clearly stated as reference on the proof of payment or a bank deposit slip or internet banking advice.

BANKING DETAILS FOR VISAS ONLY:

*Please use your Passport Number as Reference.

The following are exempt from short-term visa (visa C) fees upon application: close family members of a Croatian national (spouse and children up to the age of 21); close family members of citizens of the EEA Member States and Switzerland (spouse and children up to the age of 21) – NB: exceptions apply ; all children up to the age of 12; holders of diplomatic and service passports travelling in their official capacity; pupils, students, postgraduate students and teachers accompanying them to attend school; researchers coming to conduct research, as provided for by the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005; representatives of non-profit organizations up to the age of 25, who are to attend seminars, conferences, sport, cultural or educational events organized by non-profit organizations.

All fee exemptions shall be double verified. In case an exemption was not justified, the applicant will be contacted by the Embassy to pay the applicable fee before the file is assessed.

Please note:

• The applicable fees are as per the current EUR/ZAR exchange rate and are subject to change.
• All fees are non-refundable.
• There is a R 760 mandatory courier fee applicable per application if you submit your visa application at the Cape Town branch.
• The Visa Application Centre offers the following services at a nominal additional cost:
  • Courier services
  • SMS Tracking Facility
  • All service charges are to be paid at the Visa Application Centre through Debit/Credit card only in South African ZAR (VFS service charge and other charges).

Documents Required

All applicants are requested to read the following basic requirements carefully and conform to the same while submitting the application.

For the full consolidated list of requirements, please see below.

• Business

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not yet purchased one, please click here.

1. Visa application form: must be digitally filled out, printed and signed by the applicant, or a parent or legal guardian on behalf of minors. Please ensure to bring your Serial number and PIN with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277 PIN: e.g. STGII). Hand written forms will not be accepted. When completing the online application, please take note that in STEP 4/6 of the online application the Guarantor / Inviting person information is to be filled out ONLY in case of private and business visits (Letters of Guarantee to be attached). Applicants for tourist visas should skip this part and should fill out only the booked hotel/ accommodation/ apartment information in the subsequent part (Information on the residence in Croatia). Detailed information is available at the consular information section of the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

2. The following documents must be scanned and uploaded: Face Photograph 35x45mm; Passport – photo page; Travel Health Insurance; Transportation Booking – e.g. an Air Ticket; Bank Statement. Should you not attach the required documents please inform the VFS Global Visa Application Staff to assist in accessing the application, scanning and uploading the supporting documents, before submission to the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

3. Passport: issued within the last 10 years, with expiry date a minimum of 3 months after the departure from Croatia and/or Schengen Area, containing at least two empty pages. Please copy all previous (valid and expired) visas.
4. Face photograph: please see the information on the Photo Specification page.
5. Travel health insurance to cover the possible expenses related to medical assistance, hospitalization and repatriation, with the minimum coverage of EUR 30 000. The health insurance must be valid for all Schengen Area Member States, during the entire stay. Applicants for a multiple-entry visa must have travel health insurance policy that covers the period of the first visit to the Schengen Area.
6. Proof of residence for nationals other than South African: a photocopy of the stay permit.
7. Means of transportation and intention to return to the country of residence: reservation of return travel ticket for airplane, bus, or boat; registration card and driver's license if travelling by car; if the person is travelling to a third country, then proof of itinerary (travel ticket, etc.).
8. Proof of the purpose of stay in Croatia: Letter of Guarantee by Legal Person: in original or a photocopy if the original is deposited at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Croatia as per the following instructions; with the Letter of Guarantee, the guarantor shall enclose a proof of solvency (BON 1 or BON 2 Forms or a confirmation issued by the competent Commercial Court in the Republic of Croatia that the liquidation procedures have not been initiated). Letter of invitation issued by a Croatian state authority, or the organizer of an international meeting or manifestation organized under the auspices of the Croatian Parliament, the President of the Republic of Croatia or the Government of the Republic of Croatia. 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.
9. Documents proving sufficient funds to support the stay in the Schengen Area and to return to the state of residence or to travel to a third state: 70 EUR per day of the estimated stay in Croatia. Supporting documents may include: pay slips and/or recent bank account statements confirming the balance and transactions in the last three months etc. Exceptionally, if the Letter of Guarantee indicates that the guarantor is fully covering all the expenses related to the trip, the applicant can be exempt from the requirement of presenting own proof of sufficient funds.
10. Proof of professional or student status: evidence of employment, if self-employed: a certification from SA Companies and Intellectual Property Commission or SA Revenue Service is required; if student: Letter from school/ college/ university certifying the student status of the applicant.
11. For minors and persons deprived of legal capacity: visa application shall be submitted by a parent or the legal representative. For minors the birth certificate and both parent’s certified copies of IDs or passports must be attached. If minor travels alone: certified consent by both parents; 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. For persons deprived of legal capacity the relevant court papers must be attached.

Any document attached shall not be older than three months. Croatian Embassy in Pretoria may require you to submit additional supporting documents and/or certified translation as well as the international certification (Apostille) of the public documents (e.g. birth and marriage certificates) during the visa application process.

Photo Specifications

The photographs must be:

• no more than 6-months old
• 35–40mm in width
• close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph
• in sharp focus and clear
• of high quality with no ink marks or creases

The photographs must:

• show you looking directly at the camera
• show your skin tones naturally
• have appropriate brightness and contrast
• be printed on high quality paper, and at high resolution

Photographs taken with a digital camera must be high quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper.

Information on the photographic specifications for the photograph to be submitted by applicants can be found under this link to the relevant ICAO document:
http://www.icao.int/Security/mrtd/Downloads/Technical%20Reports/Annex_A-Photograph_Guidelines.pdf

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If the presented photo does not follow these requirements your application will be considered incomplete!

Processing Time

Applications can be lodged no more than 6 months before the start of the intended trip. Seafarers travelling in the performance of their duties can lodge their application up to 9 months before the start of the intended trip. Applications must be submitted by applicants themselves; or in the case of minors by a parent or legal guardian, no later than 15 days before the intended departure and that only through VFS Global.

It is recommended that applications are lodged early, considering national holidays of Croatia and of South Africa, as those may affect processing times. Last minute submission slots are limited or completely unavailable. Holders of a multiple-entry visa (valid for a period of at least six months) may lodge the application for a new visa before the expiry of that visa.

The standard processing time of 15 days can be extended to 45 days if the supporting documents are not submitted as per the requirements or due to other factors and/or justified reasons.

The original passport needs to be presented at the time of the application. In case you need to travel and cannot leave your passport in the Embassy for the processing time you can get it back immediately after filing the application in person. After the visa has been approved you need to resubmit the passport for the issue of the visa.

Download Forms

Visa application form (VAF) should be completed digitally on your computer for all the applicants, including all minors. The form needs to be signed personally by the applicant on the last page. For minors, the application must be signed by one of the parents or a legal guardian.

Electronically filled visa application form must be submitted to the VFS with the on-line application serial number and PIN. Please ensure to bring your Serial number with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277; PIN: e.g. STGII).

Overview

On 1 January 2023 Croatia became a Schengen area Member State (Schengen acquis is fully applicable in Croatia). Citizens of South Africa who plan to visit Croatia are required to obtain a visa before departure. Foreign nationals residing in South Africa should check whether they require a visa for Croatia.

A visa allows foreigners to stay in Croatia or other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any period of 180 days. Time spent in Croatia is added to the time spent in other Schengen countries. Short-stay Visa Calculator of permitted stay can be used as a helping tool to calculate travel days remaining under a Schengen short-stay visa.

If one plans to visit more than one Schengen country in the course of one trip, such Schengen visa application must be submitted to the representative of the country that is applicant’s main destination based on the length of the stay or the purpose of his/her stay. If several Schengen area countries are visited but the main destination cannot be determined, such applications must be submitted to the representative of the Schengen country that is applicant’s first point of entry into the Schengen area.

When entering and leaving the Schengen area, a valid passport must be shown. There is generally no passport control at the borders between Schengen area member states. Holders of valid visas or residence permits in one of the Schengen area countries, may also visit the other Schengen countries. All visas state how many times one can enter Schengen area (one, two or more entries). NB: if visa is only valid for one entry, and if holder of such a visa leaves the Schengen area, for example to go to the UK, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, re-entry to Schengen is not possible without a new visa. It is therefore important that applicants state in their visa application how many times they will be travelling in and out of the Schengen area during their visit.

Foreign nationals who have been registered in the Schengen Information System (SIS) shall not be allowed to enter the Schengen area (e.g. if one has been expelled from Croatia or another Schengen country).

Foreign nationals cannot work in Croatia on the basis of a short-term visa. Applicants may be required to come for a personal interview with the visa officer at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Pretoria. Submitting a visa application, including all the required documents, does not automatically mean that the visa will be issued. Furthermore, an issued visa is not a guarantee that a foreign citizen will be permitted to enter the Republic of Croatia. On every crossing of the border, the police may require foreign citizens to present all relevant documents, including copies of the Letters of Guarantee for both private and business visits. Visa application fees are non-refundable once the application has been accepted at the Embassy. Any falsification of the documents and the use of such documents may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Visa Fees

Fees are due on the visa application when applying.

Applicants may choose to pay at the Visa Application Centre using Credit/Debit Card or deposit the amount at the below Bank. Proof of payment must be received with the visa application. The name of the applicant must be clearly stated as reference on the proof of payment or a bank deposit slip or internet banking advice.

BANKING DETAILS FOR VISAS ONLY:

*Please use your Passport Number as Reference.

The following are exempt from short-term visa (visa C) fees upon application: close family members of a Croatian national (spouse and children up to the age of 21); close family members of citizens of the EEA Member States and Switzerland (spouse and children up to the age of 21) – NB: exceptions apply ; all children up to the age of 12; holders of diplomatic and service passports travelling in their official capacity; pupils, students, postgraduate students and teachers accompanying them to attend school; researchers coming to conduct research, as provided for by the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005; representatives of non-profit organizations up to the age of 25, who are to attend seminars, conferences, sport, cultural or educational events organized by non-profit organizations.

All fee exemptions shall be double verified. In case an exemption was not justified, the applicant will be contacted by the Embassy to pay the applicable fee before the file is assessed.

Please note:

• The applicable fees are as per the current EUR/ZAR exchange rate and are subject to change.
• All fees are non-refundable.
• There is a R 760 mandatory courier fee applicable per application if you submit your visa application at the Cape Town branch.
• The Visa Application Centre offers the following services at a nominal additional cost:
  • Courier services
  • SMS Tracking Facility
  • All service charges are to be paid at the Visa Application Centre through Debit/Credit card only in South African ZAR (VFS service charge and other charges).

Documents Required

All applicants are requested to read the following basic requirements carefully and conform to the same while submitting the application.

For the full consolidated list of requirements, please see below.

• Family or Friends Visit

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not yet purchased one, please click here.

1. Visa application form: must be digitally filled out, printed and signed by the applicant, or a parent or legal guardian on behalf of minors. Please ensure to bring your Serial number and PIN with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277 PIN: e.g. STGII). Hand written forms will not be accepted. When completing the online application, please take note that in STEP 4/6 of the online application the Guarantor / Inviting person information is to be filled out ONLY in case of private and business visits (Letters of Guarantee to be attached). Applicants for tourist visas should skip this part and should fill out only the booked hotel/ accommodation/ apartment information in the subsequent part (Information on the residence in Croatia). Detailed information is available at the consular information section of the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

2. The following documents must be scanned and uploaded: Face Photograph 35x45mm; Passport – photo page; Travel Health Insurance; Transportation Booking – e.g. an Air Ticket; Bank Statement. Should you not attach the required documents please inform the VFS Global Visa Application Staff to assist in accessing the application, scanning and uploading the supporting documents, before submission to the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

3. Passport: issued within the last 10 years, with expiry date a minimum of 3 months after the departure from Croatia and/or Schengen Area, containing at least two empty pages. Please copy all previous (valid and expired) visas.
4. Face photograph: please see the information on the Photo Specification page.
5. Travel health insurance to cover the possible expenses related to medical assistance, hospitalization and repatriation, with the minimum coverage of EUR 30 000. The health insurance must be valid for all Schengen Area Member States, during the entire stay. Applicants for a multiple-entry visa must have travel health insurance policy that covers the period of the first visit to the Schengen Area.
6. Proof of residence for nationals other than South African: a photocopy of the stay permit.
7. Means of transportation and intention to return to the country of residence: reservation of return travel ticket for airplane, bus, or boat; registration card and driver's license if travelling by car; if the person is travelling to a third country, then proof of itinerary (travel ticket, etc.).
8. Proof of the purpose of stay in Croatia: Letter of Guarantee by Legal Person: in original or a photocopy if the original is deposited at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Croatia as per the following instructions; with the Letter of Guarantee, the guarantor shall enclose a proof of solvency (BON 1 or BON 2 Forms or a confirmation issued by the competent Commercial Court in the Republic of Croatia that the liquidation procedures have not been initiated). Letter of invitation issued by a Croatian state authority, or the organizer of an international meeting or manifestation organized under the auspices of the Croatian Parliament, the President of the Republic of Croatia or the Government of the Republic of Croatia. 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.
9. Documents proving sufficient funds to support the stay in the Schengen Area and to return to the state of residence or to travel to a third state: 70 EUR per day of the estimated stay in Croatia. Supporting documents may include: pay slips and/or recent bank account statements confirming the balance and transactions in the last three months etc. Exceptionally, if the Letter of Guarantee indicates that the guarantor is fully covering all the expenses related to the trip, the applicant can be exempt from the requirement of presenting own proof of sufficient funds.
10. Proof of professional or student status: evidence of employment, if self-employed: a certification from SA Companies and Intellectual Property Commission or SA Revenue Service is required; if student: Letter from school/ college/ university certifying the student status of the applicant.
11. For minors and persons deprived of legal capacity: visa application shall be submitted by a parent or the legal representative. For minors the birth certificate and both parent’s certified copies of IDs or passports must be attached. If minor travels alone: certified consent by both parents; 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. For persons deprived of legal capacity the relevant court papers must be attached.

Any document attached shall not be older than three months. Croatian Embassy in Pretoria may require you to submit additional supporting documents and/or certified translation as well as the international certification (Apostille) of the public documents (e.g. birth and marriage certificates) during the visa application process.

Photo Specifications

The photographs must be:

• no more than 6-months old
• 35–40mm in width
• close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph
• in sharp focus and clear
• of high quality with no ink marks or creases

The photographs must:

• show you looking directly at the camera
• show your skin tones naturally
• have appropriate brightness and contrast
• be printed on high quality paper, and at high resolution

Photographs taken with a digital camera must be high quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper.

Information on the photographic specifications for the photograph to be submitted by applicants can be found under this link to the relevant ICAO document:
http://www.icao.int/Security/mrtd/Downloads/Technical%20Reports/Annex_A-Photograph_Guidelines.pdf

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If the presented photo does not follow these requirements your application will be considered incomplete!

Processing Time

Applications can be lodged no more than 6 months before the start of the intended trip. Seafarers travelling in the performance of their duties can lodge their application up to 9 months before the start of the intended trip. Applications must be submitted by applicants themselves; or in the case of minors by a parent or legal guardian, no later than 15 days before the intended departure and that only through VFS Global.

It is recommended that applications are lodged early, considering national holidays of Croatia and of South Africa, as those may affect processing times. Last minute submission slots are limited or completely unavailable. Holders of a multiple-entry visa (valid for a period of at least six months) may lodge the application for a new visa before the expiry of that visa.

The standard processing time of 15 days can be extended to 45 days if the supporting documents are not submitted as per the requirements or due to other factors and/or justified reasons.

The original passport needs to be presented at the time of the application. In case you need to travel and cannot leave your passport in the Embassy for the processing time you can get it back immediately after filing the application in person. After the visa has been approved you need to resubmit the passport for the issue of the visa.

Download Forms

Visa application form (VAF) should be completed digitally on your computer for all the applicants, including all minors. The form needs to be signed personally by the applicant on the last page. For minors, the application must be signed by one of the parents or a legal guardian.

Electronically filled visa application form must be submitted to the VFS with the on-line application serial number and PIN. Please ensure to bring your Serial number with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277; PIN: e.g. STGII).

Overview

On 1 January 2023 Croatia became a Schengen area Member State (Schengen acquis is fully applicable in Croatia). Citizens of South Africa who plan to visit Croatia are required to obtain a visa before departure. Foreign nationals residing in South Africa should check whether they require a visa for Croatia.

A visa allows foreigners to stay in Croatia or other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any period of 180 days. Time spent in Croatia is added to the time spent in other Schengen countries. Short-stay Visa Calculator of permitted stay can be used as a helping tool to calculate travel days remaining under a Schengen short-stay visa.

If one plans to visit more than one Schengen country in the course of one trip, such Schengen visa application must be submitted to the representative of the country that is applicant’s main destination based on the length of the stay or the purpose of his/her stay. If several Schengen area countries are visited but the main destination cannot be determined, such applications must be submitted to the representative of the Schengen country that is applicant’s first point of entry into the Schengen area.

When entering and leaving the Schengen area, a valid passport must be shown. There is generally no passport control at the borders between Schengen area member states. Holders of valid visas or residence permits in one of the Schengen area countries, may also visit the other Schengen countries. All visas state how many times one can enter Schengen area (one, two or more entries). NB: if visa is only valid for one entry, and if holder of such a visa leaves the Schengen area, for example to go to the UK, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, re-entry to Schengen is not possible without a new visa. It is therefore important that applicants state in their visa application how many times they will be travelling in and out of the Schengen area during their visit.

Foreign nationals who have been registered in the Schengen Information System (SIS) shall not be allowed to enter the Schengen area (e.g. if one has been expelled from Croatia or another Schengen country).

Foreign nationals cannot work in Croatia on the basis of a short-term visa. Applicants may be required to come for a personal interview with the visa officer at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Pretoria. Submitting a visa application, including all the required documents, does not automatically mean that the visa will be issued. Furthermore, an issued visa is not a guarantee that a foreign citizen will be permitted to enter the Republic of Croatia. On every crossing of the border, the police may require foreign citizens to present all relevant documents, including copies of the Letters of Guarantee for both private and business visits. Visa application fees are non-refundable once the application has been accepted at the Embassy. Any falsification of the documents and the use of such documents may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Visa Fees

Fees are due on the visa application when applying.

Applicants may choose to pay at the Visa Application Centre using Credit/Debit Card or deposit the amount at the below Bank. Proof of payment must be received with the visa application. The name of the applicant must be clearly stated as reference on the proof of payment or a bank deposit slip or internet banking advice.

BANKING DETAILS FOR VISAS ONLY:

*Please use your Passport Number as Reference.

The following are exempt from short-term visa (visa C) fees upon application: close family members of a Croatian national (spouse and children up to the age of 21); close family members of citizens of the EEA Member States and Switzerland (spouse and children up to the age of 21) – NB: exceptions apply ; all children up to the age of 12; holders of diplomatic and service passports travelling in their official capacity; pupils, students, postgraduate students and teachers accompanying them to attend school; researchers coming to conduct research, as provided for by the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005; representatives of non-profit organizations up to the age of 25, who are to attend seminars, conferences, sport, cultural or educational events organized by non-profit organizations.

All fee exemptions shall be double verified. In case an exemption was not justified, the applicant will be contacted by the Embassy to pay the applicable fee before the file is assessed.

Please note:

• The applicable fees are as per the current EUR/ZAR exchange rate and are subject to change.
• All fees are non-refundable.
• There is a R 760 mandatory courier fee applicable per application if you submit your visa application at the Cape Town branch.
• The Visa Application Centre offers the following services at a nominal additional cost:
  • Courier services
  • SMS Tracking Facility
  • All service charges are to be paid at the Visa Application Centre through Debit/Credit card only in South African ZAR (VFS service charge and other charges).

Documents Required

All applicants are requested to read the following basic requirements carefully and conform to the same while submitting the application.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not yet purchased one, please click here.

1. Visa application form: must be digitally filled out, printed and signed by the applicant, or a parent or legal guardian on behalf of minors. Please ensure to bring your Serial number and PIN with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277 PIN: e.g. STGII). Hand written forms will not be accepted. When completing the online application, please take note that in STEP 4/6 of the online application the Guarantor / Inviting person information is to be filled out ONLY in case of private and business visits (Letters of Guarantee to be attached). Applicants for tourist visas should skip this part and should fill out only the booked hotel/ accommodation/ apartment information in the subsequent part (Information on the residence in Croatia). Detailed information is available at the consular information section of the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

2. The following documents must be scanned and uploaded: Face Photograph 35x45mm; Passport – photo page; Travel Health Insurance; Transportation Booking – e.g. an Air Ticket; Bank Statement. Should you not attach the required documents please inform the VFS Global Visa Application Staff to assist in accessing the application, scanning and uploading the supporting documents, before submission to the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

3. Passport: issued within the last 10 years, with expiry date a minimum of 3 months after the departure from Croatia and/or Schengen Area, containing at least two empty pages. Please copy all previous (valid and expired) visas.
4. Face photograph: please see the information on the Photo Specification page.
5. Travel health insurance to cover the possible expenses related to medical assistance, hospitalization and repatriation, with the minimum coverage of EUR 30 000. The health insurance must be valid for all Schengen Area Member States, during the entire stay. Applicants for a multiple-entry visa must have travel health insurance policy that covers the period of the first visit to the Schengen Area.
6. Proof of residence for nationals other than South African: a photocopy of the stay permit.
7. Means of transportation and intention to return to the country of residence: reservation of return travel ticket for airplane, bus, or boat; registration card and driver's license if travelling by car; if the person is travelling to a third country, then proof of itinerary (travel ticket, etc.).
8. Proof of the purpose of stay in Croatia: Letter of Guarantee by Legal Person: in original or a photocopy if the original is deposited at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Croatia as per the following instructions; with the Letter of Guarantee, the guarantor shall enclose a proof of solvency (BON 1 or BON 2 Forms or a confirmation issued by the competent Commercial Court in the Republic of Croatia that the liquidation procedures have not been initiated). Letter of invitation issued by a Croatian state authority, or the organizer of an international meeting or manifestation organized under the auspices of the Croatian Parliament, the President of the Republic of Croatia or the Government of the Republic of Croatia. 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.
9. Documents proving sufficient funds to support the stay in the Schengen Area and to return to the state of residence or to travel to a third state: 70 EUR per day of the estimated stay in Croatia. Supporting documents may include: pay slips and/or recent bank account statements confirming the balance and transactions in the last three months etc. Exceptionally, if the Letter of Guarantee indicates that the guarantor is fully covering all the expenses related to the trip, the applicant can be exempt from the requirement of presenting own proof of sufficient funds.
10. Proof of professional or student status: evidence of employment, if self-employed: a certification from SA Companies and Intellectual Property Commission or SA Revenue Service is required; if student: Letter from school/ college/ university certifying the student status of the applicant.
11. For minors and persons deprived of legal capacity: visa application shall be submitted by a parent or the legal representative. For minors the birth certificate and both parent’s certified copies of IDs or passports must be attached. If minor travels alone: certified consent by both parents; 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. For persons deprived of legal capacity the relevant court papers must be attached.

Any document attached shall not be older than three months. Croatian Embassy in Pretoria may require you to submit additional supporting documents and/or certified translation as well as the international certification (Apostille) of the public documents (e.g. birth and marriage certificates) during the visa application process.

Photo Specifications

The photographs must be:

• no more than 6-months old
• 35–40mm in width
• close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph
• in sharp focus and clear
• of high quality with no ink marks or creases

The photographs must:

• show you looking directly at the camera
• show your skin tones naturally
• have appropriate brightness and contrast
• be printed on high quality paper, and at high resolution

Photographs taken with a digital camera must be high quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper.

Information on the photographic specifications for the photograph to be submitted by applicants can be found under this link to the relevant ICAO document:
http://www.icao.int/Security/mrtd/Downloads/Technical%20Reports/Annex_A-Photograph_Guidelines.pdf

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If the presented photo does not follow these requirements your application will be considered incomplete!

Processing Time

Applications can be lodged no more than 6 months before the start of the intended trip. Seafarers travelling in the performance of their duties can lodge their application up to 9 months before the start of the intended trip. Applications must be submitted by applicants themselves; or in the case of minors by a parent or legal guardian, no later than 15 days before the intended departure and that only through VFS Global.

It is recommended that applications are lodged early, considering national holidays of Croatia and of South Africa, as those may affect processing times. Last minute submission slots are limited or completely unavailable. Holders of a multiple-entry visa (valid for a period of at least six months) may lodge the application for a new visa before the expiry of that visa.

The standard processing time of 15 days can be extended to 45 days if the supporting documents are not submitted as per the requirements or due to other factors and/or justified reasons.

The original passport needs to be presented at the time of the application. In case you need to travel and cannot leave your passport in the Embassy for the processing time you can get it back immediately after filing the application in person. After the visa has been approved you need to resubmit the passport for the issue of the visa.

Download Forms

Visa application form (VAF) should be completed digitally on your computer for all the applicants, including all minors. The form needs to be signed personally by the applicant on the last page. For minors, the application must be signed by one of the parents or a legal guardian.

Electronically filled visa application form must be submitted to the VFS with the on-line application serial number and PIN. Please ensure to bring your Serial number with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277; PIN: e.g. STGII).

Overview

On 1 January 2023 Croatia became a Schengen area Member State (Schengen acquis is fully applicable in Croatia). Citizens of South Africa who plan to visit Croatia are required to obtain a visa before departure. Foreign nationals residing in South Africa should check whether they require a visa for Croatia.

A visa allows foreigners to stay in Croatia or other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any period of 180 days. Time spent in Croatia is added to the time spent in other Schengen countries. Short-stay Visa Calculator of permitted stay can be used as a helping tool to calculate travel days remaining under a Schengen short-stay visa.

If one plans to visit more than one Schengen country in the course of one trip, such Schengen visa application must be submitted to the representative of the country that is applicant’s main destination based on the length of the stay or the purpose of his/her stay. If several Schengen area countries are visited but the main destination cannot be determined, such applications must be submitted to the representative of the Schengen country that is applicant’s first point of entry into the Schengen area.

When entering and leaving the Schengen area, a valid passport must be shown. There is generally no passport control at the borders between Schengen area member states. Holders of valid visas or residence permits in one of the Schengen area countries, may also visit the other Schengen countries. All visas state how many times one can enter Schengen area (one, two or more entries). NB: if visa is only valid for one entry, and if holder of such a visa leaves the Schengen area, for example to go to the UK, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, re-entry to Schengen is not possible without a new visa. It is therefore important that applicants state in their visa application how many times they will be travelling in and out of the Schengen area during their visit.

Foreign nationals who have been registered in the Schengen Information System (SIS) shall not be allowed to enter the Schengen area (e.g. if one has been expelled from Croatia or another Schengen country).

Foreign nationals cannot work in Croatia on the basis of a short-term visa. Applicants may be required to come for a personal interview with the visa officer at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Pretoria. Submitting a visa application, including all the required documents, does not automatically mean that the visa will be issued. Furthermore, an issued visa is not a guarantee that a foreign citizen will be permitted to enter the Republic of Croatia. On every crossing of the border, the police may require foreign citizens to present all relevant documents, including copies of the Letters of Guarantee for both private and business visits. Visa application fees are non-refundable once the application has been accepted at the Embassy. Any falsification of the documents and the use of such documents may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Visa Fees

Fees are due on the visa application when applying.

Applicants may choose to pay at the Visa Application Centre using Credit/Debit Card or deposit the amount at the below Bank. Proof of payment must be received with the visa application. The name of the applicant must be clearly stated as reference on the proof of payment or a bank deposit slip or internet banking advice.

BANKING DETAILS FOR VISAS ONLY:

*Please use your Passport Number as Reference.

The following are exempt from short-term visa (visa C) fees upon application: close family members of a Croatian national (spouse and children up to the age of 21); close family members of citizens of the EEA Member States and Switzerland (spouse and children up to the age of 21) – NB: exceptions apply ; all children up to the age of 12; holders of diplomatic and service passports travelling in their official capacity; pupils, students, postgraduate students and teachers accompanying them to attend school; researchers coming to conduct research, as provided for by the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005; representatives of non-profit organizations up to the age of 25, who are to attend seminars, conferences, sport, cultural or educational events organized by non-profit organizations.

All fee exemptions shall be double verified. In case an exemption was not justified, the applicant will be contacted by the Embassy to pay the applicable fee before the file is assessed.

Please note:

• The applicable fees are as per the current EUR/ZAR exchange rate and are subject to change.
• All fees are non-refundable.
• There is a R 760 mandatory courier fee applicable per application if you submit your visa application at the Cape Town branch.
• The Visa Application Centre offers the following services at a nominal additional cost:
  • Courier services
  • SMS Tracking Facility
  • All service charges are to be paid at the Visa Application Centre through Debit/Credit card only in South African ZAR (VFS service charge and other charges).

Documents Required

All applicants are requested to read the following basic requirements carefully and conform to the same while submitting the application.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not yet purchased one, please click here.

1. Visa application form: must be digitally filled out, printed and signed by the applicant, or a parent or legal guardian on behalf of minors. Please ensure to bring your Serial number and PIN with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277 PIN: e.g. STGII). Hand written forms will not be accepted. When completing the online application, please take note that in STEP 4/6 of the online application the Guarantor / Inviting person information is to be filled out ONLY in case of private and business visits (Letters of Guarantee to be attached). Applicants for tourist visas should skip this part and should fill out only the booked hotel/ accommodation/ apartment information in the subsequent part (Information on the residence in Croatia). Detailed information is available at the consular information section of the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

2. The following documents must be scanned and uploaded: Face Photograph 35x45mm; Passport – photo page; Travel Health Insurance; Transportation Booking – e.g. an Air Ticket; Bank Statement. Should you not attach the required documents please inform the VFS Global Visa Application Staff to assist in accessing the application, scanning and uploading the supporting documents, before submission to the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

3. Passport: issued within the last 10 years, with expiry date a minimum of 3 months after the departure from Croatia and/or Schengen Area, containing at least two empty pages. Please copy all previous (valid and expired) visas.
4. Face photograph: please see the information on the Photo Specification page.
5. Travel health insurance to cover the possible expenses related to medical assistance, hospitalization and repatriation, with the minimum coverage of EUR 30 000. The health insurance must be valid for all Schengen Area Member States, during the entire stay. Applicants for a multiple-entry visa must have travel health insurance policy that covers the period of the first visit to the Schengen Area.
6. Proof of residence for nationals other than South African: a photocopy of the stay permit.
7. Means of transportation and intention to return to the country of residence: reservation of return travel ticket for airplane, bus, or boat; registration card and driver's license if travelling by car; if the person is travelling to a third country, then proof of itinerary (travel ticket, etc.).
8. Proof of the purpose of stay in Croatia: Letter of Guarantee by Legal Person: in original or a photocopy if the original is deposited at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Croatia as per the following instructions; with the Letter of Guarantee, the guarantor shall enclose a proof of solvency (BON 1 or BON 2 Forms or a confirmation issued by the competent Commercial Court in the Republic of Croatia that the liquidation procedures have not been initiated). Letter of invitation issued by a Croatian state authority, or the organizer of an international meeting or manifestation organized under the auspices of the Croatian Parliament, the President of the Republic of Croatia or the Government of the Republic of Croatia. 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.
9. Documents proving sufficient funds to support the stay in the Schengen Area and to return to the state of residence or to travel to a third state: 70 EUR per day of the estimated stay in Croatia. Supporting documents may include: pay slips and/or recent bank account statements confirming the balance and transactions in the last three months etc. Exceptionally, if the Letter of Guarantee indicates that the guarantor is fully covering all the expenses related to the trip, the applicant can be exempt from the requirement of presenting own proof of sufficient funds.
10. Proof of professional or student status: evidence of employment, if self-employed: a certification from SA Companies and Intellectual Property Commission or SA Revenue Service is required; if student: Letter from school/ college/ university certifying the student status of the applicant.
11. For minors and persons deprived of legal capacity: visa application shall be submitted by a parent or the legal representative. For minors the birth certificate and both parent’s certified copies of IDs or passports must be attached. If minor travels alone: certified consent by both parents; 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. For persons deprived of legal capacity the relevant court papers must be attached.

Any document attached shall not be older than three months. Croatian Embassy in Pretoria may require you to submit additional supporting documents and/or certified translation as well as the international certification (Apostille) of the public documents (e.g. birth and marriage certificates) during the visa application process.

Photo Specifications

The photographs must be:

• no more than 6-months old
• 35–40mm in width
• close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph
• in sharp focus and clear
• of high quality with no ink marks or creases

The photographs must:

• show you looking directly at the camera
• show your skin tones naturally
• have appropriate brightness and contrast
• be printed on high quality paper, and at high resolution

Photographs taken with a digital camera must be high quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper.

Information on the photographic specifications for the photograph to be submitted by applicants can be found under this link to the relevant ICAO document:
http://www.icao.int/Security/mrtd/Downloads/Technical%20Reports/Annex_A-Photograph_Guidelines.pdf

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If the presented photo does not follow these requirements your application will be considered incomplete!

Processing Time

Applications can be lodged no more than 6 months before the start of the intended trip. Seafarers travelling in the performance of their duties can lodge their application up to 9 months before the start of the intended trip. Applications must be submitted by applicants themselves; or in the case of minors by a parent or legal guardian, no later than 15 days before the intended departure and that only through VFS Global.

It is recommended that applications are lodged early, considering national holidays of Croatia and of South Africa, as those may affect processing times. Last minute submission slots are limited or completely unavailable. Holders of a multiple-entry visa (valid for a period of at least six months) may lodge the application for a new visa before the expiry of that visa.

The standard processing time of 15 days can be extended to 45 days if the supporting documents are not submitted as per the requirements or due to other factors and/or justified reasons.

The original passport needs to be presented at the time of the application. In case you need to travel and cannot leave your passport in the Embassy for the processing time you can get it back immediately after filing the application in person. After the visa has been approved you need to resubmit the passport for the issue of the visa.

Download Forms

Visa application form (VAF) should be completed digitally on your computer for all the applicants, including all minors. The form needs to be signed personally by the applicant on the last page. For minors, the application must be signed by one of the parents or a legal guardian.

Electronically filled visa application form must be submitted to the VFS with the on-line application serial number and PIN. Please ensure to bring your Serial number with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277; PIN: e.g. STGII).

Overview

On 1 January 2023 Croatia became a Schengen area Member State (Schengen acquis is fully applicable in Croatia). Citizens of South Africa who plan to visit Croatia are required to obtain a visa before departure. Foreign nationals residing in South Africa should check whether they require a visa for Croatia.

A visa allows foreigners to stay in Croatia or other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any period of 180 days. Time spent in Croatia is added to the time spent in other Schengen countries. Short-stay Visa Calculator of permitted stay can be used as a helping tool to calculate travel days remaining under a Schengen short-stay visa.

If one plans to visit more than one Schengen country in the course of one trip, such Schengen visa application must be submitted to the representative of the country that is applicant’s main destination based on the length of the stay or the purpose of his/her stay. If several Schengen area countries are visited but the main destination cannot be determined, such applications must be submitted to the representative of the Schengen country that is applicant’s first point of entry into the Schengen area.

When entering and leaving the Schengen area, a valid passport must be shown. There is generally no passport control at the borders between Schengen area member states. Holders of valid visas or residence permits in one of the Schengen area countries, may also visit the other Schengen countries. All visas state how many times one can enter Schengen area (one, two or more entries). NB: if visa is only valid for one entry, and if holder of such a visa leaves the Schengen area, for example to go to the UK, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, re-entry to Schengen is not possible without a new visa. It is therefore important that applicants state in their visa application how many times they will be travelling in and out of the Schengen area during their visit.

Foreign nationals who have been registered in the Schengen Information System (SIS) shall not be allowed to enter the Schengen area (e.g. if one has been expelled from Croatia or another Schengen country).

Foreign nationals cannot work in Croatia on the basis of a short-term visa. Applicants may be required to come for a personal interview with the visa officer at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Pretoria. Submitting a visa application, including all the required documents, does not automatically mean that the visa will be issued. Furthermore, an issued visa is not a guarantee that a foreign citizen will be permitted to enter the Republic of Croatia. On every crossing of the border, the police may require foreign citizens to present all relevant documents, including copies of the Letters of Guarantee for both private and business visits. Visa application fees are non-refundable once the application has been accepted at the Embassy. Any falsification of the documents and the use of such documents may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Visa Fees

Fees are due on the visa application when applying.

Applicants may choose to pay at the Visa Application Centre using Credit/Debit Card or deposit the amount at the below Bank. Proof of payment must be received with the visa application. The name of the applicant must be clearly stated as reference on the proof of payment or a bank deposit slip or internet banking advice.

BANKING DETAILS FOR VISAS ONLY:

*Please use your Passport Number as Reference.

The following are exempt from short-term visa (visa C) fees upon application: close family members of a Croatian national (spouse and children up to the age of 21); close family members of citizens of the EEA Member States and Switzerland (spouse and children up to the age of 21) – NB: exceptions apply ; all children up to the age of 12; holders of diplomatic and service passports travelling in their official capacity; pupils, students, postgraduate students and teachers accompanying them to attend school; researchers coming to conduct research, as provided for by the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005; representatives of non-profit organizations up to the age of 25, who are to attend seminars, conferences, sport, cultural or educational events organized by non-profit organizations.

All fee exemptions shall be double verified. In case an exemption was not justified, the applicant will be contacted by the Embassy to pay the applicable fee before the file is assessed.

Please note:

• The applicable fees are as per the current EUR/ZAR exchange rate and are subject to change.
• All fees are non-refundable.
• There is a R 760 mandatory courier fee applicable per application if you submit your visa application at the Cape Town branch.
• The Visa Application Centre offers the following services at a nominal additional cost:
  • Courier services
  • SMS Tracking Facility
  • All service charges are to be paid at the Visa Application Centre through Debit/Credit card only in South African ZAR (VFS service charge and other charges).

Documents Required

All applicants are requested to read the following basic requirements carefully and conform to the same while submitting the application.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not yet purchased one, please click here.

1. Visa application form: must be digitally filled out, printed and signed by the applicant, or a parent or legal guardian on behalf of minors. Please ensure to bring your Serial number and PIN with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277 PIN: e.g. STGII). Hand written forms will not be accepted. When completing the online application, please take note that in STEP 4/6 of the online application the Guarantor / Inviting person information is to be filled out ONLY in case of private and business visits (Letters of Guarantee to be attached). Applicants for tourist visas should skip this part and should fill out only the booked hotel/ accommodation/ apartment information in the subsequent part (Information on the residence in Croatia). Detailed information is available at the consular information section of the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

2. The following documents must be scanned and uploaded: Face Photograph 35x45mm; Passport – photo page; Travel Health Insurance; Transportation Booking – e.g. an Air Ticket; Bank Statement. Should you not attach the required documents please inform the VFS Global Visa Application Staff to assist in accessing the application, scanning and uploading the supporting documents, before submission to the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

3. Passport: issued within the last 10 years, with expiry date a minimum of 3 months after the departure from Croatia and/or Schengen Area, containing at least two empty pages. Please copy all previous (valid and expired) visas.
4. Face photograph: please see the information on the Photo Specification page.
5. Travel health insurance to cover the possible expenses related to medical assistance, hospitalization and repatriation, with the minimum coverage of EUR 30 000. The health insurance must be valid for all Schengen Area Member States, during the entire stay. Applicants for a multiple-entry visa must have travel health insurance policy that covers the period of the first visit to the Schengen Area.
6. Proof of residence for nationals other than South African: a photocopy of the stay permit.
7. Means of transportation and intention to return to the country of residence: reservation of return travel ticket for airplane, bus, or boat; registration card and driver's license if travelling by car; if the person is travelling to a third country, then proof of itinerary (travel ticket, etc.).
8. Proof of the purpose of stay in Croatia: Letter of Guarantee by Legal Person: in original or a photocopy if the original is deposited at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Croatia as per the following instructions; with the Letter of Guarantee, the guarantor shall enclose a proof of solvency (BON 1 or BON 2 Forms or a confirmation issued by the competent Commercial Court in the Republic of Croatia that the liquidation procedures have not been initiated). Letter of invitation issued by a Croatian state authority, or the organizer of an international meeting or manifestation organized under the auspices of the Croatian Parliament, the President of the Republic of Croatia or the Government of the Republic of Croatia. 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.
9. Documents proving sufficient funds to support the stay in the Schengen Area and to return to the state of residence or to travel to a third state: 70 EUR per day of the estimated stay in Croatia. Supporting documents may include: pay slips and/or recent bank account statements confirming the balance and transactions in the last three months etc. Exceptionally, if the Letter of Guarantee indicates that the guarantor is fully covering all the expenses related to the trip, the applicant can be exempt from the requirement of presenting own proof of sufficient funds.
10. Proof of professional or student status: evidence of employment, if self-employed: a certification from SA Companies and Intellectual Property Commission or SA Revenue Service is required; if student: Letter from school/ college/ university certifying the student status of the applicant.
11. For minors and persons deprived of legal capacity: visa application shall be submitted by a parent or the legal representative. For minors the birth certificate and both parent’s certified copies of IDs or passports must be attached. If minor travels alone: certified consent by both parents; 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. For persons deprived of legal capacity the relevant court papers must be attached.

Any document attached shall not be older than three months. Croatian Embassy in Pretoria may require you to submit additional supporting documents and/or certified translation as well as the international certification (Apostille) of the public documents (e.g. birth and marriage certificates) during the visa application process.

Photo Specifications

The photographs must be:

• no more than 6-months old
• 35–40mm in width
• close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph
• in sharp focus and clear
• of high quality with no ink marks or creases

The photographs must:

• show you looking directly at the camera
• show your skin tones naturally
• have appropriate brightness and contrast
• be printed on high quality paper, and at high resolution

Photographs taken with a digital camera must be high quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper.

Information on the photographic specifications for the photograph to be submitted by applicants can be found under this link to the relevant ICAO document:
http://www.icao.int/Security/mrtd/Downloads/Technical%20Reports/Annex_A-Photograph_Guidelines.pdf

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If the presented photo does not follow these requirements your application will be considered incomplete!

Processing Time

Applications can be lodged no more than 6 months before the start of the intended trip. Seafarers travelling in the performance of their duties can lodge their application up to 9 months before the start of the intended trip. Applications must be submitted by applicants themselves; or in the case of minors by a parent or legal guardian, no later than 15 days before the intended departure and that only through VFS Global.

It is recommended that applications are lodged early, considering national holidays of Croatia and of South Africa, as those may affect processing times. Last minute submission slots are limited or completely unavailable. Holders of a multiple-entry visa (valid for a period of at least six months) may lodge the application for a new visa before the expiry of that visa.

The standard processing time of 15 days can be extended to 45 days if the supporting documents are not submitted as per the requirements or due to other factors and/or justified reasons.

The original passport needs to be presented at the time of the application. In case you need to travel and cannot leave your passport in the Embassy for the processing time you can get it back immediately after filing the application in person. After the visa has been approved you need to resubmit the passport for the issue of the visa.

Download Forms

Visa application form (VAF) should be completed digitally on your computer for all the applicants, including all minors. The form needs to be signed personally by the applicant on the last page. For minors, the application must be signed by one of the parents or a legal guardian.

Electronically filled visa application form must be submitted to the VFS with the on-line application serial number and PIN. Please ensure to bring your Serial number with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277; PIN: e.g. STGII).

Overview

On 1 January 2023 Croatia became a Schengen area Member State (Schengen acquis is fully applicable in Croatia). Citizens of South Africa who plan to visit Croatia are required to obtain a visa before departure. Foreign nationals residing in South Africa should check whether they require a visa for Croatia.

A visa allows foreigners to stay in Croatia or other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any period of 180 days. Time spent in Croatia is added to the time spent in other Schengen countries. Short-stay Visa Calculator of permitted stay can be used as a helping tool to calculate travel days remaining under a Schengen short-stay visa.

If one plans to visit more than one Schengen country in the course of one trip, such Schengen visa application must be submitted to the representative of the country that is applicant’s main destination based on the length of the stay or the purpose of his/her stay. If several Schengen area countries are visited but the main destination cannot be determined, such applications must be submitted to the representative of the Schengen country that is applicant’s first point of entry into the Schengen area.

When entering and leaving the Schengen area, a valid passport must be shown. There is generally no passport control at the borders between Schengen area member states. Holders of valid visas or residence permits in one of the Schengen area countries, may also visit the other Schengen countries. All visas state how many times one can enter Schengen area (one, two or more entries). NB: if visa is only valid for one entry, and if holder of such a visa leaves the Schengen area, for example to go to the UK, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, re-entry to Schengen is not possible without a new visa. It is therefore important that applicants state in their visa application how many times they will be travelling in and out of the Schengen area during their visit.

Foreign nationals who have been registered in the Schengen Information System (SIS) shall not be allowed to enter the Schengen area (e.g. if one has been expelled from Croatia or another Schengen country).

Foreign nationals cannot work in Croatia on the basis of a short-term visa. Applicants may be required to come for a personal interview with the visa officer at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Pretoria. Submitting a visa application, including all the required documents, does not automatically mean that the visa will be issued. Furthermore, an issued visa is not a guarantee that a foreign citizen will be permitted to enter the Republic of Croatia. On every crossing of the border, the police may require foreign citizens to present all relevant documents, including copies of the Letters of Guarantee for both private and business visits. Visa application fees are non-refundable once the application has been accepted at the Embassy. Any falsification of the documents and the use of such documents may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Visa Fees

Fees are due on the visa application when applying.

Applicants may choose to pay at the Visa Application Centre using Credit/Debit Card or deposit the amount at the below Bank. Proof of payment must be received with the visa application. The name of the applicant must be clearly stated as reference on the proof of payment or a bank deposit slip or internet banking advice.

BANKING DETAILS FOR VISAS ONLY:

*Please use your Passport Number as Reference.

The following are exempt from short-term visa (visa C) fees upon application: close family members of a Croatian national (spouse and children up to the age of 21); close family members of citizens of the EEA Member States and Switzerland (spouse and children up to the age of 21) – NB: exceptions apply ; all children up to the age of 12; holders of diplomatic and service passports travelling in their official capacity; pupils, students, postgraduate students and teachers accompanying them to attend school; researchers coming to conduct research, as provided for by the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005; representatives of non-profit organizations up to the age of 25, who are to attend seminars, conferences, sport, cultural or educational events organized by non-profit organizations.

All fee exemptions shall be double verified. In case an exemption was not justified, the applicant will be contacted by the Embassy to pay the applicable fee before the file is assessed.

Please note:

• The applicable fees are as per the current EUR/ZAR exchange rate and are subject to change.
• All fees are non-refundable.
• There is a R 760 mandatory courier fee applicable per application if you submit your visa application at the Cape Town branch.
• The Visa Application Centre offers the following services at a nominal additional cost:
  • Courier services
  • SMS Tracking Facility
  • All service charges are to be paid at the Visa Application Centre through Debit/Credit card only in South African ZAR (VFS service charge and other charges).

Documents Required

All applicants are requested to read the following basic requirements carefully and conform to the same while submitting the application.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not yet purchased one, please click here.

1. Visa application form: must be digitally filled out, printed and signed by the applicant, or a parent or legal guardian on behalf of minors. Please ensure to bring your Serial number and PIN with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277 PIN: e.g. STGII). Hand written forms will not be accepted. When completing the online application, please take note that in STEP 4/6 of the online application the Guarantor / Inviting person information is to be filled out ONLY in case of private and business visits (Letters of Guarantee to be attached). Applicants for tourist visas should skip this part and should fill out only the booked hotel/ accommodation/ apartment information in the subsequent part (Information on the residence in Croatia). Detailed information is available at the consular information section of the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

2. The following documents must be scanned and uploaded: Face Photograph 35x45mm; Passport – photo page; Travel Health Insurance; Transportation Booking – e.g. an Air Ticket; Bank Statement. Should you not attach the required documents please inform the VFS Global Visa Application Staff to assist in accessing the application, scanning and uploading the supporting documents, before submission to the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria.

3. Passport: issued within the last 10 years, with expiry date a minimum of 3 months after the departure from Croatia and/or Schengen Area, containing at least two empty pages. Please copy all previous (valid and expired) visas.
4. Face photograph: please see the information on the Photo Specification page.
5. Travel health insurance to cover the possible expenses related to medical assistance, hospitalization and repatriation, with the minimum coverage of EUR 30 000. The health insurance must be valid for all Schengen Area Member States, during the entire stay. Applicants for a multiple-entry visa must have travel health insurance policy that covers the period of the first visit to the Schengen Area.
6. Proof of residence for nationals other than South African: a photocopy of the stay permit.
7. Means of transportation and intention to return to the country of residence: reservation of return travel ticket for airplane, bus, or boat; registration card and driver's license if travelling by car; if the person is travelling to a third country, then proof of itinerary (travel ticket, etc.).
8. Proof of the purpose of stay in Croatia: Letter of Guarantee by Legal Person: in original or a photocopy if the original is deposited at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Croatia as per the following instructions; with the Letter of Guarantee, the guarantor shall enclose a proof of solvency (BON 1 or BON 2 Forms or a confirmation issued by the competent Commercial Court in the Republic of Croatia that the liquidation procedures have not been initiated). Letter of invitation issued by a Croatian state authority, or the organizer of an international meeting or manifestation organized under the auspices of the Croatian Parliament, the President of the Republic of Croatia or the Government of the Republic of Croatia. 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.
9. Documents proving sufficient funds to support the stay in the Schengen Area and to return to the state of residence or to travel to a third state: 70 EUR per day of the estimated stay in Croatia. Supporting documents may include: pay slips and/or recent bank account statements confirming the balance and transactions in the last three months etc. Exceptionally, if the Letter of Guarantee indicates that the guarantor is fully covering all the expenses related to the trip, the applicant can be exempt from the requirement of presenting own proof of sufficient funds.
10. Proof of professional or student status: evidence of employment, if self-employed: a certification from SA Companies and Intellectual Property Commission or SA Revenue Service is required; if student: Letter from school/ college/ university certifying the student status of the applicant.
11. For minors and persons deprived of legal capacity: visa application shall be submitted by a parent or the legal representative. For minors the birth certificate and both parent’s certified copies of IDs or passports must be attached. If minor travels alone: certified consent by both parents; 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. For persons deprived of legal capacity the relevant court papers must be attached.

Any document attached shall not be older than three months. Croatian Embassy in Pretoria may require you to submit additional supporting documents and/or certified translation as well as the international certification (Apostille) of the public documents (e.g. birth and marriage certificates) during the visa application process.

Photo Specifications

The photographs must be:

• no more than 6-months old
• 35–40mm in width
• close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph
• in sharp focus and clear
• of high quality with no ink marks or creases

The photographs must:

• show you looking directly at the camera
• show your skin tones naturally
• have appropriate brightness and contrast
• be printed on high quality paper, and at high resolution

Photographs taken with a digital camera must be high quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper.

Information on the photographic specifications for the photograph to be submitted by applicants can be found under this link to the relevant ICAO document:
http://www.icao.int/Security/mrtd/Downloads/Technical%20Reports/Annex_A-Photograph_Guidelines.pdf

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If the presented photo does not follow these requirements your application will be considered incomplete!

Processing Time

Applications can be lodged no more than 6 months before the start of the intended trip. Seafarers travelling in the performance of their duties can lodge their application up to 9 months before the start of the intended trip. Applications must be submitted by applicants themselves; or in the case of minors by a parent or legal guardian, no later than 15 days before the intended departure and that only through VFS Global.

It is recommended that applications are lodged early, considering national holidays of Croatia and of South Africa, as those may affect processing times. Last minute submission slots are limited or completely unavailable. Holders of a multiple-entry visa (valid for a period of at least six months) may lodge the application for a new visa before the expiry of that visa.

The standard processing time of 15 days can be extended to 45 days if the supporting documents are not submitted as per the requirements or due to other factors and/or justified reasons.

The original passport needs to be presented at the time of the application. In case you need to travel and cannot leave your passport in the Embassy for the processing time you can get it back immediately after filing the application in person. After the visa has been approved you need to resubmit the passport for the issue of the visa.

Download Forms

Visa application form (VAF) should be completed digitally on your computer for all the applicants, including all minors. The form needs to be signed personally by the applicant on the last page. For minors, the application must be signed by one of the parents or a legal guardian.

Electronically filled visa application form must be submitted to the VFS with the on-line application serial number and PIN. Please ensure to bring your Serial number with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277; PIN: e.g. STGII).

Overview

Visa type D substitutes the procedure of short-term (type C) visa applications of third-country nationals who have been granted temporary stay or were issued stay and work permits by the competent Police Directorate or Police Administration in the Republic of Croatia.

The long-term visa is an approval to enter and stay in the territory of the Republic of Croatia for up to 30 days (within which an application for a biometric residency card should be submitted once the visa holder arrives to the Republic of Croatia) if a third-country national has been granted temporary stay for the purpose of:

• family reunification
• secondary school education
• university studies
• research
• humanitarian grounds
• life partnership
• work
• work of a posted worker
• stay of long-term residents in another EEA Member State
• stay of digital nomads
• other purposes.

Visa type D is issued to third-country nationals who have been granted temporary stay or have been issued stay and work permit, and are required to hold a short-term visa to enter the Republic of Croatia; for a maximum of 30-days' stay; for one (1) or multiple (MULT) entries; with the period of validity no longer than six months; long-term visa shall not become valid prior to the beginning of validity of the granted temporary stay or the issued stay and work permit in the Republic of Croatia; in a valid travel document in the form of the sticker also used for the issuance of visas type C; the letter “D” is entered into the category “Type of Visa”.

A long-term visa application shall be considered admissible if:

• it was submitted no earlier than two months before and no later than two months after the beginning of validity of temporary stay permit or the issued stay and work permit;
• it was submitted on a prescribed form;
• a travel document is presented along with the application with validity of at least three months longer than the validity of the granted temporary stay;
• the third-country national has been granted temporary stay or issued a stay and work permit in the Republic of Croatia;
• the prescribed administrative fee has been paid.

If the above conditions are not fulfilled, long-term visa application shall be considered inadmissible and all the documents enclosed shall be returned to the applicant.

Visa Fees

Fees are due on the visa application when applying.

Applicants may choose to pay at the Visa Application Centre using Credit/Debit Card or deposit the amount at the below Bank. Proof of payment must be received with the visa application. The name of the applicant must be clearly stated as reference on the proof of payment or a bank deposit slip or internet banking advice.

BANKING DETAILS FOR VISAS ONLY:

*Please use your Passport Number as Reference.

The following are exempt from long-term visa (visa D) fees upon application: all children up to the age of 12; family reunification – exempted in the case of family members of a Croatian national (spouse, children); third-country nationals who have been granted the temporary stay for the following purposes: research, secondary school education, university studies, humanitarian grounds.

Please note:

• The applicable fees are as per the current EUR/ZAR exchange rate and are subject to change.
• All fees are non-refundable.
• There is a R 760 mandatory courier fee applicable per application if you submit your visa application at the Cape Town branch.
• The Visa Application Centre offers the following services at a nominal additional cost:
  • Courier services
  • SMS Tracking Facility
  • All service charges are to be paid at the Visa Application Centre through Debit/Credit card only in South African ZAR (VFS service charge and other charges).

Documents Required

All applicants are requested to read the following basic requirements carefully and conform to the same while submitting the application.

For the full consolidated list of requirements, please see below.

• Long Term

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not yet purchased one, please click here.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not yet purchased one, please click here.

When applying for a long-term visa, the applicant is obliged to submit:

• filled in and personally signed prescribed long-term visa (type D) application form;
• valid travel document with at least two empty pages, issued within the past ten years, with validity at least three months longer than the validity of the granted temporary stay or issued stay and work permit;
• a face photograph, please see the information on the Photo Specification page;
• proof of granted temporary stay or issued stay and work permit in the Republic of Croatia (photocopy of the relevant administrative decision);
• proof of means of transportation (e.g. air ticket);
• Contract of Employment for applicants holding Stay and Work permits;
• proof of valid travel health insurance to cover the possible expenses (for the first 30 days in the Republic of Croatia) related to medical assistance and hospitalization, with the minimum coverage of EUR 30 000.

Visa application form must be digitally filled out, printed and signed by the applicant, or a parent or legal guardian on behalf of minors. Please ensure to bring your Serial number and PIN with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277 PIN: e.g. STGII). In addition to a digitally filled form, a hand filled Application for Long-Term Visa (D) should be also brought to the Visa Application Centre.

Detailed information is available at the consular information section of the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria. Croatian Embassy in Pretoria may require you to submit additional supporting documents and/or certified translation as well as the international certification (Apostille) of the public documents (e.g. birth and marriage certificates) during the visa application process.

Photo Specifications

The photographs must be:

• no more than 6-months old
• 35–40mm in width
• close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph
• in sharp focus and clear
• of high quality with no ink marks or creases

The photographs must:

• show you looking directly at the camera
• show your skin tones naturally
• have appropriate brightness and contrast
• be printed on high quality paper, and at high resolution

Photographs taken with a digital camera must be high quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper.

Information on the photographic specifications for the photograph to be submitted by applicants can be found under this link to the relevant ICAO document:
http://www.icao.int/Security/mrtd/Downloads/Technical%20Reports/Annex_A-Photograph_Guidelines.pdf

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If the presented photo does not follow these requirements your application will be considered incomplete!

Processing Time

Applications can be lodged no more than 6 months before the start of the intended trip. Seafarers travelling in the performance of their duties can lodge their application up to 9 months before the start of the intended trip. Applications must be submitted by applicants themselves; or in the case of minors by a parent or legal guardian, no later than 15 days before the intended departure and that only through VFS Global.

It is recommended that applications are lodged early, considering national holidays of Croatia and of South Africa, as those may affect processing times. Last minute submission slots are limited or completely unavailable. Holders of a multiple-entry visa (valid for a period of at least six months) may lodge the application for a new visa before the expiry of that visa.

The standard processing time of 15 days can be extended to 45 days if the supporting documents are not submitted as per the requirements or due to other factors and/or justified reasons.

The original passport needs to be presented at the time of the application. In case you need to travel and cannot leave your passport in the Embassy for the processing time you can get it back immediately after filing the application in person. After the visa has been approved you need to resubmit the passport for the issue of the visa.

Download Forms

Visa application form should be digitally filled in, printed and signed by the applicant, or a parent or legal guardian on behalf of minors.

Please ensure to bring your Serial number and PIN with your form (Serial number: e.g. 1434277 PIN: e.g. STGII). In addition to a digitally filled form, a hand filled Application for Long-Term Visa (D) should be also brought to the Visa Application Centre.

Detailed information is available at the consular information section of the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria. Croatian Embassy in Pretoria may require you to submit additional supporting documents and/or certified translation as well as the international certification (Apostille) of the public documents (e.g. birth and marriage certificates) during the visa application process.