CROATIA Issuing Authorities Embassy of the Republic of Croatia 1160 Stanza Bopape (Church) St, Colbyn, Pretoria 0083 P O Box 11335, Hatfield, 0028 Tel: (012) 342-1206 Consular Section fax : (012) 342 0790 / 0866 888 580 Email: ptacons@mvep.hr Web: http://za.mfa.hr Visa hours: Monday - Friday 0900-1200 NO VISA APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED AT THE EMBASSY ( For SA passport holders) SA passport holders : Visas can be applied for through the accredited Travel Agency, OR VFS. If applying through VFS, application form is to be filled out online - NO HANDWRITTEN FORMS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Applicant is to tile the application IN PERSON. Applicants from other counteries MUST APPLY IN PERSON at the Embassy. (Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Burundi, Comores, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 1 of 14
Visa Requirements Visas are required by ordinary South African passport holders. SOUTH AFRICAN TEMPORARY PASSPORTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. Holders of South African Diplomatic and South African Official passports do not need visas for Croatia. Holders of passports of EU countries do not need a visa for Croatia. Pursuant to the Government s decision, as of 1 January 2015 until the Republic of Croatia fully applies the provisions of the Schengen acquis, all foreigners with valid Schengen documents do not require an additional (Croatian) visa for entry and short-term stay in Croatia. Foreigners who are holders of: uniform visas (C) for two or multiple entries, valid for all Schengen Area member states; visa with limited territorial validity (LTV visa) for two or multiple entries, issued to a holder of a travel document that is not recognised by one or more but not all of the Schengen Area member States and which is valid for the territory of the Member Statesw recognising the travel document; long-stay visa (D) for stays exceeding three months, issued by one of the Schengen Area member states; residence permit issued by one of the Schengen Area member states; National visas for two or multiple entries and residence permits of Bulgaria; National visas for two or multiple entries and residence permits of Cyprus do not require a visa for transit through or intended stays in the territory of the Republic of Croatia not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period. The period of validity of the above mentioned Schengen documents shall cover the duration of the transit or stay. Abovementioned Schengen documents must be valid at the moment of leaving the Republic of Croatia. Information for the holders of the Residence card of a family member of a Union citizen: A family member of a citizen of an EU Member State or the European Economic Area may travel to Croatia without a visa, if (s)he has a valid passport and a valid Residence card of a family member of a Union citizen, and is travelling in the company of or is joining the family member who is a citizen of an EU Member State or the EEA. If the family member of a citizen of an EU Member State or the EEA does not have such a card, (s)he needs a Croatian visa that will be issued on the basis of an accelerated procedure, free of charge. Foreign travel agencies accredited with Embassy of the Republic of Croatia may act as intermediaries in the lodging of applications and obtaining visas for foreigners, who, in an organized manner and as a group, are travelling to the Republic of Croatia for the purpose of a https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 2 of 14
tourist visit. Accredited Travel Agency in SA: *. Sirius Travel, Ms Marijana Cizek Address: Sandhurst Close, 50 Kinross Avenue, Sandhurst 2196, Johannesburg P.O.Box 55959 Northlands 2116, Tel: 082 895 0429 / 010 1100 865 Fax: 0866 733 005 E-mail:crovisas@siriustravel.co.za, / marijana@siriustravel.co.za Web: www.siriustravel.co.za VFS Global Visa Application Centres: VFS PRETORIA: 1st Floor, Cherry Lane Office Park 114 Fehrsen Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk Brooklyn, Pretoria VFS CAPE TOWN: 47 Strand Street, Office 502, 5th Floor Cape Town, 8001 Tel: 012 425 3008 Tel hours: 0800-1230 and 1330-1600 E-mail: info.crza@vfshelpline.com Web: http://www.vfsglobal.com/croatia/southafrica/ REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (The documents attached shall be no older than three months) 1. Visa application form The application form can also be filled out online at https://crovisa.mvep.hr/. Once filled out, the form is to be printed, signed, and submitted with other required documents. The application is to be submitted no earlier than 3 months prior to the beginning of the planned journey. 2. Applicant's passport: issued within the last 10 years, with expiry date exceeding the expiry date of the requested visa by a minimum of three months, and containing at least two empty pages. 3. Face photograph: in colour, 35x45 mm; the person is to be captured with neutral facial expression, with his/her eyes open and mouth closed. The photograph of a person, who for religious or medical reasons is wearing a head cover, must show the person's cheeks, chin and forehead. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 3 of 14
4. Travel health insurance to cover the possible expenses related to repatriation, for health reasons, urgent medical assistance and/or urgent hospitalization, with the minimum coverage of EUR 30 000. The insurance must remain valid during the entire stay of the visitor in Croatia. 5. Accommodation reservation: hotel, private or other accommodation booking, real estate title deed or lease, proof of ownership or lease of a boat etc. Accommodation can be provided by the guarantor or the inviting party if so intended in the Letter of Guarantee or the Letter of Invitation. 6. Proof of residence: visitors staying temporarily in another state should submit a photocopy of the stay permit; 7. Means of transportation and intention to return to the country of residence: 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: Tourist visit: certificate of a paid tourist package, booking of a hotel or other accommodation etc.; Private or business visit: original Letter of Guarantee Visitors travelling on an invitation of a Croatian state authority, or to an international event of public interest, or to attend an event organized under the sponsorship of the Croatian Parliament, the President of the Republic of Croatia or the Government of the Republic of Croatia: Letter of Invitation Members of the immediate family of a Croatian citizen and a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA): Certificate from the Register of Births or Marriages and a photocopy of the ID card of the Croatian citizen or the EEA citizen; For any other stays, other proofs are required. 9. Bank statements and proof of employement/professional status: availability to support oneself during the stay in Croatia and to return to the state of residence or to travel to a third state: equivalent of EUR 70 per day of the planned stay in Croatia. If a visitor has a certified Letter of Guarantee from a natural or legal person from Croatia, (s)he https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 4 of 14
shall present the proof of a paid tourist package or similar document, the proof that (s)he carries funds equivalent to EUR 30 per day of the planned stay in Croatia. Exceptionally, if a visitor has a certified Letter of Guarantee from a natural or legal person from Croatia showing that the guarantor is fully accepting all the expenses related to visiting and departing from Croatia, (s)he shall be exempt from the requirement to present the proof of having sufficient funds available. The applicant shall also submit an appropriate certificate of his/her social and professional status: certificate of employment, certificate of school attendance, certificate from the companies register for tradesmen etc. For minors and persons without their own resources, an authenticated certificate shall be submitted stating that a parent or other person shall cover the expenses, with a proof of the social and professional status of the person offering to cover the expenses and a proof that such a person has the resources. 10. For minors, a legal guardian shall submit the following: birth certificate, if the parents are the legal guardians, or the decision of the competent authority on appointing the legal guardian. If a minor is traveling without a legal guardian, (s)he must carry a notarized consent of a legal guardian that shall contain personal information of the legal guardian and the purpose, the period and length of stay in Croatia, the period for which the consent is issued, and the signature of the legal guardian. For larger groups to participate in cultural, educational, or sporting events, or for humanitarian reasons, visa application may be filed by an authorized accompanying person submitting appropriate documentation. The documents attached shall not be older than three months. LETTERS OF GUARANTEE AND INVITATION TRAVEL PURPOSE: PRIVATE VISIT If a foreign citizen is coming for a private visit, upon submitting a visa application, (s)he shall submit, as a proof of the purpose of the stay, the original completed form of the Letter of Guarantee by Natural Person. The guarantor a natural person from Croatia - shall have his/her signature on the form authenticated by public notary in Croatia or at a Croatian Embassy/Consular Post, if the guarantor is a Croatian citizen, or by a Notary Public if the guarantor is a foreign citizen with a stay permit in Croatia. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 5 of 14
The guarantor may be a Croatian citizen or a foreigner with a residence permit in Croatia, who earns income or has assets in Croatia. With the Letter of Guarantee, the guarantor shall also enclose a proof of permanent source of income (pay slip, pension slip) in the last three months or adequate proof of having funds in a bank. The applicant shall be handed a photocopy of the Letter of Guarantee. TRAVEL PURPOSE: BUSINESS VISIT If a foreign citizen is coming for a business visit, upon submitting a visa application, (s)he shall submit, as a proof of the purpose of the stay, the original filled out form of the Letter of Guarantee by Legal Person. The guarantor a legal entity from Croatia - shall authenticate the form by attaching the official seal and the signature of its authorized representative. With the Letter of Guarantee, the guarantor shall enclose a proof of solvency (BON 1 or BON 2 Forms, or a confirmation of the Commercial Court that it is not in liquidation etc.). The applicant shall be handed a photocopy of the Letter of Guarantee. LETTER OF INVITATION A foreign citizen coming to Croatia at the invitation of a Croatian national authority to attend an international conference of public interest or to participate in an event held under the auspices of the Croatian Parliament, the Croatian President and the Croatian Government, shall submit a Letter of Invitation of the Croatian national authority or the organizer of the international event with the visa application. The Letter of Invitation shall include: Information about the foreign citizen: name, date and place of birth, citizenship, passport number, place of issue and expiry date, Purpose of the visit, period in which the foreign national will be staying in the Republic of Croatia, and information about his/her accommodation, Information about who is covering the expenses of the foreign citizen's stay in the Republic of Croatia, First name, family name, title (position, job), address and telephone number of the contact person who can provide relevant information about the foreign citizen. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 6 of 14
IMPORTANT NOTES AND WARNINGS: - Submitting a visa application, including all the required documents, does not automatically mean that the visa will be issued. - 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 the foreign citizen to present a photocopy of the Letter of Guarantee in case of both private and business visits, and it is therefore recommendable to carry the Letter of Guarantee, as well as the proof of having sufficient funds, in hand baggage. - The decision to refuse a visa, indicating reasons for such a decision, shall be delivered to the applicant in a visa refusal/annulment/revocation form. - A foreign citizen may file a complaint against the decision to refuse a visa through the competent Embassy/Consulate of the Republic of Croatia, within 15 days from the date of receipt of the decision on visa refusal/annulment/revocation. The complaint shall be filed in Croatian. The fee for non-european countries is HRK 260 or EUR 26 or US$ 35, according to Section 78b of the Law on Administrative Fees. - The visa application fee is non-refundable once the application has been accepted at the Embassy. - An Embassy/Consular Post may invite the applicant to an interview; require him/her to submit further documents and/or certified translation as well as the international certification (apostille) of the documents. - Any falsification of the documents and the use of such documents may be subject to criminal prosecution. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 7 of 14
Visa Processing Time Processing: the application will be decided on within 15 days from the date of submission of the application, and this period may be extended to 30 or 60 days for justified reasons. If the application is submitted less than 15 days prior to the planned journey, the Embassy/Consulate shall not be liable for the duration of the processing procedure. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 8 of 14
Visa Validity A short stay visa (C-visa) is a permit to transit through, or stay in the territory of the Republic of Croatia for a maximum of 90 days in any 180 day-period. It is issued for one, two or multiple entries for the purpose of transit, tourism, business, private or other purposes. Its validity period depends on the circumstances of the visitors' travel to Croatia and may not exceed five years. The visa alone shall not entitle a visitor to enter or work in the territory of the Republic of Croatia. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 9 of 14
Visa Cost EURO 60 (depending on the exchange rate) ZAR 1005.00 The fee is payable by credit cards (no American Express/Diners), debit cards or by bank deposit. Cash payment will not be accepted. 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. ACCOUNT DETAILS: Payments from South Africa: (ZAR) The Embassy`s banking details are as follows: Embassy of the Republic of Croatia Standard Bank, Hatfield Branch, Pretoria Account no: 011 978 279 Branch code: 011545 If paying into VFS account : Branch name : Nedbank (Standard Chartered Bank) Account Name : VFS VISA PROCESSING SA LTD - Croatia Account Number: 001 880505 13 Branch Code: 73-00-20 Swift Address: SCBLZAJJ Branch: Johannesburg Branch Account type: Current Account Please use your passport number as a Reference. VFS SERVICE FEE : R502 plus there is a R570 mandatory courier fee applicable per application if you submit your visa application at the Cape Town branch. 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) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 10 of 14
SA Representative S.A Honorary Consulate Tel: 001 385 1 4680 981 E-mail: konzulat.jar@email.ht.hr https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 11 of 14
Travel Health Compulsory: Recommended Travel Vaccines: None Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Tetanus, Polio Croatia is one of Europe's top seaside destinations, with over 1,000 islands, 1778km of mainland coastline and a mild Mediterranean climate. In Zagreb, Croatia's capital, visit the historic monuments of Gornji Grad (Upper Town): the Cathedral, St Mark's Church (noted for its tiled roof) and the Sabor (Croatian parliament). Then take in the museums of 19th-century Donji Grad (Lower Town). The Museum of Arts and Crafts traces Croatian craftsmanship through the centuries, and the Mimara Museum exhibits a rich collection of painting, sculpture and ceramics from abroad. Dubrovnik's Summer Festival takes place each year, from mid-july to late August, and features open-air evening performances of theatre, jazz and classical music in the old town. Zagreb and Split also have summer festivals, but are a treat to visit at any time. Slavonia's Kopaèki Rit Nature Park is a vast expanse of wetland frequented by myriad migrating birds and well away from the tourist crowds. Dive in the ethereal Blue Grotto and explore the shipwrecks sunk off the island of Vis, Croatia's most remote inhabited island. Capital: Currency: Language: Zagreb (ZAG) Kuna (HRK) Croatian (Hrvatski). Serbian, Slovenian, Hungarian and Italian are also spoken by minorities. English and German may be spoken in tourist regions. Dialling code from SA: + 385 Time Zones: UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) Daylight Savings Time: From last Sunday March to last Sunday October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 12 of 14
Public Holidays 2018: Jan 1, 6; Apr 1, 2; May 1, 31; Jun 22, 25l Aug 5 15; Oct 8; Nov 1; Dec 25, 26 Side of the Road: Best Time to Go: Best for: Plugs: Drinking Water: Health: Customs: Local Offences / Laws: Travel Tips / Warnings: Right May September National Parks, Architecture, Historical and Religious Sites, Coastline 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs as in most of Western Europe Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. Normal social courtesies There are certain restrictions on photography. Passports should be carried at all times. Travellers are advised to be cautious in former conflict and remote areas, as there may be land mines. Stay on known safe roads, and check with authorities if going to a remote area. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 13 of 14
Duty Free: Croatia is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco. 10L of spirits over 22%, 20L of alcoholic beverages less than 22%, 90L of wine (no more than 60L of sparkling wine) and 110L of beer. If you are arriving from a non-eu country, the following goods may be imported into Croatia by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. 4L of wine and 16L of beer and 1L of spirits over 22% or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22%. Other goods up to the value of Kn3,200 for air and sea travellers and Kn2,200 for other travellers (reduced to Kn1,100 for children under 15). Prohibited Imports: Prohibited Exports: Unauthorised firearms and ammunition and nonprescription drugs. There are restrictions on the import of plants, animals and food. Articles of archaeological, historical, ethnographic, artistic and other scientific or cultural value require an export licence issued by the Croatian authorities. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2693-croatia-country-guide&print=1 Page 14 of 14