Croatia, with its exotic coastline, ancient towns and cities, and cultural and historical background, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Schengen. It has a visa-free agreement with UAE, which makes it easy for UAE citizens to travel. However, UAE residents have to apply for a visa before entering Croatia. If you’re a UAE resident interested in visiting this mesmerizing country, this guide on how to apply for a Croatia visa from Dubai is for you.
Why You Must Visit Croatia
Croatia offers an alluring coastline ideal for swimming, boating, and sunbathing. Some of the main attractions in this country you can enjoy having a Croatia visa from Dubai in hand include the city of Dubrovnik, the Plitvice Lakes National Park, and Krka, which are full of raw nature and fantastic for outdoor adventure. Croatia is also popular for cultural festivals, coffee houses, immersive events, restaurants, and vibrant cities such as Zagreb and Split.
A Few Schengen Visa Types You Must Know
Schengen Visas are categorized to meet the different needs of visitors. For instance, someone would want to visit Croatia for tourism, business, or to visit relatives and friends. Based on the varied needs of visitors, a Schengen visit visa is categorized in these ways:
Tourist Visa
This visa is issued to foreign citizens wanting to visit Croatia to enjoy its nature, history, culture, food, and festivals.
Business Visa
This visa is for attending business-related matters, fulfilling professional commitments, or attending business meetings and conferences.
Family/ Friends Visit Visa
Apply for this visa when traveling to Croatia to meet your friends or relatives.
Transit Visa
This visa is needed when you’re stopping for a few hours or for a night while passing through Croatia to another country.
Croatia Visit Visa Requirements from Dubai
UAE citizens don’t have to apply for a visit visa. They are eligible for a visa-on-arrival. However, this exemption is granted only if they visit Croatia for a short period, i.e., 90 days. Expats and foreign nationals residing in the UAE and not originally from a Schengen area need to apply for a Croatia visit visa from Dubai beforehand. These are the document requirements for the visa.
- A valid passport with two blank pages and at least six months validity from the end date of the planned visit.
- A valid UAE resident visa and proof of a minimum six months of stay in the UAE.
- A recent three-month bank statement with a bank stamp.
- A recent, colored passport-sized photo with a white background.
- If visiting for business purposes, submit a NOC letter from your company/ employer.
- Medical insurance to cover medical expenses for the entire duration of the trip.
- Details on how you intend to plan your days in Croatia.
- Couples traveling together need to provide proof of marriage, such as a copy of the marriage certificate. If the certificate is in a native language, there has to be an English translation.
- When traveling with children below 12 years of age, an original and a copy of the birth certificate of the children must be produced.
Who Requires a Schengen Visa to Visit Croatia from Dubai?
Croatia has established agreements with the Schengen area, and therefore, people residing in the UAE but not having citizenship of an EU member nation or possessing visa VAT agreements with the Schengen area require Schengen Visa. This also covers all the emigrant UAE residents who want to visit Croatia for tourism, work, or to meet their friends and relatives. It is essential to know Croatia visa requirements to confirm you meet the current legal requirements.
How To Apply for a Croatia visa from Dubai
UAE residents planning to visit Croatia for personal or business purposes must follow these steps to obtain a Schengen visa or Croatia visit visa.
1. Know your visa type
The first basic thing in the visa application process is determining the type of visa. When you’ve chosen the right type of visa matching your needs, getting approval for the visa becomes easy.
2. Collect documents
Once you’ve chosen the visa type, the next step is to gather the above-mentioned documents.
3. Schedule an Appointment
Contact the Croatian consulate or the authorized visa centers. As there is no Croatian embassy in Dubai, you must visit the nearest consulate in Oman. You can also consult a local agent to help you out in filling out the application form and contacting the Embassy.
4. Submit Your Application
Be on time for the appointment and submit your application with the required documents.
5. Pay the Visa Fee
Pay the visa fee and retain an original copy of the payment.
6. Wait for Processing
It might take 15 to 30 days to process your visa. So, apply for a Croatia visa as early as possible before the intended travel period.
7. Collect Your Visa
After successful approving the visa, collect your visa and ensure that all the information in the visa booklet is intact.
FAQs
Q: Do I have to personally visit the Croatian embassy with my documents?
A: Although you can complete the application form online, you are required to submit documents in person at the Croatian consulate or visa collection centers in Dubai.
Q: What is the processing time for a Croatia visa from Dubai?
A: It is better that you apply for your Croatia visa 3-4 weeks before the date of your journey so that you don’t have to change your plan in case there are any unforeseen delays.
Q. How much I have to pay for a Croatia tourist visa from Dubai?
The visa fee for a Croatia tourist visa for an adult is around 80 euros. For children, the visa is lesser.
Q. Can I extend my Croatia visit visa?
A: Croatia visit visa is typically issued for a short stay, which allows the holder to stay in the country for up to 90 days. The visa can be extended only if you apply for it before the expiry of the current visa with a genuine reason for extending the visa.
Croatia is one of the as it offers captivating landscapes, rich history, culture, and vibrant cities to explore. To visit this enchanting country without any stress, use the information provided above on Croatia visa requirements from Dubai and experience a seamless visa processing. For more detailed information and help with your visa application, visit schengenvisa.ae.