Croatia is becoming an increasingly attractive country for Ukrainians looking for new employment opportunities and a comfortable life in the European Union. The process of immigration and legalisation in this country has its own peculiarities and requires strict compliance with the requirements. Find out more about how to apply for a visa to Croatia, obtain a work permit and other important aspects of emigration

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

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Emigration to Croatia is a process that consists of many nuances that should be taken into account for successful relocation and legalisation in the country.

How to obtain a visa to Croatia, what documents are required for this, as well as work permits and other important factors of emigration to Croatia - we will tell you further in the article.

Detailed information on what you need to know before moving to Croatia can be found here:

- Travelling to Croatia for tourism purposes;

- Work in Croatia;

- Immigration to Croatia;

- Study in Croatia;

- Temporary protection for Ukrainians in Croatia.

Do Ukrainians need a visa to Croatia?

Ukrainian citizens can travel freely to Croatia without the need for a visa. Within a 180-day period, it is allowed to stay in the country for up to 90 days from the date of first entry.

It is important to know that Croatia has recently become a member of the Schengen area. This means that the days spent in Croatia will be counted towards the total quota of 90 days for staying in Schengen countries. Therefore, Ukrainian travellers are advised to carefully monitor the number of days spent in the Schengen area. For your convenience, you can use a special calculator on the official website of the European Union, which will help you accurately calculate the duration of your stay.

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Visa to Croatia for Ukrainians: how to choose?

There are several types of visas that Ukrainian citizens may need to apply for in Croatia, depending on the purpose of their trip.

- Short-term visa (type C). It is required for Ukrainians who have a regular (non-biometric) passport or if the citizen has already used the allowed 90 days of visa-free stay within the Schengen area. It is intended for stays of up to 90 days within each 180-day period. It is used for tourism, visiting relatives or friends, business travel, participation in conferences, cultural events, etc.

- National long-term visa (type D). It is intended for stays exceeding 90 days. It is used for work, study, family reunification, temporary residence and is issued for further residence permit in Croatia.

- Transit visa (type A or B). Type A is an airport transit visa for staying in the transit area of an airport while changing flights to a third country. Type B is a transit visa for crossing the territory of Croatia by land on the way to a third country.

- Visa for seasonal work. It is intended for temporary employment in such industries as agriculture, tourism or hotel and restaurant business. It is issued for a period of up to 6 months.

Read more about the Digital Nomad visa to Croatia, how Ukrainians can obtain a visa and what opportunities it provides, here.

Visa to Croatia: documents required

To apply for a visa to Croatia, Ukrainian citizens must provide the following documents:

- A completed visa application form (downloadable from the official website of the Croatian Consulate).

- A passport with at least 2 blank pages and valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of return.

- Photographs 35x45 mm, taken no earlier than 6 months before submitting the documents.

- Confirmation of the purpose of the trip. For tourism - confirmation of hotel reservation, voucher from a travel agency, for visiting relatives/friends - an invitation indicating the purpose of the visit, for business - a letter from an employer or business partner.

- Health insurance covering the entire period of stay with a minimum coverage amount of 30,000 euros.

- Financial documents. A bank statement or account statement for the last 3 months, as well as a sponsorship letter (if the trip is financed by another person).

- Confirmation of booking tickets (air, bus, etc.) in both directions.

- Receipt of payment of the visa fee.

Additional documents for a long-term visa (type D):

- Proof of the purpose of the long-term stay. Employment contract or an official invitation from the employer, confirmation from the educational institution (letter of enrolment) or a document confirming family ties.

- Certificate of no criminal record issued by the competent authorities of Ukraine.

- Proof of residence in Croatia.

How to get to Ukraine from Croatia in 2024, convenient routes, entry rules and useful tips are available here.

Croatia for Ukrainians: stages of preparation and obtaining a visa

Step-by-step instructions for successfully obtaining a visa:

1. Determining the type of visa. Choose the type of visa that suits the purpose of your trip (short-term, long-term, transit, work, etc.).

2. Prepare the main documents. Depending on the type of visa you have chosen, prepare the appropriate package of documents. For long-term visas, prepare additional documents (e.g., a police clearance certificate, proof of residence).

3. Fill in the application form. Download and fill in the visa application form from the official website of the Croatian Consulate. Make sure that all the data is accurate and corresponds to the documents.

4. Appointment and submission of documents. Make an appointment at the Consulate, Embassy or an accredited visa application centre. Bring the collected documents at the appointed time and pay the visa fee.

5. Waiting for the decision. Application processing time can range from 5 to 15 working days for short-term visas. For long-term visas, the processing time may be longer. Keep in mind that in some cases the consulate may require additional documents.

6. Obtaining a visa. After the visa is approved, pick up the document at the consulate or visa application centre.

Find out how to get from Ukraine to Croatia by car, the route, necessary documents and everything you need to know here.

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Croatia: Residence permit for Ukrainians

A temporary residence permit in Croatia is a document that allows foreigners to legally reside in Croatia for a certain period, usually more than 90 days, but not permanently.

The Foreigners Act provides for a wide range of grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit. These include family reunification, study, research, humanitarian reasons, professional activities, work, business trips, life partnership, digital nomads and other individual circumstances.

To obtain a temporary residence permit, a foreigner must meet a number of important criteria. First of all, they must clearly justify the purpose of their stay in Croatia. A valid foreign passport is a prerequisite, and its validity must exceed the period of the planned stay by at least three months.

In addition, the applicant must confirm that he or she has sufficient financial resources for his or her own maintenance, has health insurance and is not a threat to public order. Another important condition is the absence of criminal records in the country of origin or the country of previous long-term residence.

The application procedure stipulates that the documents submitted at a diplomatic mission or consular post will be forwarded to the local police department for a final decision. Particular attention is paid to checking that the person is not banned from entering and staying in the territory of the Republic of Croatia and that there are no relevant warnings in the Schengen Information System.

A temporary residence permit is usually issued for a period of up to 1 year, but it can be extended depending on the purpose of stay.

Thus, obtaining a temporary residence permit is a complex process that requires careful preparation and compliance with the requirements established by law. To ensure a successful move and avoid any troubles, it is worth contacting specialists. Thelawyers of Visit Ukraine provide full support and advice on visa and migration issues to successfully resolve any nuances.

Ukrainians in Croatia: how to obtain citizenship?

Naturalisation in the Republic of Croatia is the final stage of integration of a foreigner into the local society, which grants him/her full citizenship rights, including the right to vote and the opportunity to stand for election.

Croatian legislation provides for various grounds for obtaining citizenship through naturalisation. These include long-term residence in the country, birth on its territory, marriage or civil partnership with a Croatian citizen, emigration circumstances, special interests of the state, belonging to the Croatian people and renewal of citizenship.

The process of acquiring citizenship for minor children is regulated in particular detail. Children can acquire Croatian citizenship if their parents acquire it through naturalisation, regardless of whether this applies to both parents or only one. Important conditions are the fact that the child has resided in Croatia, obtained permanent residence and complied with the law.

The administrative procedure for acquiring citizenship is carried out by the Ministry of the Interior. The application is submitted in person to the local police station at the place of temporary or permanent residence. In the absence of such residence in Croatia, documents are submitted through foreign diplomatic missions or consulates.

The following supporting documents must be attached to the application:

- CV and a motivation letter for acquiring Croatian citizenship;

- a certified copy of a valid identity document (passport, identity document for foreign nationals) with a clearly visible photograph;

- a document confirming citizenship (certificate of citizenship, certified copy of a valid passport or identity card);

- an extract from the birth register issued in a standard form in accordance with international treaties and conventions;

- an extract from the marriage register issued within the last 6 months (for married persons);

- extract from the Register of Civil Partnerships (for civil partners);

- a certificate of no criminal record issued by a competent foreign authority of the applicant's country of citizenship and permanent residence in the original language or a duly certified copy with Croatian translation issued within the last 6 months;

- the applicant's consent to verify the authenticity of foreign documents supporting the application.

Keep in mind that a Green Card is a prerequisite for legal entry and further movement in Croatia by car. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can apply for a Green Card online from a licensed insurer. Packages are available for different periods from 15 days to 1 year for cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters.

How to obtain a work permit: work visa to Croatia

A short-term work visa to Croatia provides foreigners with the opportunity to work temporarily in the country to perform specific work tasks or projects. An important feature is that no special work or residence permit is required to stay and work for up to 90 days per calendar year.

The process of obtaining a short-term work visa requires careful preparation of documentation and compliance with a number of administrative requirements. The applicant must provide a set of documents confirming his/her ability and purpose of stay in Croatia. The key documents include a valid passport, health insurance, proof of financial stability, a letter of guarantee from a Croatian company and an official invitation.

For long-term work, Croatian legislation establishes a more complex procedure. Third-country nationals who are not EU members can only work if they have a special residence and work permit. Before hiring a foreign employee, an employer must apply to the Croatian Employment Service.

The legislation provides for a number of exceptions when foreigners can work without a special permit. Such exceptions apply to persons who have temporary residence under various circumstances: family reunification, study, research, humanitarian reasons, etc.

To obtain a long-term work visa, an applicant must submit a number of documents, including an employment contract, proof of health insurance, proof of qualifications and financial solvency. An important condition is to provide evidence that no suitable candidate among Croatian nationals has been found for a particular job.

The validity of a work permit is directly related to the duration of the employment contract. Each case is considered individually, taking into account the specifics of the work, the employee's qualifications and the needs of the local labour market.

In general, the procedure for obtaining a work visa in Croatia is quite complicated and requires careful preparation of documents, confirmation of professional suitability and compliance with all administrative requirements.

Just a reminder. When travelling to Croatia by car, it is important to know the traffic rules, speed limits and requirements for mandatory documents. Read more about the main features of traffic rules in Croatia, penalties and tips on how to prepare your car for a safe trip here.

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