🇭🇷 Croatia Tourist Visa
For citizens of the Republic of Turkey holding an Ordinary (maroon) passport, obtaining a visa is mandatory for travels to Croatia. Holders of Special (green), Service (gray), and Diplomatic (black) passports are exempt from visa requirements provided that their stay does not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period. However, for tourist purposes, ordinary passport holders must apply for a visa.
At Marsel Visa, we guide you through the process according to the current requirements determined by the Croatian Consulate and ensure that your application proceeds smoothly and without delays. The documents required for a tourist visa are divided into two categories: standard documents and occupation-specific documents. These differ depending on whether the applicant is an employee, employer, student, retiree, farmer, or without income. Submitting the correct set of documents according to your professional and financial situation is crucial for the approval of your visa.
📝 Required Documents for Croatia Tourist Visa
The first step is to have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the return date of your trip and issued within the last ten years. Your passport must have at least two blank pages and must match your identity information. If you have previously obtained Schengen, UK, Irish, Japanese, US, or Canadian visas, submitting their photocopies will positively support your application.
The Croatia visa application form can be filled out in Turkish, English, Croatian, German, Russian, French, Arabic, Spanish, or Ukrainian. It is essential that all information, especially your contact details, are up-to-date and accurate, since the consulate may request additional documents during the process. For error-free completion of the form, our consultants are ready to assist you.
Every application requires two recent biometric photographs sized 35x45 mm, taken against a white background. A travel health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros valid for the entire duration of your stay must also be submitted. The name “Croatia” must be explicitly stated in the policy, and if you are applying for a multiple-entry visa, the insurance should be arranged accordingly. Accommodation documents must cover the entire period of your stay, including confirmed hotel bookings or official rental agreements for apartments.
Travel reservations such as flight, train, or bus tickets must be included in your file. If you plan to travel by private car, your green card insurance and driving license copies must be added. In cases of transit through other countries, connecting transportation and accommodation documents must also be presented together with an explanatory letter.
To prove your financial sufficiency, you are required to submit documents such as your last three months’ bank account statements, salary slips, rental agreements, or property deeds. For minors or applicants without income, a sponsor must provide a notarized letter of commitment along with their income documents, employment certificate, and bank statements.
📌 Occupation-Specific Documents
For employees, the application must include the last three months’ signed salary slips, SGK employment entry declaration, SGK service statement, an official leave permission letter from the employer, and updated company documents such as signature circular, tax certificate, and trade registry gazette.
Employers are required to provide a visa request letter on company letterhead, along with company registration documents and income proofs. Farmers must submit a certificate from their local Chamber of Agriculture, retirees must provide their pension certificate or official pension account statements, and students must present a current student certificate issued by their institution.
Minors traveling alone or with only one parent must submit a notarized consent letter signed by both parents or legal guardians. Foreign nationals residing in Turkey must include a copy of their Turkish residence permit.
🕒 How Long Does the Croatia Tourist Visa Take?
If the documents are complete and correctly prepared, the Croatian Consulate generally processes tourist visa applications within 5 to 15 working days. However, during official holidays or peak seasons, or if the file is incomplete, the process may take longer. It is strongly advised to apply at least 30 days before your planned travel date to avoid any risk of delay. The authority to finalize applications rests solely with the Croatian Embassy and Consulate.
📍 Croatia Visa Application Regions
Applicants in Turkey are divided into consular regions depending on their place of residence. Those residing in Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, and nearby provinces must complete their applications through the respective regional offices, while applicants living in other provinces should apply through Ankara or Gaziantep.
❌ Who is Exempt from the Croatia Visa?
Some travelers are exempt from obtaining a Croatian visa for short stays. Holders of valid multiple-entry Schengen visas, residence permits from Schengen countries, or long-term visas/residence permits issued by Bulgaria, Romania, or Cyprus are allowed to enter Croatia without an additional visa. Holders of Diplomatic, Service, and Special passports are also exempt for stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, provided their passport remains valid for at least three months.
📌 Important Warnings
Even if you have provided fingerprints for the Schengen VIS system, you are required to provide fresh biometric data specifically for the Croatian visa. With a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, you may enter Croatia, but you cannot use a Croatian visa to enter Schengen countries. Travel health insurance must clearly state “Croatia.”
Applications submitted less than 15 days before the intended travel date may be rejected by the Croatian Consulate. For this reason, we recommend applying at least one month in advance. Please note that the consulate reserves the right to request additional documents.
At Marsel Visa, our consultants guide you through every step of the process, from preparing your documents to following up your application, ensuring a smooth and reliable visa experience.