Visa Requirements for Croatia

Students from the USA, EU, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand who are planning to study abroad in Croatia for a semester must apply for Temporary Stay in Croatia.

India, China, and UAE are a few of the countries* whose citizens must ALSO apply for a travel visa before entry into Croatia in addition to the Temporary Stay. A comprehensive list is available on CroatiaExpert.com. You can also find more information on the Croatian Embassy website.

You will work with and submit all required documents to RIT study abroad advisor Myles Chalue.

Before Starting the Temporary Stay Process

  1. Prior to applying for study abroad, check the expiration date on your passport. Visa approval requires that your passport be valid for a minimum of six months past the end date of your program. If necessary, you can apply to renew your passport through the local post office, or county clerk office.
  2. Complete your profile and application in the Compass. All students applying for study abroad in Croatia must fill out a profile and application on the Compass database. 
  3. Upload a scanned copy of your passport, and add your health insurance information (name on policy and number) under the ‘Insurance’ tab.
  4. Upon acceptance into the program, you will receive an email from the RIT Global office notifying you of the results and providing instructions on the next steps.

Types of Visas

Students from the USA, EU, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand planning to study abroad in Croatia for a 16-week semester or more must apply for Temporary Stay in Croatia.

India, China, and UAE are a few of the countries* whose citizens must ALSO apply for a travel visa FIRST before entry into Croatia in addition to the Temporary Stay. A comprehensive list is available on CroatiaExpert.com. You can also find more information on the Croatian Embassy website.

Temporary Stay Process

All students studying for a full semester in Croatia will need to apply for temporary stay. RIT study abroad advisor Myles Chalue will review the application process with you and explain what documents you must submit.

Temporary Stay Required Documents

  • Temporary Stay in Croatia application (includes a background check and proof of finances)
  • Biometric passport photos
  • Copy of photo page in valid passport
  • Proof of health insurance (the RIT Education Abroad office will provide this letter)
  • Letter of invitation (RIT Croatia will write a letter on your behalf confirming that you will be enrolled in classes at RIT Croatia and that they will find housing for you)

Background Check and Proof of Finances

As part of the temporary stay application, you must submit a background check showing proof of no criminal record. Contact your local police department or state police for a criminal background check. You will need a letter or certificate that says you have no criminal record. Next, you must send your background check document to the state capital of your home state to request an apostille. Some states, including NYS, require the county clerk to authenticate the notary signature on your document before requesting the apostille. Your study abroad advisor will provide a detailed background check and apostille instructions.

The temporary stay application also requires you to submit proof of finances.

ONE of the following documents are acceptable for showing your finances:

  • Bank account statement (one month is sufficient)
  • Letter from your bank confirming your account balance
  • Letter from RIT financial aid office confirming your aid package

Please note that your bank account must have a minimum balance of $1,508 USD for a semester-long study abroad program. 

You will provide your background check, apostille, and proof of finances document to the RIT Education Abroad office (email to Myles Chalue, myles.chalue@rit.edu). 

Temporary Stay Costs

Students are responsible for paying the temporary stay fees. Application fees are paid in Croatia. You should budget approximately $100 USD. Please note that you will not be paying these fees in Croatia until several months after your arrival, so make sure you budget appropriately to have enough funds for these costs.

Temporary Stay FAQs

Yes! Your study abroad advisor in Rochester and study abroad specialist at RIT Croatia will assist you with all the requirements and paperwork.

During your advising meetings, your RIT study abroad advisor will review the process with you. You will need to provide your study abroad advisor with the required application materials to start the temporary stay process several months before you leave for Croatia. Your application for a temporary stay will be submitted to Croatian authorities after you arrive in Croatia.

No, you are not required to book flights before submitting your temporary stay application.

As part of the temporary stay application, you must submit a background check showing proof of no criminal record. The temporary stay application also requires you to submit proof of finances. You will provide your background check, apostille, and proof of finances document to the RIT Education Abroad office (email to Myles Chalue, myles.chalue@rit.edu). 

The RIT Education Abroad office will send your background check with apostille, and bank statement for translation into Croatian language. When the official translation is completed, the RIT Education Abroad office will forward your documents to the RIT Croatia study abroad office.

You will submit your application to the authorities after you arrive in Croatia. A staff member from RIT Croatia will accompany you to the authorities to register your arrival and submit your temporary stay documents.

Students applying for temporary stay approval will not need to surrender their passport with their application. However, you must provide your passport to your landlord immediately after you arrive in Croatia so that your landlord can register your arrival with the authorities.

The application review process can last anywhere from 4 - 6 weeks. Students who do not require a travel visa for entry into Croatia (USA, Canada, EU, Australia, New Zealand) will be able to enter the country with a valid passport.

Once your application is approved, your temporary stay card will be issued in Croatia.

Once you receive your temporary stay card, you should always keep it with you, along with your passport. 

Study abroad students from RIT may “opt-out” of purchasing Croatian health insurance by submitting the proof of international health insurance letter with their application that the RIT Education Abroad office provides.

Travel Visa Process

Some international students studying for a full semester in Croatia may need to apply for a travel visa to enter Croatia.  RIT study abroad advisor Myles Chalue will review the application process with you and explain what documents you must submit.

Travel Visa Required Documents

Students applying for a travel visa to Croatia are required to submit the following documents. The RIT Education Abroad office will meet with you to assist you in collecting the documents.

  • Travel visa application (DO NOT sign the application until you report to the Croatian Consulate)
  • Valid passport
  • Passport size photo
  • Copy of itinerary for group excursions (provided by the RIT Study Abroad Advisor)  
  • Round-trip airline ticket
  • Proof of booked accommodation (provided by the RIT Study Abroad Advisor)
  • The RIT Croatia study abroad specialist will provide proof of accommodation and the itinerary for your trips during the study abroad program.
  • Proof of sufficient financial funds - monthly bank statement or letter from your bank confirming that you have a minimum of $1,508 USD in your bank account (this amount is required for full semester programs).
  • Letter from RIT student health insurance provider (University Health Plans) confirming overseas coverage for health insurance.
  • Notarized copy of your RIT student health insurance card. (There are notaries on the RIT campus. Notaries are also available in the student financial services office and in any bank.)
  • Confirmation of emergency travel insurance
  • Copy of valid US ID (US driver’s license, permanent residence card)
  • Notarized copy of passport (There are notaries on the RIT campus but also notaries available in the student financial services office and any bank.)
  • Proof of enrollment at RIT (request can be made at the Registrar’s office)
  • Payment for travel visa application fee. The fee is $110 USD, payable by bank check (money order) to “Croatian Consulate”. You can get a money order at your bank or the campus post office.  
  • RIT Croatia will write the required guarantee letter on your behalf. Please provide the following information to the RIT Education Abroad office for the letter of guarantee:
    • Name
    • Date of Birth
    • Citizenship
    • Place of Residence 
    • Scan of F1 visa
    • Passport number, place of issue, date of issue, expiration date

Travel Visa Costs

The travel visa application fee is $110 USD, payable by bank check (money order) to “Croatian Consulate.” You can get a money order at your bank or the RIT campus post office.

Travel Visa FAQs

The required visa for students is a Temporary Stay in Croatia. However, the temporary stay visa is not completed until students arrive in Croatia. Because your citizenship requires you to have a travel visa to enter the country, the authorities in Croatia will allow you to enter with a travel visa and then submit the official temporary stay paperwork after you arrive. The RIT Croatia staff will assist you with the in-country process.

Once you have collected your paperwork, you should plan your visit to the Croatian Consulate office in New York City.

Yes, the process for a travel visa requires you to travel to New York City and submit your paperwork in person at the Croatian Consulate office. The office is located on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan.

The travel visa takes approximately 20 days for approval.

Yes, you will be required to leave your passport and a copy of your I-20 at the Croatian Consulate office. Please make sure to bring a copy of your I-20, and do not leave the original. The RIT Education Abroad office will give you a return federal express air bill to leave at the consulate for the return of your passport.

You cannot enter Croatia without your travel visa. Therefore, it is important to apply as soon as possible and allow enough time for the visa to be approved before you depart the USA.

You will submit your application for the temporary stay after you arrive in Croatia. The RIT Croatia study abroad specialist will assist you with completing the paperwork.

Once you submit your temporary stay application in Croatia, the processing time is approximately 4 - 6 weeks.