Croatia ETIAS is available to eligible applicants who wish to visit Croatia for a short time. Once the new travel policy goes into force in 2024, visitors from visa free countries will not be allowed to enter Croatia without it.
This post contains information about the European Travel Information and Authorization System, so keep reading to know more.
Croatia At A Glance
Croatia may not be a big or hugely populated country, but it is one of the most visited countries in Europe because it is a popular tourist destination. Every year, millions of tourists visit Croatia to enjoy the sights and sounds of the central European country.
Considered a Mediterranean wonder because of the clear blue waters and a rich network of more than 1000 islands and seaside cliffs, lovers of outdoor activities like hiking, sailing, and snorkeling enjoy the landscape.
Croatia enjoys different seasons within a calendar year, and what makes the country so fascinating is that different regions experience different seasons at the same time. This is why many Croatians move locations depending on the season they prefer throughout the year.
In terms of tourism pool, the coastal islands attract many visitors during the summer season and less so during winter. Of its unmatched coastlines, Croatia is a top destination for tourists.
ETIAS for Croatia
By May 2023, the European Commission will begin the test of the European Travel Information and Authorization System on non EU travelers from visa-free countries. This test will last for a period of six months, after which the need for ETIAS will become mandatory by the start of 2024.
During the testing phase, visitors will be allowed to enter Croatia without visas if they are from visa free countries.
The ETIAS visa waiver program is linked to the visitor’s passport upon approval to create a streamlined security vetting process. Moving forward, the system will collate data of all visitors coming from selected countries and identify travelers who may pose security risks to the local populations.
Who Needs ETIAS?
It is important to note at this point that ETIAS is not for every visitor coming to Croatia; rather, it is for visitors from visa free countries. Those who can previously enter Europe without a visa will still be allowed to do so but with ETIAS approval.
Those who are not eligible for visa waivers are not eligible for ETIAS. They must obtain a Schengen visa instead.
How To Apply For Croatia ETIAS?
Applying for Croatian Etias is quite simple as it is done online. Unlike a conventional visa requiring a visit to the Croatian embassy, you don’t need to submit physical documents or attend an interview to get ETIAS. Simply visit VisaHQ and do the following:
Log onto the official Etias page on VisaHQ
Choose Croatia as your destination
Choose your country of citizenship
Select Etias
Complete the application form
Upload the necessary documents
Pay the application fee
Submit for approval
You will receive your approval in your email address within a few minutes or in 72 hours. If there are delays with your application because of a security alert, your application will be referred to the manual ETIAS unit in Croatia for further review.
Why The Need For ETIAS?
Why the need for ETIAS is a common question asked by trackers in the Schengen region. For starters, this program will track the identity of visitors coming to Europe annually. Every year, more than 200 million people enter EU borders, and the number keeps rising by the year; the commission hopes to use this program to track the identity of these visitors.
Secondly, there has been a rise in international migration in the last decade, which has created a myriad of social problems for EU countries. Furthermore, terrorist attacks have risen in recent times, threatening the peace of Europeans in Continental Europe, so European countries hope to use the program to prevent criminal elements from entering the Schengen Area.
ETIAS is technologically driven, and planners hope to use it to improve the performance of customs agents, border control and territorial safety.
Will Visa Free Travelers Need Visas?
Travelers coming from visa free countries may still need a Schengen visa to enter Croatia if they plan to stay in Croatia for more than 90 days. ETIAS only allows eligible visitors to stay for three month within a six months period. Long term visits require Schengen visas even if you come from a visa free country.
For that, you must visit the Croatian embassy in your country to submit your application form and documents for approval.
If you want to apply for Croatia ETIAS, you should visit the VisaHQ application page to complete and submit your application and document for approval.