Croatia visa requirements for South Africans

• The tourist visa is for South Africans traveling for the purpose of tourism.
• The tourist visa is can also be used as a visitor's visa.
• Applicants must have an original passport valid for at least three months after the planned date for departure.
• Two recent 35mm x 45mm passport-sized photograph with white background is required.
• Applicants are not allowed to take up work with this type of visa.
• Active-duty military personnel who are traveling off-duty should obtain a tourist passport not an official passport.
  
• Holders of this visa are not allowed to study during their stay in the country.
• Applicants are to register with the police within three days of arrival into the country.
• Applicants are required to present a letter of invitation from their host in the country if you are visiting a friend or relative.
• If you are not staying with friends or relatives, you must provide proof of accommodation. For example; copy of hotel reservation.
• Visa application of minors should be submitted by a parent or legal representative.
• If you are going hiking, camping, or doing other outdoor activities in forested areas, you are required to get a tick-borne encephalitis vaccine.
• Proof of health insurance must be provided. Make sure the insurance.
• While in Croatia, make sure you adhere to the traffic laws. Here are some of the rules: 

                - Vehicles drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left.

                - Speed limits range from 110 to 130 km/h on highways and motorways and 50 to 90 km/h on urban thoroughfares.

• Proof that you can afford €70 per day for the duration of your stay in the country should be provided.

• An airport transit visa allows its holder join a connecting flight from Croatia to his/her destination country.
• The visa of the destination country is required.
• Minors birth certificate should be presented during the visa application process.
• Letter of consent from applicants’ parent if the applicant is a minor.
• If applicant is not a South African, a photocopy of South African stay permit is required.
• Holders of this visa are cannot visit friends and relatives or take up paid work.
• The visa expires as soon as the holder leaves the country.
• The transit visa allows South Africans stay in Croatia for up to 5 days.
• The transit visa issues several transit through the territory of Republic of Croatia.

• The business visa is issued to South Africans who are looking to travel to Croatia for businesses.
• With a business visa, you can attend meeting and conferences in Croatia.
• A South African on a business visit must have the following:

             - An applicant coming to the Republic of Croatia for a business visit must enclose a letter to the visa application as a proof of the purpose of his/her visit, filled out by a the host company from Croatia.

             - The content of the letter of guarantee is stipulated by the Ordinance on Visas.

              - A letter must be signed by the person authorized to represent the host company and certified by an official stamp.

              - The applicant must have a certified photocopy of the letter, so that he/she may present a proof of the purpose of his/her stay in the Republic of Croatia if requested so by a body competent for state border control.

• Proof of accommodation must be provided.
• Proof that the visa application fee was paid. Those exempted from visa application fees are:

            - Members of immediate family of a Croatian national (spouse and children).

            - Children under the age of six.

            - Holders of diplomatic and official passports traveling officially.

• South Africans who are looking to study in Croatia can apply for the student visa.
• The student visa allows its holder multiple entry into the country.
• Here are the documents needed for applicants:

          - One colored 35 x 45 mm passport photograph.

          - Valid passport and photocopy of a passport

          - Health insurance certificate issued by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund must be provided.

          - Proof of private health insurance and travel insurance for South African must be provided. 

          - Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself must be provided: a scholarship or proof of having access to finances in the amount of at least €70 per day.

          - If you are studying with scholarship, the proof of receiving a scholarship must be provided.

          - Proof of admittance to a higher education institution in Croatia written in Croatian language, or a certificate indicating the student is in a student or youth exchange program.

• Letter of consent from applicants’ parent if the applicant is a minor.
• Students should register with the police department or police station upon arrival to Croatia.
• Students can also fill for resident permits. The permit can be renewed after 12 months.
• Full-time students can apply for occasional student work.
• The visa is usually processed during a period of 15 days.

• This is a visa type that allows diplomats of a country into Croatia for meetings and other official duties.
• You are required to present a letter stating the purpose of your visit and your status in the government.
• Visa application form of minors should be submitted by parents or legal representatives.
• Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay in the country is required.
• As a diplomat, if the purpose of your stay in the country is non-official, you may not apply for this visa type.
• You are not allowed to take up work or go around for tourism purposes.
• You are required to return to South Africa at the end of your diplomatic mission in the country.

• The medical visa is issued to people with bad health conditions and cannot get the required medical attention in their country.
• A letter of invitation from the medical institution where the individual will be receiving the medical treatment is needed.
• Take out comprehensive travel insurance before you depart to cover medical costs and medical evacuation.
• Anyone that is accompanying the sick applicant should apply a medical escort visa.
• For minors, original birth certificate should be tendered during the visa application process.
• Letter from your local doctor stating the ailment and the reason the treatment cannot be gotten in South Africa.
• Proof that the individual will be able to afford the medical bill is required. If the medical bill is taken up by a charitable organization, then a letter stating this should be presented.
• Public hospitals in Croatia are under severe budgetary constraints and the standard of facilities and availability of pharmaceuticals can be limited. Private hospitals and clinics provide better quality facilities and services but are often more costly.
• Doctors and hospitals usually expect immediate cash payment for treatment.
• After receiving treatment, you are required to leave the country.
• This visa type cannot be used for tourism purposes.