A Complete Handbook of Croatia Visa Application Process from Mumbai

Croatia is a picturesque country in Europe. It is known for its beaches, landmarks, and culture. If you are based in Mumbai and wondering how to apply for a Croatia visa from Mumbai, this guide will walk you through the process.

So, here you will delve into the visa types, required documents, and application steps for a Croatia Visa from Mumbai. Moreover, the guide will also explain the updated visa fee structure and the available payment methods, along with the standard processing time to get the desired visa.

Stay tuned!

Croatia As a Country

Croatia is a Schengen country in Central and Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea. Besides, famous for its crescent shape, Croatia is a developed country with a high standard of living and a high-income economy, with a significant contribution from its famous tourism industry.

In 2023, Croatia successfully integrated with other European nations by adopting the Euro currency and joining the Schengen Area.

Key Facts

1. Capital & largest city: Zagreb, the cultural and political hub of Croatia.
2. Official language: Croatian, a Southern Slavic language.
3. Population: Approximately 3.9 million people.
4. Government: A unitary parliamentary republic, with the current head of state Zoran Milanović and head of government Andrej Plenković.
5. Geography: Highly diverse, with the Pannonian Plain in the north, the Dinaric Alps in the center, and a long coastline with over 1,200 islands.

History & Global Integration

Croatia has a rich and varied history. From its medieval kingdom (925 AD), Croatia has had centuries under Habsburg and Austro-Hungarian rule. For much of the 20th century, Croatia was a member of Yugoslavia until its independence in 1991.

Moreover, the country becomes part of the following regions as well.

1. EU Member: Since 1 July 2013.
2. NATO Member: Since 1 April 2009.
3. Eurozone & Schengen: Joined both on 1 January 2023

Cultural Identity

Croatian culture is a mix of Mediterranean, Central European, and Balkan cultures.

1. Religion: Roman Catholic, approximately 79-87%.
2. Cuisine: Seafood and olive oil are associated with the coastal regions, while meat dishes and stews are associated with the inland regions.
3. Notable figures: The cravat, a type of necktie, and Nikola Tesla, a famous inventor, were born in Smiljan.

Economy & Lifestyle

The service sector is the main driver of the economy, contributing more than 60% to the Gross Domestic Product. Tourism accounts for almost 20% of the total national output. 

1. Tourism: Famous for its historical cities of Dubrovnik (the Pearl of the Adriatic), Split, and its Plitvice Lakes National Park.
2. Standard of living: Ranked as Very High on the Human Development Index (HDI), which provides universal healthcare and free primary and secondary education.
3. Safety: Croatia is ranked as one of Europe’s safest countries in the world, with a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle.

What is a Croatia Visa from Mumbai?

A Croatia visa from Mumbai is a travel authorization issued by the Croatian authorities allowing the residents of Mumbai to travel to Croatia and other Schengen member states for a specific purpose and duration.

Surprisingly, since Croatia joined the Schengen Zone in January 2023, you no longer need a separate national visa if you already hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa. Yes, you heard it right. The most common of all the visa types is a Schengen visa that you can use for short-stay purposes in the target country for up to 90 days. However, it has a validity period of almost one hundred and eighty days or six months. The short-term reasons include tourism, business, or private visits.

Where Can You Apply for a Croatia Visa from Mumbai?

You can apply for a Croatia visa in Mumbai at the VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. office in Bandra Kurla Complex.

Location on Map

Address

1st Floor, Trade Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E) Mumbai – 400051, India

How to apply

1. You can apply in person at the VFS Centre. 
2. You can complete the visa application form online on the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia website. 

What are the Types of Croatia Visa for Mumbai Citizens?

There are several types of visas for Croatia, including tourist, business, work, student, and family reunion visas. 

So, Mumbaikers can apply for the following visa types in Croatia. 

1. Short-Term Stay (Type C) Schengen Visa

A short-stay Schengen visa (C) allows you to stay in Croatia for up to 90 days and is valid for 180 days. Yet, most tourist visas are single-entry.

So, you can apply for the following Schengen visas.

Schengen Tourist Visa This visa type allows the holder to travel to the country for tourism, holiday, or sightseeing purposes.	Business Visa Mumbai citizens can attend business meetings, conferences, or trade fairs in Croatia with the help of this visa.
Visit Visa This is an ideal category for those who want to travel to Croatia to visit their distant or close family members or friends.	Student Visa It can be either a short-term or long-term visa, based on the duration of the chosen course or program.

2. Long-Term Stay (Type D) National Visa

A long-term stay (Type D) national visa for Croatia is a permit that allows a person to stay in Croatia for more than 90 days. It can be used to obtain a residence permit. 

A long-term National visa is issued to those who want to stay more than 180 days or up to 1 year in Croatia.

A third-country national who has been granted a temporary stay, a work permit, and a residence permit can also visit the target Schengen country. Moreover, a person who needs a short-stay visa to enter Croatia is also eligible for a Croatia National Visa. So, you can apply for the following National visas of Croatia. 

1. Work Visa– to legally work in Croatia.
2. Croatia family reunion visa- for those who want to stay in Croatia for more than 180 days to fulfill the purpose of family reunification. 
3. Study visa– to study in a recognized Croatian educational institution.

3. Airport Transit Visa (Type A)

This visa is issued to those individuals who have to pass through the territory, en route to Croatia, to reach their main (non-Schengen) destination. 

Yet, the airport transit visa is valid for 72 hours to 5 days. Once the visa expires, you need to reapply for a visa. 

All Croatia visas are applied for through VFS Global by following the complete visa application process.

Remember: You must leave Croatia before your visa expires to avoid fines, jail time, or a ban from re-entering the country.

What are the Document Requirements for a Croatia Visa from Mumbai?

To get a Croatia visa from Mumbai, you will need to provide the following visa supporting documents.

Passport

A valid Indian passport with at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also bring all previous passports. Moreover, the passport should not be older than the last ten years. In case of soon-to-expire or signs of wear/tear, ensure to renew it before starting the visa application process.

Visa Application Form

A completed visa application form that is accurately filled out and duly signed by the visa applicant. A single empty field in the application form will lead to immediate rejection. Thus, ensure to provide the requested details, including personal information, travel plans, accommodation details, and a statement declaring the accuracy of the information.

Photographs

Two recent color photographs that meet the specified requirements. Yet, make sure the photographs have a dimension of 35mm by 45mm with a white background. Furthermore, the picture must cover at least 70-80% of the face and shoulders. Also, candidates are advised to avoid wearing any accessories or headbands, except for religious purposes.

Proof of Financial Means

To prove your financial stability, make sure you have enough money in your bank account to cover your expenses. So, you can provide the following documents as proof of financial means. 

• Mini bank statement (for the last 6 months)
• Travelers Cheque
• Cash 
• Salary slips for the previous three to six months
• Income Tax Return slips (ITRs) or Form 16 for the past two to three years
• Sponsorship letter
• Other documents proving your financial stability
• A copy of your international credit card and the last three months’ card statement. 

Travel Health Insurance

Travel insurance that covers medical and travel emergencies with a minimum coverage of EUR 45,000. So, the travel health insurance for Schengen visa is applicable in the following fields of emergencies. 

1. Hospitalization
2. Death
3. Repatriation
4. Evacuation
5. Loss of baggage
6. Flight cancellation

Also note that the insurance policy must be valid for the entire duration of stay in Croatia and the whole Schengen Area. In case of any discrepancy, the authorities will turn down your application.

Flight Reservation

A valid proof of flight itinerary/booking dummy flight ticket for visa is required to prove your travel plans to the Schengen Croatian authorities. Yet, make sure the flight reservation for visa is verified by the airline website.

This is one of the crucial visa requirements that will result in a successful or unsuccessful outcome. Why? This document helps prove your travel intentions and return plans to the visa officials. Besides, authorities recommend that applicants reserve their flight only during the application process instead of purchasing a real flight ticket to save money in case the application gets rejected.

Lastly, this document must mention your flight number, airline company name, reservation ID, travel date/time, departure/arrival airport names, 6-digit PNR, IATA codes, luggage weight, etc.

Hotel Reservation

A valid proof of your stay arrangements in Croatia is a mandatory requirement outlined by the Schengen authorities. Yet, it ensures the authorities that you have reserved a place for your stay in the country.

Notably, proof of accommodation can be a rental agreement for an apartment/house, an invitation letter from the Croatian host, or a hotel reservation. Thus, after choosing a specific facility, make sure that your document carries the name, address, and contact details of the place, along with the check-in and check-out times.

Travel Itinerary

A day-wise itinerary is an essential part of Croatia’s visa application. 

Cover Letter for Croatia Visa

A cover letter for a visa is a mandatory part of Croatia’s visa application. Yet, it briefly describes the purpose of your visit, duration of stay, and other aspects of the visa. So, writing and submitting this document can be a great way to increase the approval chances. Moreover, you can also present your case from a personal point of view to convince the visa officer to grant you the specific visa. 

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents that are relevant to your occupation and the type of visit you’re making. 

1. If you’re employed, you will need to provide a leave-sanctioned certificate from your company, an employment contract, and a salary slip.
2. If students, NOC letters, academic transcripts, letters of enrollment, and proof of language proficiency.
3. If planning to visit a friend or a family member, ensure to have an invitation letter from the host, your relationship with them, their residence permit, and a copy of their passport.
4. Furthermore, if you are a minor traveling alone or with one parent, submit your birth certificate, a signed visa application form, a court order letter in case of parents’ divorce or separation, and a copy of their passports.
5. Lastly, a tourist visa requires you to have a detailed travel itinerary with proof of return or onward travel showing your departure from Croatia before your visa expires.

What are the Steps to Apply for a Croatia Visa from Mumbai?

As mentioned above, a Croatian visa is applied for at VFS Global in Mumbai. So, follow these simple steps to apply for the visa. 

Step 1: Visit VFS Global

The first step is to visit the website of VFS Global for a Croatian visa from Mumbai. This will help you start the visa application process smoothly. On the homepage, you will be given the option of choosing the home and destination countries to move further.

Then, on the next page, click on the Apply for Visa option for further visa processing. After that, a step-by-step guide will be shown on the visa. 

Step 2: Identify Visa

Then, the next step is to identify your visa type from the given multiple options. It can be either a short-stay or long-stay visa, based on the reason for visiting Croatia.

Step 3: Fill Out the Visa Application Form

So, the next step is to fill out the visa application form with accurate details. As mentioned above, the visa application form can be filled out online at the Croatian immigration website. 

So, the online application form can be accessed by following these steps.

Click on the “Enter New Application” to fill out the application for filling out the form online. 

Yet, after filling out the application form, submit it to the embassy and print a copy of the submitted application form. Attach the required documents with the application form, and book an appointment at the embassy. 

Step 4: Schedule the Appointment

The next step is to schedule the appointment at VFS Global regarding the submission of the application form and other essentials. This step is mandatory to complete, as walk-in submissions are not accepted. Once done, you will receive a confirmation email from the officials mentioning the date and time of the appointment.

Step 5: Visit VAC

Then, on the day of the appointment, visit VAC to submit the visa application, along with the visa documents (mentioned above). Moreover, you are also required to complete biometric verification by providing 10 fingerprints and a digital photo. Besides, the authorities may also request you to attend a visa interview to further analyze your travel plans. 

You can visit VFS Global at the above address and location given on the map. 

Step 6: Pay Croatia Visa Fees

After submitting the visa application, pay the visa fees for a Croatia visa from Mumbai. 

The visa fees for a Schengen visa are:

Adults	90 euros or 9,596.61 INR
Children (6 to 12 years)	45 euros or 4,798.31 INR
Children (0-5 years)	Free

Contrary to it, a Croatian National visa may cost you around 93 euros (9,916.50 INR). Whereas, if you have to apply for a residence permit separately, you need to pay 70 euros or 7,464.03 INR to the authorities, along with the administrative fee of 56 euros for a digital nomad visa.

Along with visa fees, you may need to provide the service charges required for facilitating visa services. For instance,

• VFS service charges may cost you approx. €33–€36 (or ₹1,729–₹1,928 depending on current exchange rates).
• Moreover, a courier fee is mandatory for certain cities; in Mumbai, it is approx. ₹1,000.
• Lastly, the Embassy may charge a fixed fee of approx ₹1,600 for legalizing specific documents. 

Step 7: Wait for Confirmation

Return home and wait for the confirmation email from the consulates regarding the status of your visa application. If the application is approved, they will send you a tracker code and the reference number of the application. 

Besides, if the visa application is rejected, then they will mention the reasons for rejection in the email. 

Step 8: Track Visa Application

You can track your visa application via the tracker code. However, the processing time for a Croatia visa application is 15 to 20 days, depending on the circumstances. This is for a Schengen visa application. On the other hand, a long-stay visa requires you to wait for three to six months to receive an answer.

Step 9: Collect Your Passport

Lastly, collect your passport from the consulate within the given time. Besides, if you want to avail of courier services, you may pay additional charges.

Croatia Visa Rejection Reasons and How I Can Avoid Them

Receiving a visa rejection can be very disheartening, given that visa fees are not refundable. For Indians in Mumbai, the Croatian Embassy takes very strict measures to follow Schengen regulations.

The following are some of the most frequent visa rejection reasons and how they can be avoided:

Unclear travel purpose

Reason: This is the most frequent reason for visa rejection. It seems that the embassy does not believe that you are going on either a business or a tourist visa.

Tip: Submit a day-by-day itinerary with the visa documents. Instead of saying that you are going on a 7-day trip to Croatia, give all the places you are going to, like Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, and how you are going to get there.

Proof of Financial Means

Reason: The amount is insufficient, or there are unexplained large deposits.

Tip: Ensure that you have at least €100 (~₹9,100) per day of your intended stay. Keep this amount for 3-6 months before your application. Besides, if a large amount has been deposited into your account recently, prepare a letter explaining it as a bonus from work, the sale of a house, or a gift.

Invalid or Insufficient Travel Insurance

Reason: The insurance is insufficient for the entire Schengen area or lacks a Repatriation of Remains clause.

Tip: Ensure that your insurance is from a Schengen-approved Indian company like Apollo Munich, Bajaj Allianz, ICICI Lombard, etc., that covers at least €30,000. Also, ensure that it has a Covid-19 clause.

Doubtful Intent to Return

Reason: The visa officer thinks that you might intend to overstay and work illegally in the destination country.

Tip: Show that you have strong roots in India. Provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your company on company letterhead, property documents, or family (a marriage certificate and birth certificates of children).

Inconsistent Hotel and Flight Bookings

Reason: The visa officer thinks that the hotel and flight bookings provided were dummy bookings that were cancelled before the embassy verified them.

Tip: Make sure that the bookings provided are genuine. Also, the booking must stay active throughout the processing period. For flights, it is better to use a travel agent to procure a “Hold PNR” that is valid for at least 10-15 days.

Previous Schengen Rejections

Reason: Hiding a past rejection from another country (like France or Germany) is a red flag.

Tip: Be honest. If you were rejected before, attach a cover letter explaining why that happened and how you have corrected the issue this time (e.g., I have now provided the missing financial documents).

Passport Issues

Reason: Your passport is damaged, has less than two blank pages, or was issued more than 10 years ago.

Tip: Check your passport carefully. If it’s old or the lamination is peeling, renew it before applying for the visa.

FAQs- Croatia Visa from Mumbai

Let’s take a look at frequently asked questions by visa applicants about Croatia visas from Mumbai. 

1. What Documents are Required Specifically for Applicants from Mumbai?

In addition to standard requirements, Mumbai applicants should provide:

1. Proof of residence in Mumbai or Maharashtra (utility bills, Aadhaar card, or rental agreement).
2. Recent travel history, if applicable, to prove compliance with previous visas.

2. Are Walk-ins Allowed at the VFS Mumbai Center for Croatia Visa Applications?

No, a prior appointment is mandatory to submit your application at the VFS Global Mumbai center. Walk-ins are not permitted.

3. What are the Working Hours of the VFS Croatia Visa Center in Mumbai?

The VFS center in Mumbai is usually open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. It is closed on weekends and public holidays.

4. Do I need a separate visa to travel to Croatia if I have a valid Schengen visa?

In case you hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen or Type C visa or a National visa from any other Schengen member state, you can enter Croatia without a separate Croatian visa.

5. Where can I submit my visa application in Mumbai?

Applications are generally processed through VFS Global. There are two main centers in Mumbai, one in BKC (Trade Center) and another in Lower Parel (Urmi Estate).

6. How much bank balance is required for a Croatia visa from Mumbai?

Applicants need to ensure that they have sufficient funds while applying for a Croatian visa. Generally, a calculated amount of 70 euros per day is required if you have prepaid accommodation of 100 euros per day if your stay is not fully paid for.

7. Can I apply for a Croatia visa online?

You can fill out the visa application form online at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal. However, you cannot complete the entire process digitally. So, print the visa application form and submit it physically at the VFS Global center.

8. What should I do if I need to stay in Croatia for more than 90 days?

In such a case, you must apply for a National or Type D visa. This is particularly used by those individuals who have been granted a temporary residence or work permit in Croatia for employment or study purposes.

9. How far in advance should I apply for a Croatia visa from Mumbai?

You can apply for a visa up to six months before your trip. Besides, applicants are recommended to apply at least 3-4 weeks in advance, especially during the peak summer months (May to August) when application backlogs due to high volume are common.

10. Is travel insurance mandatory to get a Croatian visa?

Yes, Croatia is a Schengen country; thus, having travel health insurance is mandatory for Mumbai travelers. Moreover, it must have a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros and should stay valid for the entire Schengen Area and the duration of your stay in Croatia.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are attracted to Croatia due to its beautiful coastline on the Adriatic Sea, its history as a former kingdom, or its current state as a completely integrated Schengen member, going through the visa process from Mumbai is the first essential step. While the transition to the Euro has made travel easy, Indians must remain attentive in following the VFS Global process. Thus, this will make sure all financial and medical information is precise.

Moreover, with careful planning and research of your Type C or Type D application well in advance of your departure, you will be able to make the transition from the vibrant streets of Mumbai to the vibrant streets of Zagreb or Dubrovnik.

Besides, SFRV Travels will also assist you in gathering your visa documents, including flight booking, hotel reservation, and travel health insurance, from the comfort of your home. Bon Voyage!

Suggested Reading:

Bulgaria visa from Mumbai → Learn how to apply for a Bulgaria visa from Mumbai via the VFS Global Center, with full document and appointment guidance.

Lithuania visa from Mumbai → A complete overview for getting a Lithuania visa from Mumbai, including visa types, required documents, and how to apply.

Slovakia visa from Mumbai → A step-by-step guide for Mumbai residents applying for a Slovakia Schengen visa, covering documents, fees, and processing details.

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