*** All airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken no more than one calendar day prior to travel. Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing for International Travel
Visa Waiver Program
Beginning October 23, 2021, Croatian citizens are able to travel to the United States without visas, upon obtaining approval from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online. Travelers are encouraged to apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before the planned trip.
Visa-free travelers must have passports with embedded computer chips and must obtain an ESTA, which currently costs $14 and is valid for up to two years for multiple trips to the United States.
Travelers should only use the official ESTA website at esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
Croatian citizens wishing to travel in the United States for longer than 90 days, or who wish to engage in activities requiring other visa categories (e.g., to work or to study in the United States) still need to apply for the appropriate category of visa. Croatian citizens who are denied ESTA also need to apply for a visa.
Complete details on the Visa Waiver Program (including ESTA) are available on the U.S. Embassy’s website: https://hr.usembassy.gov, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s ESTA website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, and the State Department’s travel website at http://travel.state.gov.
Routine Visa Services Available
U.S. Embassy Zagreb is processing routine nonimmigrant visa interview appointments. However, please be advised that due to the sizeable backlog of appointments for residents and nationals of Croatia, non-residents of Croatia may face a considerable wait time.
To apply for a visa interview you must register in the system, make payment and schedule the first available appointment. Next, please follow the guidance provided at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-hr/niv/information/faqs#need_learlier_appt to request an emergency appointment.
The procedure for E visa applications remains the same per instructions on the website.
Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee validity is extended until September 30, 2023, for individuals who paid an MRV fee but were unable to schedule and/or attend an interview during the suspension of services.
All visitors over the age of two years old to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb are required to wear a face covering during their appointment. The Consulate will not provide face coverings, and you will be denied entry if you do not bring a covering with you. Please plan ahead.
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
See our Directory of Visa Categories on usvisas.state.gov to determine which visa category might be appropriate for your purpose of travel to the United States.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Travel to the United States on a temporary basis, including tourism, temporary employment, study and exchange.
Immigrant Visas
For foreign citizens who want to live permanently in the United States.
What is a Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.
(Note: U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit.).
Contact Us
For questions about nonimmigrant visas please contact Global Support Services.
For questions about immigrant visas, please email ZagrebIV@state.gov.
Customer Service Statement
The Department of State manages the visa process strictly but fairly in order to best protect the United States. We are committed to the essential openness for which the United States has always been known. Travel to the United States is welcomed and encouraged.
We promise to you, the visa applicant, that:
- We will treat you with dignity and respect, even if we are unable to grant you a visa.
- We will treat you as an individual and your case as unique.
- We will remember that, to you, a visa interview may be a new or intimidating experience and that you may be nervous.
- We will use the limited time available for the interview to get as full a picture as possible of your travel plans and intentions.
- We will use our available resources to fairly assist all applicants to get appointments to allow travel in time for business, study, and other important obligations.
- We will post detailed and accurate information on visa requirements and application procedures on every Embassy and Consulate website.
- We will provide information on non-immigrant appointment waiting times at every Embassy and Consulate posted on https://travel.state.gov.
- We will explain the reason for any visa denial to you.
Furthermore, if you are a:
- Student, we will make every effort to ensure that you get an appointment and, if qualified, a visa in time to start classes.
- Medical and humanitarian emergency traveler, we will expedite processing for those dealing with life threatening emergencies.
- Business traveler, we will establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate business travel and expedite cases of particular concern to American business.
At the same time, we expect you, the visa applicant, to:
- Plan your travel and visa application as far in advance as possible.
- Complete your application fully and accurately.
- Be forthcoming about your purpose and plans.
- Prepare for your interview by being able to clearly and concisely describe your intentions.
