Croats can now travel to the U.S. for business and tourist purposes without visas

Croatian citizens will no longer need a visa to travel to the United States for purposes such as business or tourism, as the latter’s authorities have confirmed that Croatians can now enter the U.S. without a visa as soon as they obtain approval to through Electronics. Travel Authorization System (ESTA).

The recent decision was revealed in a statement issued by the US embassy in Zagreb, reports SchengenVisaInfo.com.

“That day has come! Congratulations to Croatia for officially joining the Visa Waiver program. If you plan to go to the United States for business or pleasure, you must complete an ESTA application form, “the Embassy said in a statement.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic also congratulated the decision.

“We have met all the criteria and achieved a strategic goal for the benefit of Croatian citizens. As a result, we are opening a new page in relations, strengthening our partnership and creating preconditions for greater cooperation and economic investment, “said Plenković.

At the same time, the Minister of the Interior, Davor Božinović, stressed that Croatia had to meet very demanding criteria to become a participant in the United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP), while considering that the completion of this program was an important achievement. for the Croats.

Croatia became part of the VWP on September 28, after US authorities confirmed that the Balkan country met all the necessary criteria to become the new member of this scheme.

It was then reported that Croats could travel without visas to the United States for commercial or tourist purposes only with a travel permit from December 1, 2021. However, the process was completed earlier than planned and, as of October 23, Croatian citizens are eligible to travel without visas to the US.

The U.S. VWP, managed by the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State, is designed to allow travelers from other countries, now 40 countries, to enter the United States for travel and business purposes for a total of 90 days without a visa.

However, countries must meet several requirements to be part of this scheme. Conditions that other territories must meet also include the fight against terrorism, the law, border management, immigration, as well as the percentage of non-immigrant visa denials that should be less than three per cent. one hundred.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has urged all travelers to apply for the ESTA as soon as possible. The ESTA application is valid for two years.