ZAGREB – The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will now allow citizens and nationals of Croatia to apply to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a U.S. visa. Croatia’s membership in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is an important step toward further strengthening long-standing economic and security cooperation between the United States and Croatia.
“We are incredibly pleased that Croatian citizens now enjoy the ability to travel to the United States visa free,” said U.S. Embassy Zagreb Chargé d’Affaires Mark Fleming. “This has been a long but worthwhile process, and we applaud the Croatian government for successfully meeting the strict requirements of the Visa Waiver Program. My entire team and I at the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb are thrilled to witness this important milestone that further deepens the bonds between the American and Croatian people.”
The VWP is a comprehensive security partnership between the United States and designated countries that facilitates international travel to the United States for business or tourism without a visa for up to 90 days while protecting national security. To participate in the VWP, a country must meet requirements related to counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management on an ongoing basis. These requirements include having a rate of nonimmigrant visa refusals below three percent, issuing secure travel documents, and working closely with U.S. law enforcement and counterterrorism authorities.
ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta. The Department of Homeland Security recommends travelers submit their travel authorization applications as early as possible and at least 72 hours prior to travel. VWP travelers are not required to have specific plans to travel to the United States before they apply for ESTA. ESTA authorizations are generally valid for two years. Travelers with valid B1/B2 visas should continue to use their visa for travel to the United States.
For more information on ESTA applications, please visit the CBP ESTA website. For more information on the VWP, please visit the DHS VWP website.