Croatia is one of those countries where Pakistani nationals require a visa, whether tourists or otherwise. In Pakistan, the Croatian embassy operates from Islamabad, the capital of the country.
Croatia is part of the European Union (EU) and enjoys a stable and progressive economic status. The country attracts companies and individuals alike to expand and settle here to reap greater commercial benefits. For individuals, there are several ways they can obtain long-term and permanent residence in Croatia.
The Croatian government revised its Foreigners Act in 2021, which essentially abolished the quota system; meaning that the work permits were granted only when the country was below a certain quota. Now, employers need to apply for the work permit of potential employees through the Employment Services (HZZ). HZZ assesses whether the required position can be filled by a Croatian or EU national looking for employment before allowing a third-country citizen to occupy the same position.
Immigration by way of work permit
A foreigner from Pakistan can apply for a skilled/non-skilled job through a placement agent in Croatia or online. Once they have secured a job, the employer will then apply for a work permit. Subsequently, the employee will apply for a long-term visa based on the work permit. The required documents are listed below:
- Copy of employee’s passport
- Recent photographs (passport size)
- Proof of maintaining decent subsistence
- Health insurance coverage
- Employment contract (terms & conditions, duration, position, salary, & other details must be laid out)
- Academic qualifications (degrees, certifications, training, skills, etc.)
- Company registration of the employer
Permanent residency & long-term stay
The two main types of residence status granted to third-country citizens are a) Dugotrajno boravište (long-term residence) and b) Stalni boravak (permanent residency). Both categories are offered for an indefinite period, and the only difference is that permanent residency has more favorable terms.
The eligibility to apply for any long-term residency depends on the applicant’s stay in the country. The law stipulates that the applicant must have lived in the country for 5 years continuously. A continuous stay comprises a stay in Croatia without being absent for more than 10 months in 5 years or 6 months in one go. The stay must have a legal status, which means either one of the below conditions must be fulfilled.
- Temporary residence (work permit, student, etc.)
- Asylum (political, etc.)
- Subsidiary protection (POW, high-value individual, etc.)
Regarding permanent residency, Pakistani nationals need to qualify for the status provided they satisfy all or any of the below-mentioned conditions.
- One or more blood relations have Croatian nationality (spouse, parents, etc.)
- Having a refugee status for at least 10 years
- People who had a residence in Croatia till 1991, and left Croatia for some reason, can now use the program for the return or renovation of houses.
- Children who have one or both parents that have had a permanent stay in Croatia
Process for application
Eligible persons can apply for permanent status by visiting a police station nearest to their residence in Croatia and submitting the necessary documents similar to submitting for a temporary stay permit.
The requirement to prepare an application are:
- Duly filled application Obrazac 1a provided by the police
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Home country passport
- Financial status (proving that the applicant can support decent subsistence)
- Health insurance coverage
- Proof that the applicant has elementary knowledge of the Croatian language
Note that the proof for language is provided by submitting the results of a language test conducted by one of the qualified and prescribed institutes. The candidate has to score certain points to claim preliminary/elementary knowledge of the Croatian language.
Applicants that are exempted to take the test are:
- Pre-school age
- Have completed any level of education in Croatia (primary, secondary, or higher)
- Unemployed
- Over the age of 65
Proof of adequate financial means
Proving adequate financial means is detrimental to the success of the application. Though the amount varies depending upon the situation, the applicant must present 3 salaries from a Croatian company at the very least. Where the application is based on marriage, the Croatian spouse must submit the salary slips.
The table below shows how much amount is considered adequate in various situations:
| S.no | Situation | Adequate finances in percentage (avg national monthly salary) | Adequate finances in figures |
| 1. | Students | 15-25% | EUR 141 – 230 |
| 2. | Entrepreneurs | 21% | EUR 237 (additional EUR 95 for each family member) |
| 3. | Family members of Croatian citizens | NOT REQUIRED | NOTE REQUIRED |
