Croatian visa resources
Appointments and biometrics for a Croatia visa
Croatia takes fingerprints when you lodge the visa D and again for the biometric residence permit at a police administration after a decision.
Important
Biometrics are collected at two points in Croatia's national process. When you lodge a long-stay visa (visa D) application at a Croatian embassy/consulate or an authorised VFS Global Visa Application Centre, fingerprints are taken at submission (some categories are exempt). Later, when your temporary stay is approved, you are called in to give biometric data again for the biometric residence permit.
Where you apply depends on your nationality and purpose: many applicants file the temporary-stay request at a Croatian diplomatic mission/consular post before travelling, while visa-exempt nationals and certain categories (students, researchers, family reunification, humanitarian) can apply in Croatia at the competent police administration.
How the appointments work
- Visa D: apply at a Croatian embassy/consulate or an authorised VFS Global Visa Application Centre; fingerprints taken at submission
- If no Croatian mission exists in your country, apply at the nearest Croatian embassy elsewhere
- After a temporary-stay decision, applicants are notified to appear at the competent police administration/station to provide biometric data
- The biometric residence permit is then produced and issued (standard or accelerated production available for a higher fee)
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.