Unemployment in Croatia remains high, with many Croatians leaving for other countries to obtain employment.  Yet, the tourist industry continues to flourish and English is the second language of the coastal resorts.  Finding work in a specialized area of the tourist business is a good possibility.

Teachers of English will find some opportunity to work, especially in the outlying areas, and environmental and renovation volunteers are always welcomed.

A non-citizen CAN obtain employment in Croatia with a Business Visa or an Employment Visa, plus a work permit in hand. 

The Business Visa pertains to employees of Croatian companies who relocate and work in Croatia for less than one year.  There is an exception:  If you act as a company director, or are a new investor in Croatia, the Business Visa is required, but the work permit is not. 

Getting a Business Visa
Visas are issued at the Croatian consulate. However, the involvement of the Ministry of Labor is required because a "Resolution" is needed to confirm the skills of the worker.  The same holds true of the immigration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in order to validate the Business Visa upon entry, which will take place at a local police station.

The documents required for a Business Visa application include: 

    Completed application form that is obtained from a
    Croatian diplomatic mission or consulate

    Resolution from the Ministry of Labor

    A notarized copy of the ID page of the applicant's
    passport, or the passport itself, and an application
    fee of approximately $50US or in the currency of
    your native country.  

    A rental agreement for your residence.  Also, the ID
    card of landlord, and proof of landlord's ownership 

    Presentation of this evidence is required upon
    registration of the Business Visa, which must take
    place within 24 hours of entry into Croatia.   

Additional documentation is required when the Business Visa is for the purpose of working at an existing Croatian company, although the Resolution from the Ministry of Labor is not needed.  That includes: 

    Two copies of proof of the company’s formation
    from the court registry in Croatia

    Proof of the appointment of the applicant as a
    director of the company in Croatia

    Additional letter of intent from the company
    addressed to the Croatian Embassy or Consulate in
    the applicant's country.

Business Visas are issued for the entire period of the assignment, but for no longer than one year, when they must be renewed.

Business Visas are separate from the work permit, and foreign nationals in possession of a Business Visa must also apply for a work permit upon entry into Croatia.

Where a Business Visa is being acquired for a technical expert to work at an existing Croatian company, the Croatian employer will take care of the business technical agreement or work assignment documentation that is required.

Regulations for Foreign Investors
For new foreign investors in Croatia, a Resolution from the Ministry of Labor must be obtained in advance. It is not clear whether the local consulate is able to acquire the Resolution from the Ministry of Labor on behalf of the applicant. Check with your local consulate. However, it is in the best interests of the applicant to acquire the Resolution ahead of applying for the Business Visa. 

It is much easier for ethnic Croatians to enter Croatia in order to establish a business, and many companies seem to use this entry route.  A Croatian enters the country, establishes a company, and arranges for the entry of non-ethnic Croatians by sponsoring an Employment Visa.

Upon Arrival in Croatia
Within 24 hours of arriving in Croatia on a Business Visa, you must register it with the Ministry of Internal Affairs at a local police station. The first purpose of this registration is to inform the authorities of the applicant's residential address; and the second is to apply for an "extended residency permit" or "white card".

This process has a fee of 20 Kuna, and requires the following documentation: 
    Passport and copy of passport (including visa)

    The Resolution from the Ministry of Labor

    Two photos

    Copy of the company's registration and a 
     ZAP statement, which is not  possible if it is a new,
     foreign, non-ethnic-Croatian investor

    Completed application form for a Business Visa

    Hotel's stamp, or copy of a lease and the property
    owner's identification

Registration at the police station typically takes one to two hours if documentation is in order. It is difficult for an individual to make such arrangements without first visiting Croatia and obtaining living arrangements, or upon arrival without the sponsorship of a Croatian employer, or the comprehensive services of  consulting company.

Actually receiving the "White Card" or "extended residency permit' will take two to three weeks. The applicant (or his agent) should check on its progress periodically, in case the application is incomplete. Once approved, the applicant must go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to get the "extended residency permit" stamped into his passport.