Croatia is included in the group of countries whose citizens do not need a visa to stay in the United States, up to three months, or 90 days. As Croatia is now a new participant in the Visa Waiver Program, the decision made, as emphasized by the US Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Majorca, represents an important recognition for the common security and economic interests of the two countries.
“I congratulate Croatia on becoming the 40th member of the program, after fulfilling the strict criteria,” Majorkas pointed out, as reported by the Voice of America.
The Electronic Travel Authorization System (ESTA), as announced, will be changed by December 1 this year at the latest, to enable Croatian citizens to apply for a stay in the United States for up to 90 days without a visa. Through this program, citizens of countries can travel without a visa for tourism or work for a specified period of 90 days.
To qualify for participation in the Program at all, countries must meet the criteria related to the fight against terrorism, law enforcement, immigration, document security, and border management.
According to a statement from the Secretariat for Internal Security, the rate of refusal of non-immigrant visas must be below three percent, and there must be close cooperation with American law enforcement and counter-terrorism services.
