Croatian travellers to the US: ESTA and biometric passport cover stays up to 90 days

Citizens of Croatia can travel to the United States for tourism or business without first obtaining a visa, provided they hold an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) and travel on a biometric passport. The arrangement falls under the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which the US government applies to citizens of certain countries and which the reported entry arrangements at the Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles airports rely on.

The authorisation permits stays of up to 90 days. No separate airport-specific rules, start date or fees were published.

Key facts

• Who qualifies: citizens or nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country — Croatia is included in the list of 42 participating countries and territories.
• Documents: an approved ESTA plus an electronic or biometric passport.
• Length of stay: a maximum of 90 days.
• Permitted purposes: tourism, business, family visits, medical treatment or transit.
• Travel: the trip must be with an airline or shipping company authorised to take part in the program.
• Timing: ESTA approval must be obtained before boarding the plane or ship.

What is ESTA and who can use it?

ESTA is a digital authorisation that lets eligible travellers go to the United States without applying for a tourist or business visa, as long as the Visa Waiver Program conditions are met. It is intended for citizens of the countries that take part in the program and allows entry for a maximum of 90 days.

Why is a biometric passport required?

The Visa Waiver Program requires travellers to hold an electronic or biometric passport. This document carries a chip with the holder's identity information, which can be scanned to confirm that the passport belongs to the traveller.

The passport must meet the security standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and show the international electronic passport symbol on its cover.

Which countries take part?

According to information published on the US State Department's official website, the United States currently recognises 42 participating countries and territories. Croatia is listed among the European participants, alongside countries including Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Andorra, Slovakia and Slovenia. Chile is the sole participant in the Americas; Brunei, Israel, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan cover Asia and the Middle East; and Australia and New Zealand represent Oceania.

What are the requirements for ESTA?

• Be a citizen or national of a participating country.
• Hold an electronic passport with an embedded chip that meets international security standards.
• Keep the trip within the 90-day limit.
• Travel for an authorised purpose such as tourism, business, a family visit, medical treatment or transit.
• Use an airline or shipping company authorised to participate in the program.
• Have ESTA approval in hand before boarding.

What this means for travellers

Travellers holding Croatian citizenship should check that their passport is electronic or biometric and shows the international symbol on the cover before planning a US trip. They also need ESTA approval before boarding and must keep the visit within 90 days.

Neither a visa nor ESTA guarantees entry into the United States: that decision rests with the immigration officer handling the case on arrival.