Old information about the Croatia visa still circulates: that Croatia issues a national visa, that a Schengen visa will not get you into Dubrovnik. That was true until 2023. Since 1 January 2023 Croatia has been a full member of the Schengen area, and for citizens of Azerbaijan the process is identical to any other Schengen country: 35 euros, VFS Global, a Schengen visa.
What is particular to Croatia is the season: demand for the Adriatic coast rises so sharply in summer that finding an appointment at the visa centre becomes hard. This article covers the process, the documents, the timing and how to combine Croatia with visa-free neighbours.
Croatia visa: the essentials
| Visa type | «C» type Schengen visa |
| Consular fee | 35 euros; free under 12 |
| Where documents go | The VFS Global centre in Baku |
| Centre’s service charge | About 21 euros |
| Processing time | 15 days, longer in summer |
| Direct flights | None; via Istanbul or Vienna |
| Currency | Euro |
How to apply
The Croatian embassy has delegated intake to the VFS Global centre in Baku. You book an appointment on the VFS site, hand in the documents on the day, give fingerprints, and the passport goes to the embassy. A decision usually comes within 15 days. The official rules are on the Croatian Foreign Ministry’s visa page.
One important point: now that Croatia is in Schengen, a multiple-entry visa issued by any other Schengen country also gets you in. So if you hold a valid Italian or German visa, you do not need a separate Croatian one — just watch the 90/180 limit.
The summer rush: when to apply
The great majority of trips to Croatia fall between June and September. In May and June a VFS appointment can slip three or four weeks away, and the embassy’s processing time stretches too. Schengen rules allow you to apply up to six months before the trip. Starting in April or May for an August holiday is normal; starting in June is risky. Book hotels early as well, because Dubrovnik and Split fill up in summer and free-cancellation bookings run out fast.
Documents for a Croatia visa
The Adriatic route: three countries on one visa
Croatia’s geography opens an interesting option for citizens of Azerbaijan. Mostar in Bosnia is three hours from Dubrovnik, and Bosnia admits citizens of Azerbaijan without a visa. So you can enter Croatia on one Schengen visa, then travel around Bosnia visa-free, and the days spent there do not count towards the Schengen limit. Montenegro has required a visa from citizens of Azerbaijan since January 2026; but under its general rule, holders of a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa may enter for up to 30 days without one — so the multiple-entry Schengen visa you obtained for Croatia also opens the Bay of Kotor. Confirm that before you travel.
One thing to watch when planning: the Croatian visa must be multiple entry, because leaving for Bosnia and returning to Dubrovnik counts as a second entry. On a single-entry visa you cannot come back once you have left Croatia. Ask for a multiple-entry visa on the form and justify the route.
How to get from Baku to Croatia
There is no direct flight. Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik are reached with Turkish Airlines and Pegasus via Istanbul, or Austrian Airlines via Vienna. Choice is wide in summer; Dubrovnik services thin out in winter. There is an alternative through Montenegro: Baku–Tivat fares are often cheaper than Dubrovnik flights in summer, and it is a two-hour bus from Tivat to Dubrovnik. In that case the Schengen visa you obtained for Croatia has to be multiple entry: you enter Montenegro visa-free for up to 30 days on it, and crossing into Dubrovnik counts as entering Schengen.
Croatia is also a Mediterranean cruise stop; itineraries calling at Dubrovnik and Split spend a day in Croatia, and that too requires a Schengen visa.
Frequently asked questions about the Croatia visa
How long does it take?
The embassy states 15 days, up to 30 in summer. With the VFS appointment, the whole process can run five to eight weeks in season.
Is an old Croatian national visa still valid?
National visas issued before 2023 remain valid for Croatia until they expire, but they do not give entry to other Schengen countries.
Can you take a hire car into Bosnia?
You can, but you need the rental company’s cross-border permission and green-card insurance, otherwise the car will not be let across.
In closing
A Croatia visa is now an ordinary Schengen visa. The difficulty is the season: for a summer trip, start in spring and ask for multiple entry. The Viza.az team books the VFS appointment, prepares the file and plans the Croatia–Bosnia route so the visa works.
Read more about Croatia as a destination and our service fees, or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is accurate as of the publication date. Fees and visa centre procedures can change, so check the official pages again before applying.
