Exchange Visitor Visa (J)

The United States Government and many private organizations sponsor a wide variety of exchange programs. These include academic and cultural exchanges, as well as au-pair programs and summer work and travel programs. Croatian citizens who plan to take part in one of these programs require an Exchange Visa (J). Please note that to be approved for this type of visa, you must have already been accepted for the specific program and will need to bring the form DS-2019 issued by the Department of State. You are required to bring your original Form DS-2019. If you are a student, you must bring your original index.

You are also required to bring your SEVIS fee confirmation payable at www.fmjfee.com.

Steps that need to be completed in order to apply for this type of visa:

Step 1. Make an Appointment

Make an appointment online by clicking here. Please schedule only one appointment per person 14 years of age and older. (Applicants older than 80 or younger than 14 may mail or drop off their application with recommended documentation for review by a Visa Officer.  If a Visa Officer is not able to determine your qualifications, you may be required to come to the Embassy for an interview.) We will not accept multiple appointments for the same person.

Step 2. Have your Photo Taken

The photo should be taken within the last 6 months, and should be in accordance with U.S. visa photo guidelines.

The application form requires a digital photo to be uploaded as part of the application process. You will need to upload this photo when you fill out the on-line visa application.

Step 3. Fill Out the DS-160 Application Form Online

To access the form online please click here. For more helpful hints on filling out the non-immigrant visa application, form DS-160, particularly concerning how to upload your photo and how to save the data, please see our presentation:

• DS-160 Non-Immigrant Visa Form (English) (PDF 681 KB)
• DS-160 obrazac za neuseljeničku vizu (Hrvatski) (PDF 725 KB)

Please be thorough in answering the questions. Incomplete applications or those containing non-responsive answers will be rejected.

When you successfully submit the application on-line a confirmation page containing a barcode at the top will be displayed - you must print this confirmation page and bring it with you to your interview.

Step Four: Pay a Non-refundable Application Fee of $160US at any Branch of Zagrebacka Bank

For branch locations, click here. You do not need an account number for payment. Applicants must present the original receipt for the application fee at their interview. Applications will not be accepted without original receipt.

Step Five: Collect Supporting Documentation that may be Helpful in your Interview

Supporting documents can be found by clicking here.

If you have ever had a problem with law enforcement or the courts, including expunged or pardoned cases, please click here (PDF 588 KB) for information about additional required documents. Lack of recommended documentation at your interview may delay visa issuance.

Step Six: Appear for your Interview at the Scheduled Time

Please be sure to bring with you to your interview:

• The confirmation page from your on-line DS-160 application
• One recent color photo (click here for photo guidelines) 
• Valid passport
• Original receipt from Zagrebacka Bank showing appropriate fee paid
• Visa interview appointment confirmation page
• Supporting documentation.

Step Seven: Collect your Visa

If approved, your visa will be ready the following business day (Monday through Friday) at 3:00 p.m., and passports can be picked up in person at the consular entrance.

Alternatively, applicants may opt to have their passports be returned by registered mail or by arranging a delivery via private courier. Find out how by clicking here.

Important Information

If you are applying for more than one visa type you must fill out two application forms, one for each visa type. You are also required to make two application fee payments at Zagrebacka bank. The only exception applies to cases when you are applying for visa categories B1/B2 and C1/D at the same time, in which case you need to pay only one application fee but you still need to fill out two application forms.

Please note that visa applications can be submitted only within the three months prior to your anticipated travel date.

If you work, study or are otherwise resident outside of Croatia, you are advised to apply for your visa in that country.