Croatia Cracks Down on Visa Abuse: Stricter Rules for Foreign Workers

Croatia has implemented stricter visa and work permit regulations after uncovering significant misuse, particularly among Bangladeshi nationals. After securing legal permits, authorities discovered that many foreign workers never arrived in Croatia or used their visas to enter other Schengen countries illegally.

Alarming Statistics on Visa and Work Permit Abuse

In 2023, Croatia issued work permits and visas to 12,400 Bangladeshi nationals. However:

• 8,000 never arrived in Croatia, with only their luggage making the journey.
• Of the 4,400 who did arrive, only about 50% are currently employed.
• Similar violations were reported among workers from India, Nepal, the Philippines, and Egypt, but Bangladeshi nationals accounted for the highest cases.

At present, around 7,000 to 8,000 Bangladeshi nationals are legally employed in Croatia. Due to these findings, the government has suspended or significantly restricted new work permits and visas for Bangladeshi applicants until further notice.

Govt Response and Potential Visa Suspension

Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs has officially raised concerns with the Bangladeshi Embassy in The Hague. The government warned that work permits and visas could be suspended indefinitely if corrective actions are not taken.

In response, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged the issue and assured that measures will be implemented to prevent further misuse.

Enhanced Screening for Visa Applicants

Croatia’s Ministry of the Interior has labelled Bangladeshi nationals as a high-risk migration group. Many visa holders were found staying in other Schengen countries instead of Croatia. Some even abandoned their journey while transiting through European airports, with only their luggage reaching Croatia.

To address this, Croatia will now:

• Conduct stricter background checks on all third-country applicants, including Bangladeshi nationals.
• Assess each applicant’s intent and migration risk before approving visas or work permits.
• Deny applications if there is evidence or reasonable suspicion of visa misuse.

Crackdown on Employment Agencies

Authorities are also scrutinizing employment agencies involved in processing work permits. Reports indicate that some agencies have failed to comply with legal agreements, contributing to the problem.

To counter this, the government will:

• Investigate recruitment agencies suspected of misconduct.
• Take strict action against agencies violating labour laws.
• Strengthen regulations to prevent further abuse.

Future Outlook for Foreign Workers in Croatia

While these measures may temporarily limit Bangladeshi nationals from obtaining work permits, Croatia remains open to structured agreements that allow legitimate labour migration.

Strengthened cooperation between Croatian and Bangladeshi authorities could help resolve these issues and restore trust in the work visa process. Until then, foreign workers should stay informed about evolving visa policies and comply with all immigration regulations to avoid disruptions in their employment plans.

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