Croatia Implements Stricter Regulations for Foreign Workers in Response to Visa Abuse

After extensive misuse was discovered, Croatia tightened its restrictions around work permits and visas. Other third-country candidates will also be impacted by the new regulations, which are mainly directed at citizens of Bangladesh and may result in longer processing times and more thorough background checks.

Croatia has tightened its rules around work permits and visas after discovering widespread abuse, especially among Bangladeshi nationals. Authorities found that many foreign workers who had obtained legal permits either never made it to Croatia or unlawfully entered other Schengen nations using their visas.

Concerning Data on Abuse of Work Permits and Visas

• 12,400 citizens of Bangladesh were granted visas and work permits by Croatia in 2023. But:

• Only their stuff made the trip, and 8,000 never made it to Croatia.

• Only roughly half of the 4,400 people who did show up are working today.

• Although workers from Egypt, the Philippines, Nepal, and India all claimed similar abuses, the majority of cases were recorded by Bangladeshi nationals.

Currently, there are between 7,000 and 8,000 Bangladeshi nationals working lawfully in Croatia. The government has stopped or severely limited new work permits and visas for Bangladeshi applicants until further notice as a result of these discoveries.

Government Reaction and Possible Suspension of Visas

The Bangladeshi Embassy in The Hague has been the subject of formal concerns from Croatia's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. If corrective action is not done, the government warned, work permits and visas may be suspended indefinitely.

Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded by admitting the problem and promising to take action to stop future abuse.

Improved Visa Applicants Screening

Bangladeshi nationals have been classified as a high-risk migratory group by Croatia's Ministry of the Interior. Instead of Croatia, many visa holders were discovered to be staying in other Schengen nations. With only their bags arriving in Croatia, some even decided to forego their trip while passing through airports throughout Europe.

In order to remedy this, Croatia shall now:

• Verify the backgrounds of all applicants from third countries, particularly those from Bangladesh, more thoroughly.

• Before granting visas or work permits, evaluate the purpose and migration risk of each application.

• If there is proof or a plausible suspicion of visa abuse, reject applications.

Attack against Employment Organisations

The employment agencies that handle work permit procedures are also being closely examined by authorities. According to reports, the issue has been exacerbated by certain agencies' noncompliance with legal agreements.

In response, the government will:

• Examine employment agencies that may be involved in wrongdoing.

• Take decisive action against organisations that break labour rules.

• To stop more abuse, restrictions should be strengthened.

Prospects for Foreign Employees in Croatia

Although these actions might make it more difficult for citizens of Bangladesh to get work permits in the short term, Croatia is nevertheless amenable to formal agreements that authorise lawful labour movement.

Increased collaboration between Bangladeshi and Croatian authorities may be able to address these problems and rebuild confidence in the work visa application procedure. To prevent delays in their job plans, foreign workers should, until then, keep up with changes in visa policy and adhere to all immigration laws.