Patience And Persistence: My Journey To Obtaining A Work Visa For Croatia

Introduction

Traveling to another country for work can be an exciting and rewarding experience. For many individuals, it is a chance to experience a new culture, learn a new language, and gain valuable professional experience. 

However, the process of obtaining a work visa can be complicated and time-consuming. In this article, we will discuss my experience with obtaining a work visa for Croatia and their journey to Mumbai, India, to complete the necessary VFS process.

The Journey To Obtaining A Work Visa

Obtaining a work visa for any country can be a challenging and time-consuming process. In the case of Croatia, there are several steps that must be completed before a work visa can be issued. The first step is to obtain a Work Permit from the Croatian Ministry of Labor and Pension System. 

This requires an employer in Croatia to sponsor we and provide a job offer. Once the work permit is obtained, we can then apply for a work visa. In this particular case, I had already obtained a work permit and was ready to apply for a work visa. 

I decided to complete the VFS process in Mumbai, India, because appointment of VFS was not available in other places and it had been more than 1 month since the Work Permit came. VFS is a company that provides visa application services on behalf of various embassies and consulates around the world. 

I handle the administrative aspects of the visa application process, such as collecting documents and fees, and forwarding them to the relevant embassy or consulate.

The VFS Process

I traveled to Mumbai, India, to complete the VFS process for their work visa to Croatia. I arrived in Mumbai on March 21 and went to the VFS office to submit their application on March 22. We did not go directly from Nepal to Mumbai, we first went to Delhi and from there we went to Mumbai by train, It took 24 hours. 

When we came back to Nepal, we came to Lucknow by flight and from there we came to Nepal by booking 2 cabs.

And I want to say one more thing, we were a group of 7 people and we arrived 1 day before the VFS. For hotel stay we paid INR.3000 only for one night and for food outside the hotel we had Chicken Briyani costing INR.120 in total.

The process involved several steps, including providing biometric data (fingerprints and a photograph), submitting documents, and paying the visa fee.

I found the VFS process to be relatively straightforward, and the staff was helpful in answering any questions they had. However, they were advised that it could take several weeks for the visa to be issued. This was due to delays caused by the entering in Schengen Country and the backlog of visa applications.

Some pictures taken while in Delhi

Waiting For The Visa

After completing the VFS process, I returned home and begin waiting for their work visa to be issue. I knew that it could take several weeks, so I tried to remain patient and focus on preparing for their trip to Croatia.

However, as time passed, I became increasingly anxious about the status of their visa application. I began checking the visa status online every day, hoping for some news. Unfortunately, the online system did not provide any updates, and I was left in the dark.

I hope after almost a month of waiting, I will receive an email from the Croatian embassy in India. The email informs me that their visa application had been approved and that I could collect their passport from the VFS office.

Flying To Croatia

If the work visa issue finally happens, I will have to prepare to go to Croatia. Our manpower company will book the flight and they will complete ant necessary paperwork and arrange all the necessary documents for entry into Croatia. 

I will also arrange the necessary things while staying there. After finishing all the preparations, I will fly to Croatia and begin their new job. I find the experience to be incredibly rewarding, and I enjoy the opportunity to work in a new country and culture. 

Conclusion

Obtaining a work visa for a foreign country can be a complicated and time-consuming process. It involves various steps, including obtaining a work permit, submitting the visa application, and waiting for the visa to be issued.

Although it can be a challenging process, it can also be an exciting and rewarding experience. Working in a new country provides individuals with the opportunity to learn about a new culture, gain valuable professional experience, and broaden their horizons.

In this particular case, I had to travel to Mumbai, India, to complete the VFS process for their work visa to Croatia. Despite the delays caused by the entering in Schengen Country and visa application backlogs, they remained patient and persistent in their pursuit of the visa.

If their work visa is finally issued, We will have the opportunity to travel to Croatia and begin their new job. Overall, the experience of obtaining a work visa can be challenging, but it is ultimately a valuable and rewarding experience.