If you are a U.S. citizen and will travel to Croatia there are some things you need to know. Croatia is not a member of the European Union, but it is a candidate for EU membership and is expected to join in 2013. This means that until the prospective membership is confirmed in the country will be hold series of reforms to meet the EU regulations. During this period, it is better to connect with the Croatian Embassy or Consulate in the United States and ask for information about the travel requirements in the country.

You need only a valid U.S. passport to visit Croatia. You don't need a valid visa if you are a U.S. passport holder and you are traveling on tourist or business trips of fewer than 90 days within a six-month period. The croatian law requires that all the foreign citizens must visit the local police department and register themselves 24 hours after arrival and if they want to change their current address. There are serious fines for not applying to this requirement.

If you wish to reside in Croatia for more than 90 days, you must obtain a temporary residence permit issued by the Croatian Embassy or Consulate in the United States. In support of a residency application, applicants will need to provide a copy of their birth and, if applicable, marriage and divorce certificates, obtained no more than 90 days before application, as well as an FBI Identification Record Request authenticated for use abroad. All documents should be translated into Croatian and have an "apostille" stamp certifying their authenticity. These permits may be extended in Croatia. The requests for extension must be applied before the local police office no later than 30 days in advance of the last day of authorized stay. Don’t forget to check for any specific customs regulations in Croatia.