UK Spouse Visa checklist for UK Sponsor and Croatian national applicant written by UK Immigration Lawyer Mr Saleh Begh

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1. Your nationality and residence : British (United Kingdom)

2. Your partner nationality and residence : Croatian (Croatia) Hrvatska

The information and document checklist below is for you, if you are a British citizen (or holding UK permanent residence) and your partner is a Croatian national.
Croatia Hrvatska  Zagreb , Split , Rijeka , Osijek , Zadar , Slavonski Brod , Pula , Sesvete , Karlovac , Varazdin
You currently reside in United Kingdom whereas your partner resides in Croatia Hrvatska.

Full UK Spouse Visa Guide - Croatia Hrvatska .

UK Spouse Visa Croatia Hrvatska Checklist Contents

UK Spouse Visa Key Considerations for Family Visa from Croatia Hrvatska
UK Partner Visa from Zegreb, Croatia Hrvatska
Checklist for UK Family Visa (British and Croatian)
UK Home Office Approved English Tests Centres in Croatia Hrvatska

UK Spouse Visa Key requirements

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The Immigration Rules state that :
  • you both must be over the age of 18;
  • you must have met each other in person and be legally married, unless you are applying as an unmarried partner [alternatively] apply for a UK Marriage Visa or a UK Fiancée visa both have different requirements. | );
  • you both must intend to live together permanently in the UK (not Croatia) ;
  • you must have enough income to support yourselves and any dependants without claiming public funds (unless of course, you receive PIP / DLA / CA .. [Read more]);
  • the sponsor must hold and evidence British / ILR / EUSS / Refugee status documents.
  • they must have suitable accommodation for you and any dependent children;
  • and you must satisfy the English language requirements and have a medical certificate for TB (where required).

    UK family Visa

    Now let's look into the various aspects of the requirements listed above when you are British and your partner is Croatian and you reside in United Kingdom and your partner resides in Croatia. Since your partner is a Croatian national, they would need UK immigration status documents to live and work in the UK. If you are not yet British but have Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), Permanent Residency (EEA PR) or Refugee status, then your partner can join you on the Partner route and enter or remain in the UK legally.

    Your partner is an European ( Croatian ) national thus does not need a visa before arriving at the UK Border, however they need to secure their visa first. Please note that they will enter the UK as a visitor and will in most case be required to return home and re-enter the UK on the family visa route.

    UK Spouse Visa Documents Checklist - Zegreb - Croatia Hrvatska

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    UK Spouse Visa Checklist April 2026
    Zegreb - Croatia Hrvatska

    Key Forms / Documents
    Online application form ;
    Online application checklist ;
    VFS Global Appointment document and QR code ;
    Statutory Declaration by sponsor ;

    Identity
    Croatian Passport (All Pages);
    Copy of UK Sponsor Passport (Data page) ;
    Copy of Sponsor (ILR / Refugee status document (if not British) ;
    English test centres
    Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Zegreb - Croatia
    Approved English Test Centres in Croatia Hrvatska

    Tuberculosis Testing Centres
    TB medical test certificates are not required when you apply from Croatia.


    UK Visa Application Centres in Croatia
    VFS Global Office Croatia has application centres in Zagreb .

    UK Spouse Visa Application Checklist (Sample April 2026 - Mia and Luka)

    1. Visa applicant, Mia’s Croatian passport (CR4105267) Submitted at VFS Global office in Zegreb, Croatia;
    2. Copy of Mia’s online Application form (UAN 1212-0001-0526-1400);
    3. Copy of UK sponsor, Luka’s British Passport (Number: 145001400) or Luka’s Croatian passport plus his UK status documents (eVisa);
    4. Duly Completed Mia's online Application Checklist (GWF05267400);

    Financial (Sponsor, Luka who is British and Employed)
    5. Luka’s Statutory Declaration and Sponsorship undertaking form SU07 ;
    6. Letter from Luka’s employer dated in April 2026;
    7. Offer letter and Employment Contract document for Luka ;
    8. Luka’s Payslips (Monthly – Sept 2025* to April 2026);
    9. Luka’s Bank Statements (1 Sept 2025* to 1 April 2026).
    * Luka may need 12 months (From April 2025) instead of 6 where Luka's monthly gross pay varies and is less than the required monthly amount, currently £2,416.67 (£29,000 / 12) for each and every month during the previous 6 months prior to application date.

    Financial (Sponsor, Luka has Savings or receives exempted State Benefits)
    If Luka is not employed but has the required savings or Luka receives PIP, CA or Disability benefits he would provide (instead of items 6 to 8 above) evidence of benefit award and needs to meet the maintaince route requirements. In the case of savings, Luka would need to provide evidence of source of savings and minimum balance held during the previous 6 months. Mia’s savings can also be used. Her funds would need to be converted from Croatian Kunas to British pounds.

    Accommodation (Adequate for the British Croatian couple plus any children)
    10. Luka’s Tenancy Agreement or Ownership evidence (if owning) ;
    11. Landlord / Estate Agents consent letter or housing report (owning) for Luka's flat ;
    12. Luka’s Council tax statement and other UK residence evidence.

    English & TB Certificates (Only A1 English test is required for Croatian nationals.)
    13. Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Zegreb - Croatia
    Approved English Test Centres in Croatia Hrvatska
    14. TB medical test certificates are not required when you apply from Croatia.


    Relationship (Genuine subsisting and durable between Luka and Mia)
    15. Luka and Mia's original Marriage Certificate with translation (if married) and joint residence evidence (where unmarried but living together for 2 years plus) ;
    16. Copy of Croatia / UK visit stamps, entry & exit plus flights bookings for Luka and Mia;
    17. Telephone and Whatsapp chat log records between Luka and Mia;
    18. Screenshots of conversations by Whatsapp between Luka and Mia;
    19. Various Funds Remittance Receipts sent to Mia in Croatia by Luka ;
    20. Selection of Croatian wedding and other personal photographs of Luka and Mia.
    21. if Luka and Mia are not married but only engaged - evidence of Luka's venue booking and other commitments for marriage in the UK awaiting Mia's arrival ;
    22. if Luka previously married - Luka's Divorce certificate or Widower - Death certificate (issued in the UK or Croatia ). Same for Mia if applicable.

    Children and other ties (British or Croatian and where applicable)
    23. Child, Jakov's birth certificate, copy of Jakov's passport and other evidence of family ties and Mia and Luka's parental responsibility for the child.

    Non-English documents (from Croatia)
    24. English translation of Luka and Mia's Marriage / divorce certificate.

    Criminal record and immigration history (In Croatia and the UK - Applicant only)
    25. Documents relating to Mia's good character and immigration history and mitigation (if Mia's previous visa was refused or was an UK over-stayer).
    26. Mia's financial standing and settlement of NHS and other debts.

    Complicated situation or unsure about what to include?
    Wafi Solicitors can guide you through the process with ease and get the positive outcome you seek first time. | |

    Wafi Solicitors – All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced without prior written permission.

    No liability accepted for accuracy, completeness, or reliability of data provided.
    Luka, Mia, Jakov, Marta and other names used above do not relate to any actual persons. They are used for illustration purposes only.

    A1 level English test required

    Your partner is a Croatian national and thus not exempt from the English language requirements for a Spouse / Partner visa, they would need to take the A1 / A2 (extension) or provide other English language evidence.

    If you are already in the UK (on a different visa or for visa extension application) You can take a SELT with the providers mentioned above or with Trinity College London. Click here for UK Spouse Visa English test centres in the UK

    Did you know Zagreb, Croatia is 1,400 KM (870 miles) from London, England. Flight time to London is 2 Hours. Croatia has a population of 4,105,267 (2021) and they use Croatian kuna. One British pound is equal to 8.6985 Croatian Kunas.

    You may consider applying from neighbouring countries if that is more appropriate such as ( | Bosnian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Serbian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Montenegrin UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Hungarian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Slovenian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | ) . You would normally need to hold 6 months or more lawful residence there in order to apply for a UK spouse visa from that location.


    UK Spouse Visa British and Croatian  Zagreb , Split , Rijeka , Osijek , Zadar , Slavonski Brod , Pula , Sesvete , Karlovac , VarazdinUK Spouse Visa British and Croatian  Zagreb , Split , Rijeka , Osijek , Zadar , Slavonski Brod , Pula , Sesvete , Karlovac , Varazdin
    Please remember that all UK Family Visa applications are now done online and your UK Visa Application Centre for Croatia, VFS Global Office could be in a different city. You may need to plan ahead and travel for your tests and visa appointments. These are the large cities in Croatia Zagreb , Split , Rijeka , Osijek , Zadar , Slavonski Brod , Pula , Sesvete , Karlovac , Varazdin. Only a few cities will have a VFS Global Office UK Spouse Visa Application Centre (Croatia)

    UK Spouse Visa Fees April 2026

    UK spouse Visa Application fees is £1,938
    You will pay 17,363 Croatian Kunas or a little more for your application.
    View live fees UK Spouse Visa fees for Croatia now !

    Please get in touch ( UK 00442071935178 or email saleh@wafi.co.uk ) for more specific information, free 5 minute consultation is offered or leave a question or comment below and we will get in touch (dont forget to include your contact number ).

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    About the author

    Saleh Begh is a Solicitor (English Attorney) with 15 years experience in UK Immigration and Family law. He routinely deals with complicated Immigration and family law matters. Read more about Saleh Begh For guidance, options and tips contact us | |

    You may also consider our guide on how to apply from a neighbouring country ( | Bosnian UK Spouse Visa | Serbian UK Spouse Visa | Montenegrin UK Spouse Visa | Hungarian UK Spouse Visa | Slovenian UK Spouse Visa | ) . Please note that you would normally need to hold 6 months or more lawful residence there in order to apply for a UK spouse visa from that location.

    Did you know that the following cities in Croatia had large populations - Zagreb ( 684254 )