Schengen Area (via Croatia) tourist visa for Nepali citizens
Short-stay Schengen visa via VFS Global in Kathmandu — note Croatia's own stated processing time (up to 60 calendar days) runs considerably longer than most other Schengen countries.
Croatia is a Schengen member. Nepali applicants submit through the VFS Global visa application centre in Kathmandu, which forwards the file to the relevant Croatian mission for a decision. Croatia's own guidance quotes a standard processing time of up to 60 calendar days from receipt — noticeably longer than the ~15-day standard most other Schengen countries quote — so this one needs extra lead time.
Fee: EUR 90 (standard adult Schengen fee), plus VFS Global's own logistics fee (around NPR 4,094), two-way courier (around NPR 5,340) and an optional bank-processing charge (around NPR 1,250).
Processing: Up to 60 calendar days from the day the application is received at the Embassy, per Croatia's own stated standard processing time — apply well ahead of travel, and note that applications with less than 15 days to your travel date are not accepted by VFS.
Stay: Up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area.
Steps
Confirm Croatia is your main destination — This determines whether you apply through Croatia's consular process — it isn't a free choice if you're visiting several Schengen countries.
Check the current application channel for Nepal — Croatia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mvep.gov.hr) lists current Schengen visa procedures — confirm which visa centre handles Nepal-based applications.
Book an appointment and submit biometrics — Submit the Schengen application form, photos, and fingerprints (reused if given within the past 5 years for a prior Schengen visa).
Pay the fee and wait for a decision — Standard processing is up to 15 calendar days, though it can extend to 30-45 days in individual cases.
Documents
Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area, with at least 2 blank pages
Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
One recent ICAO-compliant passport photo (white background, taken within 6 months)
Copy of your Nepali citizenship certificate/ID and all used passport pages
Confirmed round-trip flight reservation and a day-by-day travel itinerary
Accommodation proof for every night of the trip (hotel booking, rental confirmation, or a signed invitation letter from your host)
Travel/medical insurance valid across the whole Schengen area, covering at least EUR 30,000, including emergency medical treatment and repatriation
Original bank statement covering the last 3-6 months (requirement varies by country — 6 months is the safer default), stamped and signed by the bank on every page
If employed: employer letter confirming your position, salary and approved leave, plus your last 3 months' salary slips
If self-employed: PAN/business registration and 6 months' business bank statements
If retired: pension statements or other proof of income covering the last 3 months
Income tax return (ITR) for the last 1-2 years, requested by some Schengen countries (e.g. Austria asks for 2 years)
Property ownership documents (lalpurja) and property tax clearance, as supporting evidence of ties to Nepal — not mandatory everywhere, but explicitly requested by some missions (e.g. the Czech checklist for Nepal names this directly)
Certified English translation for any submitted document that isn't already in English, French, German or Spanish
Can I choose which Schengen country to apply through?
No — you must apply through your main destination country's consulate. Applying through a different country than your actual main destination can lead to refusal.