Travel tool · Verified against embassy & state-department sources
Venezuela Visa & Travel Requirements Checker
Pick your passport country to see whether you need a visa, the maximum
stay, the current US/UK travel-advisory level, and what investors should
know before booking a trip to Caracas.
United States citizens travelling to Venezuela
Visa required
Visa type
Tourist (TR-V) or Business (TR-N) visa required in advance — visas are NOT available on arrival
Validity
Tourist: up to 1 year multiple-entry; Business: up to 1 year
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per entry
Approval timeline
≈ 15 days (range 7–30 days)
Apply at least 4–6 weeks before departure. The Cancillería Digital e-visa typically clears in around 15 days, but Fragomen and the US Embassy report real-world ranges of 7–30 days depending on portal queue and document re-submission. Do not book non-refundable flights before the visa is in hand.
The Embassy of Venezuela in Washington DC has been closed since 2019. Do not look for a US-based consulate — applications run through Venezuela's online e-visa portal.
Estimated approval timeline
≈ 15 days (range 7–30 days) — Apply at least 4–6 weeks before departure. The Cancillería Digital e-visa typically clears in around 15 days, but Fragomen and the US Embassy report real-world ranges of 7–30 days depending on portal queue and document re-submission. Do not book non-refundable flights before the visa is in hand.
Read the US Embassy plain-English summary
The US Embassy in Caracas maintains an English-language summary of the current Venezuelan e-visa process. Read it once before opening the Spanish-only application portal so you know what you're filling in.
Create an account on Venezuela's official Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MPPRE) e-visa portal. The interface is in Spanish — use a translator if needed. Click "regístrate" on the login screen.
Fill in personal, passport, travel, and financial information. You will be asked which visa type you want (Tourist TR-V or Business TR-N) and your intended dates of travel.
Upload supporting documents
You will need a digital scan of: (1) a valid passport with at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages, (2) a passport-sized photo, (3) hotel reservation or invitation letter, (4) round-trip flight itinerary, and (5) proof of funds. Business visas additionally require a corporate invitation letter from a Venezuelan entity.
Pay the visa fee through the portal
The fee is paid digitally inside the portal. Amount and accepted payment methods are confirmed at submission — confirm with your card issuer that international payments to Venezuela will not be auto-blocked.
Wait for approval and download your e-visa
Approval is delivered through the portal. Print the approved visa and bring the printout with you — present it together with your passport at SVMI airport on arrival. Allow several weeks; do not book non-refundable flights before the visa is in hand.
Travel advisory level 3 — Reconsider Travel — current US State Department designation (updated 2026-04-24). See the full advisory for region-specific Level 4 designations and detailed risk indicators.
For investors: The US Embassy in Caracas formally reopened on March 30, 2026 after a seven-year closure, with Chargé d'Affaires Laura F. Dogu leading the mission. The consular section is still under restoration, so routine passport and visa services continue to be handled by the Venezuela Affairs Unit at US Embassy Bogotá. Plan in-country meetings via local counsel and avoid the four Level-4 border states.
United Kingdom citizens travelling to Venezuela
Visa-free
Visa type
Visa-free for stays of up to 90 days
Validity
Tourist entry stamp issued at port of entry
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
Approval timeline
None — entry stamp at port of entry
No advance approval required. Tourist entry stamp issued at SVMI airport on arrival, valid for up to 90 days. Carry passport (6+ months validity), return ticket, and proof of accommodation — immigration officers may request any of these.
Travel advisory level 3 — FCDO advises against all but essential travel, citing kidnapping risk, political unrest, deteriorating economy, and limited consular assistance.
For investors: British citizens enter visa-free for up to 90 days. The British Embassy in Caracas operates with limited staff. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation is essential — many policies exclude Venezuela.
Canada citizens travelling to Venezuela
Visa-free
Visa type
Visa-free for stays of up to 90 days
Validity
Tourist entry stamp issued at port of entry
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
Approval timeline
None — entry stamp at port of entry
No advance approval required. Tourist entry stamp issued at SVMI airport on arrival, valid for up to 90 days. Carry passport (6+ months validity), return ticket, and proof of accommodation. Note: Canada has no embassy in Caracas — consular services are routed through Bogotá, so plan for limited in-country support.
Travel advisory level 4 — Avoid all travel due to high crime rates, civil unrest, hostage-taking risk, severe shortages of medicines and food, and the absence of consular services.
For investors: Canadian citizens enter visa-free. Canada has no embassy in Caracas; consular services are provided from Bogotá. Banking access is constrained by sanctions and OFAC compliance practices of correspondent banks.
Brazil citizens travelling to Venezuela
Visa-free
Visa type
Visa-free for stays of up to 60 days
Validity
Tourist entry stamp at port of entry
Maximum stay
Up to 60 days
Approval timeline
None — entry stamp at port of entry
No advance approval required. Tourist entry stamp issued at port of entry, valid for up to 60 days. Carry passport (6+ months validity) and proof of onward travel. Land border crossings (Pacaraima/Santa Elena de Uairén) are open but volatile — flying into SVMI is the safer route.
For investors: Brazilian citizens benefit from visa-free entry and the strongest South American consular presence in Caracas. Land border crossings (Pacaraima/Santa Elena de Uairén) are open but volatile.
Colombia citizens travelling to Venezuela
Visa-free
Visa type
Visa-free for stays of up to 90 days
Validity
Tourist entry stamp at port of entry
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
Approval timeline
None — entry stamp at port of entry
No advance approval required. Tourist entry stamp issued at port of entry, valid for up to 90 days. Cédula (Colombian national ID) is accepted at the land border in addition to passport.
For investors: With re-opened diplomatic ties, Colombian-Venezuelan border trade is recovering. Cross-border investment via Cúcuta is increasingly viable for goods and services.
European Union (Schengen) citizens travelling to Venezuela
Visa-free
Visa type
Visa-free for stays of up to 90 days for most EU passports
Validity
Tourist entry stamp at port of entry
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
Approval timeline
None — entry stamp at port of entry
No advance approval required for most EU passports. Tourist entry stamp issued at SVMI airport on arrival, valid for up to 90 days. A handful of newer EU member states still require a visa — confirm with your foreign ministry before booking. Carry passport (6+ months validity), return ticket, and proof of accommodation.
For investors: Most EU citizens enter visa-free. The EU and Spain maintain active diplomatic missions, providing the most consistent European consular footprint. Spanish and Italian investors benefit from cultural and language ties to Caracas business networks.
China citizens travelling to Venezuela
Visa required
Visa type
Visa required (Tourist L, Business F, or Investor classifications)
Validity
30-90 days, multiple-entry options available
Maximum stay
Per visa terms
Approval timeline
≈ 15 days e-visa; up to 6 weeks in-person
The new Cancillería Digital e-visa typically clears in around 15 days. Legacy in-person filings at the Embassy of Venezuela in Beijing (or consulates in Shanghai/Hong Kong) historically took up to six weeks. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before departure, and confirm the channel currently accepted by the consulate accredited to your province.
≈ 15 days e-visa; up to 6 weeks in-person — The new Cancillería Digital e-visa typically clears in around 15 days. Legacy in-person filings at the Embassy of Venezuela in Beijing (or consulates in Shanghai/Hong Kong) historically took up to six weeks. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before departure, and confirm the channel currently accepted by the consulate accredited to your province.
Open the Embassy of Venezuela in China website
The Beijing mission, with consulates in Shanghai and Hong Kong, is the canonical entry point for Chinese applicants. Use it to confirm the consulate accredited to your province.
Tourist (L), Business (F), or Investor classifications are available. Investor and long-stay business visas typically require a corporate invitation letter from a Venezuelan entity registered with SENIAT.
Submit application & supporting documents at the consulate
Standard documents: valid passport (6+ months), passport photo, completed application form, hotel or invitation letter, round-trip itinerary, and proof of funds. Confirm fees and processing time with the specific consulate before filing.
For investors: Despite visa requirements, Chinese investors operate one of the largest foreign investment portfolios in Venezuela, particularly in oil & gas, mining, and infrastructure. Bilateral trade arrangements smooth FX repatriation friction for Chinese SOEs.
Russia citizens travelling to Venezuela
Visa-free
Visa type
Visa-free for stays of up to 90 days
Validity
Tourist entry stamp at port of entry
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
Approval timeline
None — entry stamp at port of entry
No advance approval required. Tourist entry stamp issued at SVMI airport on arrival, valid for up to 90 days. Carry passport (6+ months validity) and return ticket.
For investors: Russian citizens enter visa-free. Strategic energy and military cooperation creates pathways for Russian investors not available to Western counterparts, but secondary-sanctions risk for any non-Russian co-investor is acute.
United Arab Emirates citizens travelling to Venezuela
Visa-free
Visa type
Visa-free for stays of up to 90 days
Validity
Tourist entry stamp at port of entry
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
Approval timeline
None — entry stamp at port of entry
No advance approval required. Tourist entry stamp issued at SVMI airport on arrival, valid for up to 90 days. Carry passport (6+ months validity), return ticket, and proof of accommodation.
For investors: UAE citizens enter visa-free. Dubai has emerged as a meaningful intermediation hub for Venezuelan-related trade and asset structuring, particularly post-2022.
Other (please confirm with embassy) citizens travelling to Venezuela
Visa required
Visa type
Varies by nationality
Validity
Confirm with the nearest Venezuelan embassy
Maximum stay
Varies
Approval timeline
Varies — typically 2–6 weeks
Online e-visa filings via Cancillería Digital typically clear in 2–4 weeks for most nationalities; in-person filings at certain consulates can take up to 6 weeks. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before departure and confirm the current channel and timeline with the Venezuelan diplomatic mission accredited to your country.
Varies — typically 2–6 weeks — Online e-visa filings via Cancillería Digital typically clear in 2–4 weeks for most nationalities; in-person filings at certain consulates can take up to 6 weeks. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before departure and confirm the current channel and timeline with the Venezuelan diplomatic mission accredited to your country.
Identify the Venezuelan mission accredited to your country
The MPPRE consular directory lists current Venezuelan embassies and consulates. Many nationalities can file fully online; others must complete biometrics at a specific mission.
Standard requirements: valid passport (6+ months, 2 blank pages), digital photo, hotel or invitation letter, round-trip itinerary, and proof of funds. Fee is paid digitally inside the portal.
For investors: Always confirm visa status, validity, and the current published advisory level with both the Venezuelan diplomatic mission in your country and your home country's foreign affairs ministry before booking travel.