You must have:
a valid U.S. passport in good condition, with at least six months of validity remaining from the date of arrival in Venezuela, and
a valid Venezuelan visa. Visas are not available upon arrival.
Visas: Please check the website of the Embassy of Venezuela in the United States for the most current information about visa application requirements and procedures.
Immigration officials often require proof of accommodation while in Venezuela, adequate means to support yourself, and an onward departure itinerary. Only use official crossing points when entering Venezuela. You must obtain an entry stamp to prove you entered the country legally.
Journalists: Journalists must have the appropriate accreditation and working visa from the Venezuelan authorities before arriving in the country. There have been recent cases of international journalists being expelled and/or detained for not having proper permission to work in Venezuela. The process for acquiring the Venezuelan documents is lengthy, so journalists are advised to apply well in advance of their travel date.
Airport Security: You should arrive and depart during daylight hours due to the frequency of robberies at gunpoint along the roads leading to and from the airport. The Embassy strongly advises that all arriving passengers make advance plans for transportation from the airport to their place of lodging using a trusted party or dispatch taxi service. More information on taxis can be found in the SAFETY and LOCAL LAWS sections.
Margarita Island: The Government of Venezuela uses biometric equipment to register photos and fingerprints of all travelers to Margarita Island. Please take your U.S. passport with you to travel to the Island.
Traveling with children: Venezuela's child protection law mandates that minors (under 18) of any nationality who are traveling alone, with only one parent, or with a third party, must present a copy of their birth certificate and written, notarized authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent, or with a third party. If documents are prepared in the United States, the authorization and the birth certificate must be translated into Spanish, notarized, and authenticated by the Embassy of Venezuela or a Venezuelan Consulate in the United States. Additional information on the prevention of international child abduction can be found on the travel.state.gov website.
Dual Nationality: Venezuelan law requires Venezuelan citizens to enter and depart Venezuela using Venezuelan passports. Therefore, if you hold dual U.S.-Venezuelan nationality, you must plan to travel between Venezuela and the United States with valid U.S. and Venezuelan passports. Please see our website for more information on entry and exit requirements pertaining to dual nationals.
Resident Visas: If you reside in Venezuela, you must plan to renew your residency visa well in advance of expiration. U. S citizens residing in Venezuela have experienced difficulties and delays renewing their residency visas. Venezuelan authorities ask foreigners for proof of their identification and legal status in the country.
If you live in Venezuela, be sure to obtain legitimate Venezuelan residency documentation. Do not employ intermediaries to purchase Venezuelan resident visas and/or work permits. You must sign the resident visa in person at the Servicio Administrativo de Identificación, Migración y Extranjería (SAIME) at SAIME headquarters in Caracas.
Immunizations: Yellow Fever: Travelers entering Venezuela from certain countries are required to have a current yellow fever vaccination certificate. Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (or yellow card) with you, as they may ask you to present it upon arrival or departure.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Venezuela.
Customs: For the most current information concerning visa, tax, and customs requirements for Venezuela, travelers may contact the Embassy of Venezuela at: 1099 30th Street, NW, Washington DC 20007 (tel: +1(202) 342-2214).
Travelers may also contact a Venezuelan Consulate in the U.S. Although only in Spanish, the website for the Maiquetía International Airport, the main airport in Caracas, has helpful information for travelers.
Stay up to date:
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up-to-date with important safety and security announcements.
Bookmark our Bureau of Consular Affairs website which contains current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Worldwide Caution.
Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook.
In the event of an emergency, contact us at +1(888) 407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, +1 (202) 501-4444, from other countries.
Information from travel.state.gov on Jan 22, 2018