Country
Passport Required?
Visa Required?
Return Ticket Required?
Passport valid for at least 6 months (if entering with a visa) or for the duration of stay (if entering with a Tourist Entry Card) required by all.
Required by all except the following, who do, however, require a Tourist Entry Card (TEC) issued by an authorised air carrier on presentation of valid air tickets (including return or onward ticket) for stays of maximum 90 days:
(a) 1. nationals of EU countries (except nationals of Greece who do require visas);
(b) 2. nationals of Australia, Canada, USA and Japan;
(c) nationals of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, San Marino, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay.
(a) Special authorisation is required from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to grant entry to certain nationalities; enquire at the Embassy for details. (b) Holders of Business visas must declare any profit incurred during their stay to the Ministry of Finance. It is an offence for holders of Tourist visas and TECs to do business in Venezuela.
Tourist Entry Card: Free of charge. Tourist: $22 (multiple-entry). Business: $42 (multiple-entry). Transit: $22.
Tourist: 90 days. Business: 180 days. Transit: up to 72 hours.
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy). Tourist Entry Cards are available at the airport check-in desk prior to departure.
Tourist visa: (a) Completed and signed application form. (b) 2 passport-size photos. (c) Valid passport. (d) Fee. (e) Airline ticket for return or onward journey. (f) Self-addressed, stamped envelope for postal applications. (g) Character reference from employer and last bank statement. Business visa: (a)-(f) and, (g) Employer’s reference and letter confirming purpose of visit.
2.
Special authorisation is required from the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Caracas.
Avenida v. Lecuna, Parque Central, Torre Oeste, Piso 37, Caracas, Venezuela
Tel: (212) 574 1968. Fax: (212) 574 2220.
E-mail: [email protected]
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required as a condition of entry but vaccination is advised for all travellers over one year of age who intend to travel outside urban areas.
Cases of autochthonous cholera were reported in 1996. Visitors are advised to take necessary precautions. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for more information.
Malaria risk in the benign vivax form exists throughout the year in rural areas of Apure, Amazonas, Barinas, Bolívar, Sucre and Táchira states. The malignant falciparum form is restricted to certain jungle areas of Amazonas, Bolívar and Delta Amacuro states and is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine.
Mains water is normally chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present in north-central Venezuela. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools that are well-chlorinated and maintained are safe. Paragonimiasis (oriental lung fluke) and dengue fever have been reported. Hepatitis A also occurs; hepatitis B and D (delta hepatitis) are highly endemic. Cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis occur in rural areas. Visceral leishmaniasis is rarer. In the southeast, some deaths have been caused by mercury in the river water. Dengue fever and viral encephalitis both occur in epidemics at times.
Rabies has been reported. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Venezuela provides free treatment to visitors from its wide network of public hospitals. Some services will carry a small charge. The best-equipped hospitals are in the state capitals. Emergency treatment is free and well catered for; most hospitals have intensive care units. Some private hospitals have an agreement with foreign embassies to provide medical care. Health insurance is not mandatory but it is recommended.
Jan 1 New Year’s Day. Feb 11-12 Carnival. Mar 29-Apr 1 Easter. Apr 19 Declaration of Independence. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 24 Battle of Carabobo. Jul 5 Independence Day. Jul 24 Birth of Simón Bolívar. Sep 4 Civil Servants’ Day. Oct 12 Columbus Day. Dec 24-25 Christmas. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve. Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Mar 3-4 Carnival. Apr 18-21 Easter. Apr 19 Declaration of Independence. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 24 Battle of Carabobo. Jul 5 Independence Day. Jul 24 Birth of Simón Bolívar. Sep 4 Civil Servants’ Day. Oct 12 Columbus Day. Dec 24-25 Christmas. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve.
There are some additional regional holidays; enquire at the Embassy or the Corporación de Turismo de Venezuela (see address section).
VENEZUELA
Passport and Visa Application
Health
Holidays
Passports
Visas
Note
Types of visa and cost
Validity
Application to
Application requirements
Working days required
Temporary residence
Addresses
1
2
3
4
Other risks
Health care
Public Holidays
Note
| British | yes | 1 | yes |
| Australian | yes | 2 | yes |
| Canadian | yes | 2 | yes |
| USA | yes | 2 | yes |
| Other EU | yes | 1 | yes |
| Japanese | yes | 2 | yes |
| Corporacion de Turismo de Venezuela |
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| Health Precaution | Special Precaution | Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | yes | 1 |
| Cholera | 2 | no |
| Typhoid and Polio | yes | n/a |
| Malaria | 3 | n/a |
| Food and Drink | 4 | n/a |