Venezuela Unveils New Visa Requirements for US
7 March 2015
Venezuela says its new visa requirements for U.S. residents mirror those imposed on Venezuelans hoping to visit the United States.
Venezuela's embassy in the United States published Thursday a detailed list of new visa requirements for U.S. residents.
Earlier this week the Venezuelan government removed the United States from its list of countries that benefit from a visa waiver scheme. Previously, U.S. citizens could obtain a short term tourism visa immediately on arrival in Venezuela. However, President Nicolas Maduro has warned his country's relaxed measures for short term visitors may have made it easier for individuals suspected of plotting against the government to enter Venezuela. On Tuesday, Maduro released new evidence he said indicates a recent coup plot was largely planned on U.S. soil, and involved both Venezuelans and U.S. officials.
“This plot has a tag which reads 'made in the U-S-A,'” said Maduro, adding that a member of the United States embassy in Venezuela also met with opposition leaders, giving them documents to help in the preparation stage.
According to the Venezuelan government, the new visa requirements for U.S. residents mirror those imposed on Venezuelans hoping to travel to the United States.
The new requirements include evidence of property in the United States (such as a home or vehicle), a return airline ticket and proof of means. The latter could include a bank statement, or a letter from an individual or business offering to cover travel costs for the applicant.
Comparatively, the U.S. embassy in Caracas advises Venezuelans looking to travel to the United States to augment their visa applications with documents including “several months” of bank statements, property title deeds, proof of salary including pay stubs, tax documents and others.
Venezuelans have long complained of long wait times for U.S. visas – stretching into years even for Venezuelans with U.S. spouses hoping to visit for short periods.
The full list of visa requirements for U.S. citizens hoping to travel to Venezuela is included below, as it appears on the embassy's website. More details can be found at the website itself.
A completed visa request form.
Original passport with a minimum of six (6) months of validity remaining as of the expected travel date and at least two blank pages.
Copies of the passport pages that show personal information, the expiration date and the photograph.
One (1) recent front-facing photograph with a white background, size 2x2 inches (without glasses or hats).
Proof of employment issued by the applicant’s place of work, on official letterhead and indicating a contact person and address for verification.
If the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, a copy of the green card or document that establishes residency in the country.
Leasing contract for a residence or document demonstrating house ownership in the name of the applicant, or a document demonstrating ownership of a different type of property, including high value personal property (e.g. a vehicle or fine art), or commercial, business or industrial properties.
Original latest bank statement or a letter issued by the bank which shows the current balance or a notarized letter of invitation of the person or institution in the U.S. or Venezuela who will cover the costs of the applicant’s stay.
One (1) copy of the flight itinerary (which indicates the date of entry to and exit from Venezuela, the name of the airline and the flight number).
A money order for $30 in the name of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
The applicant must present the aforementioned documents in person at the Consular Section or Consulate.
A pre-paid United States Postal Service Priority Mail envelope with a unique tracking number for the applicant’s documents to be returned.
Any other document the Consular Section deems pertinent.
Venezuela says its new visa requirements for U.S. residents mirror those imposed on Venezuelans hoping to visit the United States.
Venezuela's embassy in the United States published Thursday a detailed list of new visa requirements for U.S. residents.
Earlier this week the Venezuelan government removed the United States from its list of countries that benefit from a visa waiver scheme. Previously, U.S. citizens could obtain a short term tourism visa immediately on arrival in Venezuela. However, President Nicolas Maduro has warned his country's relaxed measures for short term visitors may have made it easier for individuals suspected of plotting against the government to enter Venezuela. On Tuesday, Maduro released new evidence he said indicates a recent coup plot was largely planned on U.S. soil, and involved both Venezuelans and U.S. officials.
“This plot has a tag which reads 'made in the U-S-A,'” said Maduro, adding that a member of the United States embassy in Venezuela also met with opposition leaders, giving them documents to help in the preparation stage.
According to the Venezuelan government, the new visa requirements for U.S. residents mirror those imposed on Venezuelans hoping to travel to the United States.
The new requirements include evidence of property in the United States (such as a home or vehicle), a return airline ticket and proof of means. The latter could include a bank statement, or a letter from an individual or business offering to cover travel costs for the applicant.
Comparatively, the U.S. embassy in Caracas advises Venezuelans looking to travel to the United States to augment their visa applications with documents including “several months” of bank statements, property title deeds, proof of salary including pay stubs, tax documents and others.
Venezuelans have long complained of long wait times for U.S. visas – stretching into years even for Venezuelans with U.S. spouses hoping to visit for short periods.
The full list of visa requirements for U.S. citizens hoping to travel to Venezuela is included below, as it appears on the embassy's website. More details can be found at the website itself.
A completed visa request form.
Original passport with a minimum of six (6) months of validity remaining as of the expected travel date and at least two blank pages.
Copies of the passport pages that show personal information, the expiration date and the photograph.
One (1) recent front-facing photograph with a white background, size 2x2 inches (without glasses or hats).
Proof of employment issued by the applicant’s place of work, on official letterhead and indicating a contact person and address for verification.
If the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, a copy of the green card or document that establishes residency in the country.
Leasing contract for a residence or document demonstrating house ownership in the name of the applicant, or a document demonstrating ownership of a different type of property, including high value personal property (e.g. a vehicle or fine art), or commercial, business or industrial properties.
Original latest bank statement or a letter issued by the bank which shows the current balance or a notarized letter of invitation of the person or institution in the U.S. or Venezuela who will cover the costs of the applicant’s stay.
One (1) copy of the flight itinerary (which indicates the date of entry to and exit from Venezuela, the name of the airline and the flight number).
A money order for $30 in the name of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
The applicant must present the aforementioned documents in person at the Consular Section or Consulate.
A pre-paid United States Postal Service Priority Mail envelope with a unique tracking number for the applicant’s documents to be returned.
Any other document the Consular Section deems pertinent.
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