Travel Options: Venezuelans Visiting The Uk

Venezuelan citizens need a visa to enter the UK. This includes Venezuelans with dual citizenship, who must enter and exit the country using their Venezuelan identity documents. The UK Standard Visitor Visa allows Venezuelans to visit the UK for tourism, business, to visit family or friends, or for medical treatment. The visa is typically valid for 180 days and permits multiple entries. The application process is lengthy and requires a fee, as well as proof of financial means and other documentation.

Visa requirements for Venezuelans travelling to the UK

As of 5 May 2014, Venezuelan nationals need to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK. This applies to all Venezuelan nationals, regardless of the length of their visit.

How to apply for a visa

Venezuelan nationals can apply for a visa online at www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk. After applying, they can book an appointment online to submit supporting documents and biometric data in person at the Visa Application Centre in Caracas. The cost of a six-month multiple-entry visit visa is VEF 863, payable in Venezuelan bolivars. Those who travel frequently can apply for a multiple-entry visa with 2, 5, or 10-year validity for a higher fee.

The global standard for processing visitor visas is approximately 15 working days from the time of the applicant's appointment.

Visa application process

To apply for a UK Standard Visitor Visa, Venezuelan citizens need to follow these steps:

• Apply via the iVisa website or app: Review your form for accuracy, then pay the visa fees. Ensure that you provide the accurate date of your departure from the UK, as errors here can cause delays or submission issues.
• Complete the UK visa application form and upload the required documents: iVisa Experts will assess your application and arrange a visa appointment.
• Attend the visa appointment at the UK Embassy or Visa Application Centre (VAC): At this appointment, you will need to submit your biometric data and attend an interview. You will need to leave your passport at this appointment so that the immigration authorities can issue your visa.

The application process consists of 60 questions and requires 2 hard documents (such as a bank statement and passport page). The government fee for the UK Visitor Visa is USD $146, and the average processing time is around 60 days.

Common Mistakes During the Application Process:

• Inadequate financial substantiation: Inability to furnish convincing proof of ample funds for the visit.
• Questionable intentions: Failure to persuasively exhibit the authentic motive behind the visit.
• Past visa breaches: A history of flouting visa regulations or exceeding authorized stay durations.
• Criminal history: Applicants with a criminal record may encounter visa refusal, particularly for more serious crimes or security concerns.

Travel advice for Venezuelans

Entry requirements

Venezuelan citizens need a visa to enter the UK. This can be obtained by applying online and then attending a biometrics appointment at the Visa Application Centre in Caracas. The visa costs USD $146 and the average processing time is 60 days. The visa is valid for 180 days and allows multiple entries.

Passport validity

Your passport must have an expiry date of at least six months after the date you plan to leave the UK.

Travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Zulia State and within 80km of the Venezuela-Colombia border and 40km of the Venezuela-Brazil border. The FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to the remaining areas of Venezuela due to ongoing crime and instability.

Insurance

Your travel insurance may be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO.

Vaccination requirements

As of 5 May 2014, all Venezuelan nationals need to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK. This means that all Venezuelans travelling to the UK need to apply for a visa, regardless of the length of their visit. The cost of a six-month multiple-entry visit visa is VEF 863, payable in Venezuelan currency (bolivars).

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Venezuela. However, to enter Venezuela from Brazil, travellers must have a certificate to prove they have had a yellow fever vaccination.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, travellers can refer to TravelHealthPro’s Venezuela guide.

Travel advice for UK citizens in Venezuela

This travel advice is for UK citizens travelling to Venezuela on a full 'British citizen' passport. Venezuela currently has no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering the country. However, there are other essential entry requirements that you should be aware of.

Firstly, to enter Venezuela, your passport must have an 'expiry date' that is at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave. Check that your passport and other travel documents meet these requirements. If not, renew your passport before travelling.

If you are arriving in Venezuela by air, you can stay for up to 90 days visa-free on a 'tourist card', issued upon arrival. You must show your return or onward travel ticket. If you are arriving overland or by sea, you may need to get a visa in advance by contacting the nearest Venezuelan embassy or consulate.

If you are not visiting Venezuela for tourism, you must obtain a visa before travelling, which must be related to the purpose and duration of your stay. This includes visits for work, NGOs, documentary or filmmaking, study, or internships.

There are strict rules about the goods you can take into or out of Venezuela. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. This includes goods and personal luggage worth more than 1000 US dollars, which may be subject to import tax if they appear new. You must also declare cash or travellers' cheques worth 10,000 US dollars or more when entering Venezuela, and pay tax on the excess.

In terms of safety and security, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to certain parts of Venezuela, including within 80km of the Venezuela-Colombia border and within 40km of the Venezuela-Brazil border. Drug traffickers and illegal armed groups are active in these border areas, and there is a risk of criminal kidnapping. The FCDO also advises against all travel to Zulia State, which has prolonged power cuts, water shortages, violence, and local conflict. For the remaining areas of Venezuela, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel due to ongoing crime and instability.

Venezuela recently held national presidential elections on 28 July 2024, and the situation in the country is currently tense. There is an increased risk of electoral demonstrations and protests, which you should avoid as they may become violent.

Frequently asked questions