Venezuela Visa Information

Passport/Visa

	Passport Required?	Visa Required?	Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes	No/2	Yes
Australian	Yes	No/2	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No/2	Yes
USA	Yes	No/2	Yes
Other EU	Yes	No/1/2	Yes

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months (if entering with a visa) or for the duration of stay (if entering with a Tourist Entry Card) required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Not required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above except:
1. nationals of Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia and Malta who do need a visa.

2. All other nationals listed in the chart above require a Tourist Entry Card (DEX-2), which is issued free of charge by an authorized air carrier on presentation of valid air tickets (including return or onward ticket) for stays of maximum 90 days (non-extendable), except the following:

Note: Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).

Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist Entry Card: Free of charge (single-entry). Tourist: £21.90 (multiple-entry). Business: £43.80 (multiple-entry). Student: £43.80 (multiple entry). Transit: £21.90 (single-entry).

Validity
Tourist/Tourist Entry Cards: 90 days (tourist visas are valid for up to one year but only permit entry for 90 days in any one period). Business: 180 days. Transit: up to 72 hours.

Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see General Info. Tourist Entry Cards are available at the airport check-in desk prior to departure.

Working Days Required
Three.

Warning
The incidence of street crime in Venezuela is high. There have been muggings and kidnappings by bogus taxi operators at Caracas International Airport (Maiquetia). The road from the airport to Caracas is dangerous. Where possible, journeys on this route should be made in daylight hours. There are significant delays on this route and travelers should allow extra time for the journey to and from the airport.

“Express kidnappings” are on the increase. Travelers should exercise caution when arriving in, and traveling around, Venezuela and be aware of the general risks of crime for visitors.

Penalties for handling illicit drugs are amongst the most severe in the Americas.

Political demonstrations may occur at any time in the major cities, possibly leading to localized violence. Travelers should avoid large public gatherings.

Travelers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Cases of Dengue Fever are increasingly common throughout Venezuela and there is presently a confirmed outbreak in Amazonas State in the south of the country. There have been fatalities associated with this outbreak. Dengue is spread by mosquitoes. Travelers are advised to take appropriate precautions.

It is advised against all travel to within 50km (31 miles) of the Colombia border in the states of Zulia, Tachira and Apure. Terrorist and illegal armed groups are active in these states and there is a risk of kidnapping.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health

	Special Precautions	Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever	Yes	1
Cholera	2	No
Typhoid and Polio	3	N/A
Malaria	4	N/A

Health Care
The best-equipped hospitals are in the state capitals. Emergency treatment is free and most hospitals have intensive care units. However, private hospitals are of a much higher standard, and although health insurance is not mandatory, it is recommended.

Note
1
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over nine months old, except in the northern coastal area. The cities of Caracas and Valencia are not in the endemic zone. The last outbreaks of yellow fever were in September 2004, when one person died in the municipality of Sucre, Merida State. Sporadic cases are, however, under control due to a countrywide vaccination and surveillance program.

2
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.

3
Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

4
Malaria risk in the benign vivax form exists throughout the year in some rural areas of Apure, Amazonas, Barinas, Bolívar, Sucre and Táchira states. The malignant falciparum form is restricted to certain jungle areas of Amazonas (Atabapo), Bolívar (Cedeño, Gran Sabana, Raul Leoni, Sifontes and Sucre) and Delta Amacuro (Antonia Diaz, Casacoima and Pedernales) states and is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine in the interior of Amazonas state. The recommended prophylaxis is chloroquine in vivax risk areas and mefloquine in falciparum risk areas.



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