Venezuela visa options for United States passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Venezuela

Rules are written for non-Venezuelan foreign nationals; entry treatment splits sharply between the ~60+ visa-exempt nationalities (all EU/UK, most Latin American countries, Japan, etc.) and those who must obtain a visa (e.g. US and Canadian citizens).

• Most nomadsTourist

  Visa-free short stay (tourism)

  90 days, extendable once for a further 90 days (Bolivian and Colombian nationals cannot extend); verify per nationality

  Insurance

  Recommendednot an entry requirement, but the U.S. Embassy advises cover including medical evacuation given Venezuela's strained healthcare system

  Good for

  Nationals of the ~60+ visa-exempt countries, including all EU/EEA states, the UK, most of Latin America, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, travelling for tourism.

  Requirement

  Passport valid 6+ months, proof of sufficient funds and onward/return ticket; no advance visa for exempt nationalities

• Most nomadsTourist

  Tourist eVisa (TR-V)

  Stays of up to 90 days; eVisa reported as 1-year multiple-entry (sticker option ~90-day validity) - verify

  Insurance

  Recommendedno blanket insurance mandate for entry, but some SAIME/consular applications request health cover (reportedly ~USD 30,000) depending on nationality; verify and carry travel medical cover

  Good for

  Travellers from nationalities that are NOT visa-exempt, notably U.S. and Canadian citizens, visiting for tourism.

  Requirement

  Online application via cancilleriadigital.mppre.gob.ve with passport scan/photo, flight and hotel reservations, application form and proof of funds; fee reported ~USD 180

• Business

  Business visa (Transeúnte de Negocios, TR-N)

  Up to 90-day stays; eVisa typically 1-year multiple-entry - verify

  Insurance

  Recommendednot a stated entry requirement; carry travel medical cover, ideally with evacuation

  Good for

  Foreign nationals (where not visa-exempt) attending meetings, negotiations or short-term business activities - does not authorise local employment.

  Requirement

  Online application via Cancillería Digital portal; supporting business documentation; fee reported ~USD 180 (same as tourist eVisa)

• Work

  Work visa (Transeúnte Laboral, TR-L)

  Issued for 1 year, renewable; ~2 years of continuous status can lead to a Residente visa

  Insurance

  Recommendedreports indicate SAIME applications may require proof of health cover (reportedly ~USD 30,000) for some nationalities; verify with SAIME

  Good for

  Foreign nationals taking up employment under a contract with a Venezuelan employer (or a foreign entity authorised to operate in Venezuela).

  Requirement

  Mandatory sponsorship by a Venezuelan employer; processed through SAIME; processing reportedly ~3-6 weeks

• Study

  Student visa (Transeúnte Estudiante, TR-E)

  Tied to the duration of the study programme; renewable - verify

  Insurance

  Recommendednot explicitly listed on consular requirement pages; private health cover advised given local healthcare conditions

  Good for

  Non-migrant foreign nationals enrolling in higher education, technical/university studies, specialisation or internships in Venezuela.

  Requirement

  Enrolment certificate from the institution, application letter, proof of financial means, passport valid 6+ months; applied for at a Venezuelan consulate

• Residence

  Investor visa (Transeúnte Inversionista, TR-I)

  Reported as renewable every 1-3 years while the investment is maintained; route toward permanent residency after ~2 years

  Insurance

  Recommendedno stated mandate; SAIME applications may request health cover for some nationalities; verify

  Good for

  Foreign nationals making a significant investment in Venezuela (company purchase/formation, productive assets or real estate tied to economic activity).

  Requirement

  Proof of qualifying investment - figures conflict across sources (one cites a USD 100,000 minimum; an immigration-law firm states there is no fixed statutory minimum and sufficiency is discretionary), so verify with SAIME

• Residence

  Independent-means / retirement visa (Rentista)

  Renewable 1-year temporary residence; eligible for permanent residency after ~2 years of legal status

  Insurance

  Recommendedno confirmed legal mandate; private health insurance strongly advised for long-stay residents given healthcare limitations

  Good for

  Retirees and others with regular passive income from abroad (pensions, annuities, investments) wanting to reside long-term without working locally.

  Requirement

  Proof of regular foreign passive income not tied to work/business in Venezuela; one source cites approx. USD 1,200/month, another gives no fixed threshold - figures vary, verify

• Residence

  Permanent residence (Residente)

  Permanent, subject to renewal of the residence document; naturalisation possible after 10 years (5 for Spanish, Italian, Portuguese or Latin American nationals)

  Insurance

  Recommendedprivate health cover advised for permanent residents; no confirmed statutory insurance requirement

  Good for

  Foreign nationals who have maintained legal temporary residence (e.g. on a TR-L work, investor or rentista visa) and wish to settle permanently.

  Requirement

  Typically ~2 years of continuous legal temporary residence before applying; processed through SAIME

Venezuela's eVisa system (Cancillería Digital) launched April 2026 and is still being refined; fees, durations and document lists change frequently, so always confirm with a Venezuelan consulate or SAIME before travel. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

United States → Venezuela: frequently asked

Do United States passport holders need a visa to visit Venezuela?

Visa required. Arrange a visa at a consulate or embassy before travelling. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a United States passport holder live or work long-term in Venezuela?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Venezuela has 8 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Venezuela?

Entry to Venezuela never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.