Traveling to Venezuela from the US

This page is for immigrants in the United States planning a trip to Venezuela — whether for a home-country visit, family event, business travel, or relocation. We summarize the current US State Department travel advisory, US embassy location in Venezuela, and key bilateral context that affects re-entry to the US.

Current US travel advisory: Level 3 🟠

Status: Reconsider travel Last updated: April 20, 2026 Official advisory page: https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/venezuela.html

US Embassy + diplomatic relations

Re-entry to the US after visiting Venezuela

US permanent residents (green-card holders):

  • Trips under 6 months: normal re-entry process at port of entry
  • Trips 6 months to 1 year: may face questioning about abandonment of LPR status
  • Trips over 1 year: green card considered abandoned — apply for SB-1 returning resident visa at US embassy in Venezuela BEFORE returning
  • Apply for Re-entry Permit (Form I-131) BEFORE departing if trip will be 1-2 years
  • A criminal record now raises reentry risk: after Blanche v. Lau (Supreme Court, June 2026), a border officer needs only a “reason to believe” you committed a crime involving moral turpitude — not clear and convincing proof — to treat you as seeking admission. With any conviction, pending charge, or arrest, consult an immigration attorney before you travel.

TPS holders, asylum applicants, DACA recipients:

  • MUST apply for Advance Parole (Form I-131) BEFORE leaving the US
  • Returning without Advance Parole may abandon your application/status
  • Some TPS holders may not be eligible for Advance Parole — consult attorney

US citizens:

  • US passport required (valid 6+ months past entry date in most countries)
  • Venezuela visa: check with Venezuela’s embassy in the US — many countries waive visa for US citizens or issue visa on arrival

Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal or travel advice. Travel advisories change frequently; verify at travel.state.gov before planning. Venezuela entry requirements change too; verify with Venezuela’s embassy or consulate before traveling.

Re-entry deadlines, fees, and contacts (2025-2026)

USCIS Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) covers Advance Parole for TPS holders, asylum applicants, and DACA recipients. Filing fee: approximately $630 for paper; biometrics are included in the filing fee (USCIS removed the separate biometric services fee in 2024). Processing time: approximately 5-8 months for routine; emergency expedite available via USCIS Contact Center 1-800-375-5283 with documentation of urgent humanitarian need.

Re-entry Permit (Form I-131): approximately $630 for LPRs planning trips of 1-2 years (biometrics included in the filing fee). SB-1 Returning Resident Visa: approximately $180 application fee at US embassy abroad, required if LPR absent more than 1 year without I-131 Re-entry Permit. The 3-year and 10-year unlawful-presence bars under INA 212(a)(9)(B) apply to individuals who accrued 180+ days or 1+ year of unlawful presence before departing — consult an AILA-member immigration attorney BEFORE traveling if you have any prior unlawful presence.

The State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov is free; US citizens and LPRs can enroll for the country they’re visiting to receive emergency alerts and assist embassy contact if needed. US Embassy emergency line for US citizens abroad: 1-888-407-4747 (from US/Canada) or +1-202-501-4444 (from overseas, 24/7).

For passport services: routine US passport processing 8-11 weeks ($165 fee), expedited 3-5 weeks (+$60), emergency in-person life-or-death (~2 weeks). Children under 16 require both-parent consent (Form DS-3053 if one parent absent). The DS-160 (nonimmigrant visa) and DS-260 (immigrant visa) are separate State Department systems — not used for US passports.

For port-of-entry processes (wait times, I-94 retrieval), use bwt.cbp.gov or CBP’s CBP Link app — the former CBP One app was discontinued in January 2025. Global Entry interview by appointment ($120 since October 2024, 5-year membership). Verify all current fees at travel.state.gov before paying.