CARACAS: Venezuela’s embassy in the United States published detailed list of new visa requirements for US residents.
The Venezuelan government removed the United States from its list of countries that benefit from a visa waiver scheme. Previously, US 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. Maduro released new evidence he said indicates a recent coup plot was largely planned on US soil, and involved both Venezuelans and U.S. officials.
“This plot has a tag which reads ‘made in the USA,’” 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.
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.
