Additional Concessions for Venezuelan Nationals Forthcoming
March 8, 2019
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The situation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published for public comment a new law that will affect Venezuelan nationals in Colombia. The law is expected to go into effect after the public comment period is over on March 16, 2019.
A closer look
Under the new law, Venezuelan nationals will benefit from the below new rules:
- Authorization to enter, transit and exit Colombia with an expired Venezuelan passport;
- Ability to use an expired passport in Colombia for up to two years after the passport’s expiration date;
- Ability to use an expired passport containing a Colombian entry stamp as an identification document in Colombia;
- Ability to receive a Single Entry Permit, which is effectively the same as a valid passport, by presenting an expired passport; and
- Ability to apply for a new or renewed Colombian visa with an expired passport if they meet the requirements set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Impact
This updates the existing concessions in Colombia for Venezuelan nationals.
Background
Due to the suspension of the issuance of new passport booklets in Venezuela, many Venezuelan nationals cannot maintain legal status in some Latin American countries, since a valid passport is often prerequisite for a visa application or extension.
As a temporary solution, most Latin American countries, including Colombia, are allowing Venezuelan nationals with valid residence permits to remain under an expired passport as long as their local identification is valid. Other countries are recognizing the Venezuelan identification card, cedula, as a valid travel document to enter the country and for visa processes.
Looking ahead
The public comment period ends on March 16, 2019. The rules will likely be adopted as stated above following the end of the comment period.
Solutions for issues surrounding the high influx of Venezuelan nationals into Latin American countries are fluid and governments are changing their approaches and practices regularly.
Fragomen will report on relevant developments as they occur.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
