Personal Appearance Now Required for Some SAIME Transactions

The situation

Effective August 7, 2018 the Venezuelan Immigration Office (SAIME) requires personal appearance by all foreign nationals applying for:

• Visa renewals;
• Local identification card (cédula) renewals; and
• Transfer of Venezuelan visa to a new passport, also called recuento.

 

A closer look

Applicants must personally appear during all stages of their process including filing applications, follow ups, escalations (when necessary) and approvals, without a third-party representative.

In the past, Fragomen and third-party representatives could appear at the SAIME office during all stages of the process on behalf of the foreign national with a power of attorney.

Impact

Third-party representatives are now limited to preparing documents, providing guidance and accompanying the foreign national to the outside of the SAIME office.

Looking ahead

Fragomen will continue to prepare application materials and provide guidance as necessary.

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].