Latin America/Venezuela: Immigration Policy Developments Affecting Venezuelan Nationals

Several countries are adjusting immigration and entry policies affecting Venezuelan nationals as Venezuela’s long-standing crisis enters a new period of heightened political and security uncertainty following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.

• Argentina: Argentina has implemented targeted restrictions on Venezuelan nationals considered to have links to the Maduro government, including government officials, military members, regime-associated business figures, and individuals subject to international sanctions. The measure aims to prevent Argentina from being used as a refuge for individuals connected to the Venezuelan regime. The government has stated that those with such ties will not be eligible for protection, though details on how the measure will be operationalized remain limited. 

• Ecuador: Ecuador has introduced entry restrictions on Venezuelan nationals linked to the Maduro regime, including public officials, members of the armed forces and security services, and business figures and other individuals associated with or linked to that regime. Although Venezuelans already require a visa to enter Ecuador, implementation guidance remains limited, and the restriction is expected to apply even where a valid visa has been issued. 

• Paraguay: Paraguay has revoked visa-free entry for Venezuelan nationals, reinstating a mandatory visa requirement for tourism and business travel effective immediately. The change ends a long-standing exemption that had been in place since 1996, which allowed visa-free stays of up to 60 days. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Venezuelan nationals seeking entry must now obtain a consular Nonresident Visa, which includes document verification and criminal background checks, citing national security considerations related to recent political and humanitarian developments in Venezuela. This visa typically allows an initial stay of 90 days with one possible extension for the same period. Foreign nationals with valid Paraguayan residence permits are exempt from this change.  

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.