United States: DHS Announces New Entry Process for Venezuelans

On October 12, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced “a safe and lawful way” for qualifying Venezuelans with supporters to travel by air to the United States, temporarily reside in the United States, and apply for work authorization.

According to DHS, the new process for Venezuelans is derived from the success of the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program, which decreased flows at the border by creating an orderly process for the entry of Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

To be eligible, Venezuelans must:

• Have a supporter in the United States who will provide financial and other support;
• Pass rigorous biometric and biographic national security and public safety screening and vetting; and
• Complete vaccinations and other public health requirements.

Venezuelans are ineligible if they have:

• Been ordered removed from the United States in the previous five years;
• Crossed without authorization between ports of entry after the date of this announcement (October 12, 2022);
• Irregularly entered Mexico or Panama after the date of this announcement, or are a permanent resident or dual national of any country other than Venezuela, or currently hold refugee status in any country; or
• Not completed vaccinations and other public health requirements.

DHS is expected to make additional information on this process available on this page in the coming days. Fragomen will provide updates accordingly.

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