Visitor Visa Issuance Partially Suspended in Caracas

Effective March 23, 2014, the U.S. Embassy in Caracas partially suspended visa issuance to first-time applicants of the B-1/B-2 visitor visa, which is issued to persons travelling for business and to tourists, and to foreign nationals with visitor visas expired for more than one year. Until further notice, appointments for first-time visitor visas are available only in emergency situations.

At this time, however, the Embassy is honoring appointments that have already been scheduled. Appointments for B-1/B-2 renewals are available as long as the visa has not been expired for more than one year. Other classes of visa are unaffected by the suspension.

The suspension results from understaffing at the Embassy following the expulsion of several U.S. consular officials and Venezuelan government delays in issuing visas for incoming replacement officers.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals seeking a first-time B-1/B-2 visa at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, including foreign nationals with visitor visas expired for more than one year, should plan ahead and seek alternative options if they need to travel to the United States in the near future. Foreign nationals already scheduled for an appointment for a first-time B-1/B-2 visa at the Embassy should be prepared for the possibility of processing delays.

How Fragomen Can Assist

Fragomen may be able to assist Venezuelan nationals with obtaining a first-time B-1/B-2 visa appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate other than Caracas if there is an urgent need to travel to the United States. Individuals should be aware that processing in a country other than the applicant’s home country – known as “third country national” processing – is not available at every consulate, but may be an option for some at the discretion of the consular post.

If you have any questions about visa processing in Venezuela, please do not hesitate to contact your Fragomen professional.