Venezuela
Last update 10 October 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 4: Termination warning throughout the country (except in case of extreme necessity)
4
Without a visa, but with a ‘tourist card’. The ‘tourist card’ is obtained from a tour operator/airline or at the border. It is valid for a single stay of up to 90 days.
Select passport type
We call on Bulgarian citizens to refrain from travelling!
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have a functioning embassy in Venezuela. The country is serviced by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Federative Republic of Brazil.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Brasilia, Federative Republic of Brazil
Address: SEN Av. das Nações, Qd. 801, Lt.08, CEP 70432-900, Brasília DF
Telephone: +55 61 3223 6193; +55 61 3223 9849
Fax: +55 61 3323 3285
Working hours: 09:00 – 17:30
Opening hours: 9:00 – 17:30
Е-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/brazil
Bulgarian Honorary Consul in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Mr. Stefan Lyubomirov Zlatarov
Oficina: Edif. OPTIÓ Pl. B.2 calle Santa Lucia, Urbanización El Bosque,
Caracas 1060, Venezuela
Telephone: +58 212 9530240; +58 212 9520007
cell. +58 424 2823957
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela does not have a functioning embassy in Bulgaria. The Republic of Bulgaria is serviced by the Embassy in the Republic of Serbia.
Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
Address: Sime Lukina Lazica 10 Belgrade, Serbia
Telepone: (+381) 112 668 384 / 112 669 233
Е-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
General information
We call on Bulgarian citizens to suspend travel in the country except in case of extreme necessity!
Security level:
The political situation in Venezuela is highly unstable, leading to a particularly pressing problem of crime. There is a high risk of kidnappings, car thefts, armed conflicts. Visitors to the country should be aware that much of the criminal activity is linked to organised crime and criminal gangs operate who have contacts in airports, hotels and restaurants. Particular vigilance should be exercised with regard to taxis, as many of them are illegal and can put tourists in danger.
The border areas with Colombia are extremely risky for the safety of visitors, especially in the states of Zulia, Tachira and Apure. Drug traffickers and armed groups are particularly active in these areas.
Healthcare:
It is advisable to drink only bottled water and avoid consuming food sold by ambulant traders. It is recommended that travellers have valid international medical insurance.
In view of the widespread Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses, Bulgarian citizens travelling to or residing in Venezuela are advised to exercise vigilance and caution, to strictly follow the sanitary and hygienic advice of the official authorities.
Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
There are no mandatory vaccines. A yellow fever vaccine is recommended to be applied 10 days prior to entering the country, according to the WHO International Sanitary Regulations. In some rural areas there is a risk of malaria. Dengue fever is endemic in Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year.
Specifics of the local legislation:
Drugs are illegal. Venezuelan law provides for an imprisonment of 15 to 25 years for drug use and trafficking. A person who consumes or possesses drugs may receive a sentence like that imposed on drug traffickers and drug manufacturers. Prison conditions are extremely harsh.
Requests or proposals from others to carry any luggage (packages, suitcases, electrical appliances, food, drinks, cosmetics, etc.) irrespective of the reason, should not be accepted.
Before departure to the airport the passengers are advised to check thoroughly their luggage and verify its content.
It is absolutely forbidden to take pictures of the Miraflores Presidential Palace, military facilities and special purpose airports. The Venezuelan Citizenship Act requires every holder of dual citizenship to use their Venezuelan identification documents upon entering, residing and leaving the country.
Customs requirements:
The import of dairy and meat products is prohibited.
The import of two bottles of liquor per person is permitted.
Road traffic:
Venezuela has a well-developed infrastructure of highways and bridges, very well maintained in the past. In recent years, because of the major layoffs, different programmes have been developed to rebuild crumbling roads. The bus network in the towns and villages throughout the country is very well developed. Regular police checks are carried out throughout Venezuela. It is advisable to drive slowly and stop for police checks.
Travel to and from Maiquetia International Airport (Caracas):
The insecurity at the Caracas International Airport and surrounding areas is significant. The route from Caracas airport to the city is dangerous, there have been cases of armed robberies.
It is advisable to avoid travelling from the airport to the city of Caracas during the dark hours of the day, especially between 23:00 and 04:00.
For arrivals and departures late at night or early in the morning, it is advisable to stay in a hotel close to the airport. Offers for transportation should not be accepted in the arrivals hall. It is advisable to use only taxi cars that are clearly marked with yellow license plates and parked in the designated area at the exit in front of the arrivals hall.
There have been cases of assaults on tourists by fake taxi drivers. It is recommended that airport pick-up is provided by the hotel or a representative of a licensed travel agency as a last resort.
Since 2008, the National Guard has conducted random drug and security checks at the airport. Occasionally, passengers are asked to have their luggage checked or to have an X-ray examination in a local hospital. This is a routine security procedure, but sometimes it hampers the departure of inspected passengers. For international flights, it is advisable that departing passengers arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure to allow sufficient time for security procedures.
Inland air travel:
Visiting tourist destinations in Venezuela can often involve flying on a small plane. The level of security of flights of a particular airline should be checked in advance through a travel agency and preference should be given to companies operating new aircraft.
International airport tax (upon leaving the country) — VEF 190.00.
Fee for domestic flights (including Caracas — Margarita Island) —VEF 38.00.
Local currency:
Bolivar fuerte (VEF).
VEF 4.30 = 1 USD (official exchange rate). The unofficial currency exchange is criminalized and punishable by imprisonment.
There is state control over the foreign exchange. The only currency allowed for all payments in the country is the Bolivar fuerte (Bs.F.). Payments in foreign currency are prohibited by law. Banks in the country are not allowed to open accounts for local and foreign individuals and legal entities in currencies other than the bolivar. Bank transfers in foreign currencies abroad are also prohibited, except in specific cases regulated by law, for which special permission is required from the Commission for the Administration of Foreign Exchange (CADIVI). Offers by strangers for lucrative exchange foreign currency at the international airport should not be accepted. It is recommended to exchange currency at official exchange offices, banks or hotels.
Travel papers and visas
A passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of arrival must be presented to the migration authorities upon entry in the country. Upon entry a questionnaire shall be completed, which is usually distributed to passengers during the flight by the airline staff.
No visa is required for Bulgarian citizens for stays of up to 3 months (90 days). For a longer period of time, for professional activities, training, etc., it is mandatory to apply for a visa at the Embassy of Venezuela in Sofia before departure.
Permanent residents extend their residence permit at the main office of the Immigration Office with Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, ‘SAIME’, by calling: +212 483 20 70; +212 483 35 81; +212 483 27 06.
Practical advice
Competitive service
European Emergency Travel Document:
In case of emergency (lost passport), Bulgarian citizens can seek on-the-spot assistance from a diplomatic mission of an EU Member State to obtain an Emergency Travel Document.
Issuance of identity documents:
Since the beginning of 2012 the Embassies of the Republic of Bulgaria in Argentina and Brazil have been equipped with the biometric data capture system allowing the acceptance of applications for new passports.
Any Bulgarian citizen residing in Venezuela may apply for a passport, an identity card, a driving licence and an Emergency Travel Document at both embassies mentioned above.
A birth certificate must be presented when the first identity card is issued. A police document verifying the relevant circumstances must be presented if the identity card and/or passport is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
The local birth certificate of the child, bearing an Apostille, and the presence of both parents is required in order to issue an Emergency Travel Document for children born abroad. For the issuance of an Emergency Travel Document to return to Bulgaria in case of lost/stolen documents, a report from the police stating the relevant circumstances must be presented (theft, burglary, robbery, etc.).
Certifications and legalizations:
Bulgaria and Venezuela are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention on the Abolition of the Requirement of Legalisation of Foreign Public Documents. Therefore, the documents/deeds drawn up in each of the two countries should bear an Apostille by the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as translated and duly authenticated in order to serve before the authorities of the other country.