Venezuela at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Not available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Not available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Not eligible |
| Entry restrictions | Partial: some visas suspended |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Terminated |
| Where visas are processed | The U.S. Embassy in Caracas reopened in March 2026 but does not issue visas. Immigrant visas for Venezuelan residents are processed at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia; visitors and students must apply outside Venezuela. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Venezuela right now
- Partial entry restriction (presidential proclamations of June 2025 and January 2026): visitor, student and exchange visas and all immigrant visas are suspended, with limited exceptions. The earlier exception for close relatives of U.S. citizens was removed.
- TPS for Venezuela has been terminated; related lawsuits continue.
- The CHNV parole program ended in 2025.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Venezuela
AsylumProtection for people who fear persecution in their home countryFamily petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsEB-2 NIWSelf-petition green card if your work benefits the U.S.Removal defenseWhat to know if you have a case in immigration courtTPSTemporary protection for nationals of designated countriesExtend or change statusStay longer or switch to another nonimmigrant status
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Venezuela visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Venezuela is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from Venezuela get an E-2 investor visa?
Not on Venezuela nationality alone: there is no E-2 treaty between Venezuela and the United States. Some people qualify through a second nationality from a treaty country, or use other paths such as EB-5.
Can people from Venezuela enter the green card lottery?
Venezuela was not eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, and someone born in Venezuela may still qualify through a spouse born in an eligible country.
Where do people from Venezuela have their visa interview?
The U.S. Embassy in Caracas reopened in March 2026 but does not issue visas. Immigrant visas for Venezuelan residents are processed at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia; visitors and students must apply outside Venezuela.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Venezuela?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in the Americas
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.