How can I request an appointment for my visa?
Please refer to our how to schedule an appointment section.

How can I apply for an Expedited Appointment?
Please refer to the expedited appointment section.

What is the process for renewal of visa?
Please refer to the visa renewal program section.

Do I have to call first and then make an appointment online?
No. You can schedule the appointment online or by phone.

How can I retrieve information of my appointment?
If you lost the information of your appointment or have any doubts about your appointment information or what to bring to your appointment, you must contact our CALL CENTER directly. The Embassy does not issue.  You can utilize the online service utility to obtain information about your appointment.

How can I change, postpone or cancel my appointment?
If you want to reschedule or inquire about your appointment ,  you may contact our Consular Information Service by calling to 0-800-847-3388 from Venezuela. Remember, you can use your old PIN if it has time remaining. If the PIN has expired, you will need to purchase a new one. Please advise the operator that you had an prior appointment before to facilitate your rescheduling process with ease.  You may also manage/change your appointment via the Call Center’s online service.

I could not attend my appointment. How can I reschedule?
Unfortunately, if a person does not attend an appointment, he or she loses it and is required to make a new one.
You can change your appointment up to 48 hours before the interview. If you still have time remaining after of your original call, you can use the balance of time to change or request a new appointment.

Do both parents have to be present for the appointment of a child?
Yes.  If one parent cannot be present, and in the case of divorce, the other parent should bring to the interview at the embassy a notarized document signed signed by the absent parent authorizing the present parent the ability to apply for a U.S. visa on behalf of the minor child. Also bring valid identification from the absent parent such as a photocopy of their passport, US visa, and/or cedula.

Does my entire family group must attend the appointment at the Embassy?
The embassy does not require the presence of any applicant under 14 years of age or older than 79 years of age, however, all applicants aged 14 to 79 MUST be present to take their fingerprints.

Does an elderly person (80 years or more) need to attend the interview at the Embassy?
A direct family may contact the Consular Section, with documentation of the person concerned to carry out the visa process.

I live with my common-law spouse. Can we apply for a visa together?Unfortunately, the United States Government does not recognize a union even if it is supported by legal documentation. If you co-habitat with a partner, it is considered a legal partnership. However if you have no legal union with your partner, your partner will have to qualify on their own to obtain a visa.

I live outside of Venezuela but I'm Venezuelan. Do I have to apply for a visa at the Consulate in Caracas?
The issuance of visas to the U.S. and their renewals are usually conducted at the site of residence of the applicant. If you live in another country, you should contact the U.S. Consulate in that country to learn whether or not they complete this process in their country of residence.

I am a legal resident of Venezuela but I have a different nationality. Can I apply for a visa in my home country?
The issuance of visas to the U.S. and their renewals are usually conducted at the site of residence of the applicant. If you have your current residence in this country you may obtain general information about the visa application process for non-immigrant visa in this country.

Is the principal applicant the only one that needs to fill out the form DS-160?
All visa applicants must complete form DS-160 and this effect payment of consular fee at Banco Provincial. Likewise, everyone should have an appointment scheduled by the Call Center. There are no exceptions for age or number of relatives in your household.

If I am renewing my visa, but my spouse is applying for the first time, can we apply together via the renewal program?

No.  You are welcome to apply through the renewal program, however, your spouse will have to make an appointment as a regular non-renewal applicant.  Alternatively, you both can apply together as regular non-renewal applicants.

How can I pay for a Pin Number?
If you use a credit card issued by a Venezuelan bank, the card will have to have a CADVI permit for Internet purchases before it can be used.

How can I pay if I do not have a Cadivi Approved credit card for electronic purchases?
Perhaps a friend or family member who has an approved cadivi card can help you out.   The credit card used to make the appointment does not need to belong to the individual making the appointment. International credit cards are also accepted.  Note that only Visa and/or Master Card are accepted.  

How does the Online Service works?
You can now obtain information and/or schedule an interview for a non-immigrant visa online. The cost of using this Visa Information Service through the website is $10.00 (U.S. dollars) payable by Visa or MasterCard.   After making your payment, you may access the service. The payment schedule for interviews allows up to 5 people from the same family who reside in the same household to attend the interview. This system can only be used to schedule the appointment, you will need to attend the appointment and qualify to obtain a visa.

I paid $10 to get a PIN Number, but I can’t get through the Call Center.
The $10 fee for a PIN allows you to access the Call Center’s online service to schedule appointments and/or make changes to your existing appointment.  Paying the online service $10 fee does not allow you call for the Call Center.  In order to access the call center telephonically, you must pay the $23 fee.

How can I change, postpone or cancel my appointment?
If you want to reschedule or inquire about your appointment ,  you may contact our Consular Information Service by calling to 0-800-847-3388 from Venezuela. Remember, you can use your old PIN if it has time remaining. If the PIN has expired, you will need to purchase a new one. Please advise the operator that you had an previous appointment before to facilitate your rescheduling process with ease.  You may also manage/change your appointment via the Call Center’s on-line service.

How can I retrieve information about my appointment?
If you lost the information regarding your appointment or have any questions regarding what you need to bring to your appointment, you must contact our CALL CENTER directly, since the Embassy does not issue its own appointment and therefore we don’t provide it either.  You can always utilize the on-line service utility to obtain information about your appointment.

What is the valid duration time that my passport should have to travel?
Citizens of Venezuela can enter the United States as long as they have a valid visa and a valid passport.The passport must be valid for the duration of your planned stay in the United States.

My visa in my passport has expired or is about to expire. Can I travel with it?
If the Non-Immigrant Visa you have in your passport has expired, you are not able to travel on it. You are able to enter the United States on the visa until the last day of validity.  If you would like to renew a non-immigrant visa, you may request a visa more expeditiously through the renewal program.

My valid visa is in an expired passport but I have a valid passport. How can I travel?
You can travel with both passports-- the expired passport with the valid visa and your current passport. Alternatively, you may request a new visa for your new passport through the renewal program for more expeditious processing.

My visa was damaged, how can I get a new one?
If your visa was damaged or destroyed in some way, you must apply for a new visa through the regular process. The same policy applies for a damaged passport and you must obtain a new passport.

My Venezuelan passport is blue and has the nomenclature "Republic of Venezuela." Is it valid to apply for visa?
Please note that as of July 1, 2007, the U.S. Embassy in Caracas has ceased placing visas in Venezuelan passports with the nomenclature "Republic of Venezuela." Visas will be placed only in the passports that state: "Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela" or "Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela - Andean Community of Nations" on the cover.

What documents should I present the day of my appointment?

• Two copies of the confirmation sheet of the template DS-160 (photocopy with payment already made).
• Two 5cm x 5cm photo with white background.
• A valid passport, in good condition (Note: The blue passports of the Republic of Venezuela are not accepted for visa applications).
• Bank statements from the previous three months (no letters of reference from banks).
• Evidence of ownership of property and real estate.
• Proof of employment and/or study.
• Other documents that you deem necessary to prove that it has no intention of immigrating to the United States and/or any additional forms required by your type of visa (either working or student exchange)

If applying for visas other than tourist please visit the specific requirements on the visa application process section.

What form should I complete and where can I find it?
The mandatory form for the visa application is DS-160. Applicants can access the DS-160 form through the website of the Consular Electronic Applications Center of the State Department.

How can I correct information on the DS-160 form?
You must complete a new form with the correct information. If you already paid the consular fees before the day of the interview, you must bring that form in.

If you are asked by a Consular Officer to correct your DS-160 form after your interview please refer to our DS-160 CEAC correction section

Do young childrens need to fill out the form DS-160?
All visa applicants must complete form DS-160 and this effect payment of consular fee at Banco Provincial. Likewise, everyone should have an appointment scheduled by the Call Center. There are no exceptions for age or number of relatives in your household.

How can I solve problems with filling out the DS-160 form?
Refer to: Answers to common questions of the form DS-160.

How much do I have to pay for the application of the visa and where?
The amount of the consular service is $160 (U.S. dollars) for tourist visas and can be paid at Banco Provincial. You should verify the current exchange rate but at this time, it is BsF. 4.30  x USD 1.00
Each application form must have the amount paid stamped on the form. This is your proof of payment and must be presented to the consular officer on the day of your appointment.

What are the current Non Immigrant Visa Type Fees?

USD 160.00 (Bsf. 688.00) at Banco Provincial:

• B1 (Business/Domestic Employee)
• B1B2 (Business/Tourism)
• F (Student)
• I (Journalist)
• J (Exchange)
• M (Vocational Students)
• C (Transit)
• C1/D (Crew Men

USD 190.00 (Bsf. 817.00) at Banco Provincial:

• H (Temporary Workers)
• L (Intra-Company Transference)
• O (Extraordinary abilities)
• P (Athletes and Artists)
• R (Religious Workers)
• Q (International Culture Exchange

USD 270.00 (Bsf. 1161.00) at Consular Cashier. Only cash accepted:

• E (Treaty, Investment)

USD 240.00 (Bsf. 1032.00) at Consular Cashier. Only cash accepted:

• K (Immigrant Visa)

REMINDER:
As specified above, all visas except the E and K Visas must be paid at a branch of Banco Provincial.Applicants for E and K visas can pay on the day of the appointment.
Applicants from Aruba, Bonaire or Curacao may pay their fee at the Embassy, however, credit cards cannot be used to pay the fee.
L Blanket petition applicants need to pay, besides the consular fee, the US$ 500 for the "Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee". This can only be paid in cash in the Consular Cashier in the Embassy.
 
The bank will print proof of payment on your DS-160 confirmation page.  Individuals can access the DS-160 from the Department of State's Consular Electronic Application Center website.

Why is the Department of State increasing the basic nonimmigrant visa application fee to $160 from its current amount of $140?

We are required by law to recover the cost of processing nonimmigrant visas through the collection of visa application processing fees, also called Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fees.  The cost-of-service model is updated annually to determine direct and indirect costs to the U.S. government when providing all consular services, such as nonimmigrant visa processing.  This update was completed in December 2011 using an activity-based cost model, which is standard for estimating the cost of government services. 

The activity-based cost model takes into account all costs to the U.S. government, including a major cost driver:  visa workload volume.  Items that impact the model include an increase in the number of visas processed or new regulations requiring additional security screenings.  The model also includes costs of major Department initiatives, particularly those related to meeting the increase in demand for nonimmigrant visas.

When do the new processing fees go into effect?

The new fees will take effect on April 13, 2012, 15 days after the day the interim final rule is published in the Federal Register.

What if I already paid my fee, for an appointment after April 13, 2012?

Applicants will be charged the fee in effect on the day of payment.  For fees that are increasing, receipts for payments made prior to the fee changes will be accepted for 90 days after the fee takes effect, or through July 12, 2012.

Requirements for minor childrens (Under 21)

To qualify for a Non-Immigrant visa (B1/B2), an applicant must demonstrate their ties to their country. Children establish their ties to their host country through their parents, or legal guardian.

For all minors (anyone under the age of 21), applicants should present passports for both parents, if the parents have passports. If one or both of the parents has a valid visa, the original passport with the visa must be shown at the interview. If one parent will not be present at the interview and does not have a passport with a U.S. visa, applicants should supply the written legally certified travel approval by the parent that is not present, with a copy of one ID document such as a cedula.

If one parent has custody, only the custodial parent needs to be present to give consent, and/or present their passport with a U.S. visa, or a written consent with an ID. The parent must show legal court documents that he/she has sole custody or the death certificate if the other parent is deceased. If legal guardian is anyone else (i.e. grandparent) he/she must be present to give consent, and/or present their passport with a U.S. visa, or a written consent with an ID as well as proof of sole legal guardianship. Minors that have a legal guardian must present the legal Guardianship and Custody document for the legal guardian or the parent with custody.

Both parents must be present for the appointment of a child?

Yes.  If one parent cannot be present and in the case of divorce, the other parent should bring to the interview at the embassy a notarized document signed by the absent parent, authorizing a visa to visit the United States for the minor child. Also bring valid identification from the absent parent such as a photocopy of their passport, U.S. visa, and/or cedula along with a legally certified birth certificate.

If my children qualify for the renewal program, do they need to come to the Embassy?

Children under the age of 14 do NOT require fingerprints and do NOT need to come for an interview.  The parents should simply submit the documents to the Consular Section on the day of their appointment.

Note:  Children 14 and older MUST present themselves for fingerprints.  So children who are eligible for the renewal program but must submit fingerprints should accompany their parent(s) on the date of the appointment.

Information on reasons for the denials of visas

For the most common nonimmigrant visa categories, the most likely reason for being denied a visa is that the applicant fails to overcome the statutory presumption of immigrant intent that is found in Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).  Under this section of the law, a visa applicant must show at the time of the visa application that s/he is entitled to nonimmigrant status.  For most applicants that means a residence that you will not abandon and compelling ties that will bring you back to your country.  For students, it can also mean having a credible reason for study and the funds to pay the costs of study.

Please note: an applicant must qualify for a visa every time he/she applies, regardless of the fact that they may have a valid visa or have had a visa before.
 
The interview with the consular officer and the information that the applicant provides in writing on the application form(s) are the most important elements of the visa process.  Depending on the type of visa application, applicants may need to bring other financial, job or school documents to support their reason for travel or their compelling ties to their country.

Because of the number of people applying for visas each day, the interviews are often short. It is essential that the visa applicant be prepared to provide complete and accurate answers to all written and oral questions.  Inconsistent or inaccurate answers make it difficult for the consular officer to conclude that the proposed purpose for travel is realistic, or that the applicant is otherwise qualified for a nonimmigrant visa.
 
Reapplying After a Denial and Reconsideration of a Visa Denial

A visa denial under INA Section 214(b) is not permanent. Visa applicants seekers may reapply for a visa at their own discretion.  Given the cost associated with the visa application process, we recommend that an applicant do so only if they believe that they will be able to show that they are eligible for a visa based on a change in their personal situation or purpose of travel.

An application may also be temporarily denied under Section 221(g) of the INA. Applicants whose applications are pending under Section 221(g) are given instructions for future processing.

You can call the Visa Information Call Center for additional general information on visa requirements. The Consular Information Call Center is not able to provide case-specific information. 

There is no formal appeal process for visa denials.  To request reconsideration of a case, you may send a letter with the applicant's  complete name as it appears on the passport; also you must specify the reasons why you consider that your case should be reviewed, together with all your personal information scanned in .JPG or .PDF format. Then you must send us your message to the consular section's email: consularcaracas@state.gov

Non-Immigrant Visa Websites

US Government Web Sites

• Bureau of Consular Affairs (Department of State)
• Transportation Security Administration (Department of Homeland Security)
• Federal Aviation Administration
• Department of Transportation
• National Transportation Safety Board

Information on Traveling to United States

• Customs Information for Foreigners (Customs and Border Protection)
• Safe Travel (Department of Transportation)
• Average Wait Time at Customs at the Airport (Customs and Border Protection)
• Airport Delay Information (Federal Aviation Administration)
• National Weather Service
• Traveling with Pets (Department of Agriculture)
• Healthy Travel (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Advice on Packing Your Luggage (Federal Aviation Administration)
• Contact List of Foreign Consular Services in the United States (Department of State)

Tourism in the United States

General Sites

• America's Scenic Byways
• USA Tourist
• Presidential Libraries

Geographic Sites

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• Sedona, Arizona
• California
• Santa Barbara, CA
• Colorado 
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Orlando, FL
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Boston, MA
• Salem, MA
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Minneapolis, MN
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• Las Vegas, NV
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• New York, NY
• Rochester, NY
• Empire State Building
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio 
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• Newport, RI 
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Texas 
• Waco, TX
• Utah
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Washington
• Seattle, WA
• Washington, DC
• Smithsonian
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming