Group Travel Program

What is the Group Travel Program?

We have set-up a special program to facilitate appointments for qualified groups travelling together.  The purpose of this program is to increase the efficiency of visa interviews and make the arrangement of a visa appointment more convenient for applicants.

What Kinds of Groups Qualify for this Program?

Qualifying groups meet the following requirements:

• The group must be comprised of 6 or more people.
• It should be associated with a sponsoring organization such as a sports team, church, musical group or company.
• Groups must be traveling for the same purpose, to a specific event (for example:  to attend a conference, to participate in a sports competition)
• All participants must have the same travel itinerary - meaning they are traveling together, to the same place at the same time, and returning together.
• Applicants should be event participants or coaches (with the exception of groups composed of minors, where we will accept limited applications for chaperones).

Examples of groups that qualify include:

• A national selection sports team (baseball, soccer, etc.) – adult or youth
• Members of a professional association (doctors, lawyers, etc.) traveling to a conference
• A church group traveling to participate in a service project

Examples of groups that DO NOT qualify include:

• A family group traveling on vacation
• A travel agency group that plans to take a tour in the US

How Can We Schedule a Group Appointment?

Members of a qualified group do not need to call the Visa Information Center to schedule an appointment. To schedule an appointment, send an e-mail to groupscaracas@state.gov  with the following attachments: 

• An invitation letter from the event in the United States
• A letter from the Venezuelan association verifying the group’s membership in the organization
• A completed Group Travel Program Form (Complete the Group Travel Form now)
• If receiving financial sponsorship, a letter and financial documents from the group sponsor (s)

We kindly request that all applications are submitted at least 30 days in advance of your travel date.  Applications submitted on shorter notice will be considered, but there is no guarantee that we can accommodate requests for appointments on short notice.

Group Members Must Still Qualify for the Visa

Even though applicants are applying through the Group Travel Program, all applicants must still qualify for visas individually. There is a chance that your visa may be denied.  The Group Travel Program is a means to expedite your visa appointment. It is not a guarantee of a visa. Each applicant must ensure that he or she appears at the interview with all the required evidence to demonstrate his or her qualifications for a visa.

What Should I Bring to the Interview?

Each group member must:

• Pay the relevant fee at Banco Provincial.
• Bring your DS-160 confirmation to the appointment.
• Have your current passport, any old passports, and old American visas on hand during the interview.
• Bring whatever documents are necessary to demonstrate your ability to cover the trip expenses. If a sponsor will be paying for the trip, please bring whatever documents demonstrate the sponsor is capable of covering the costs.
• Bring work or school letters as evidence of employment or student status.
• 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 demonstrating compelling ties that will bring you back to your country.

Who Should Attend the Interview?

Each group member applying for a visa must attend the interview. Generally speaking, if the applicant is under the age of 17, one parent/legal guardian must attend the interview.

The group coordinator is responsible for ensuring that group members arrive on time to their appointment and come with the required documentation.