VENEZUELA – New Mandatory Insurance for Tourists and On-going Delays to Immigration Processing
According to new regulations coming into effect March 31, 2014, all tourists travelling into and out of Venezuela must have a medical and travel insurance policy. In other developments, the on-going political violence in Venezuela has led to significant delays in immigration processing.
Mandatory Insurance
Beginning March 31, all tourists travelling out of Venezuela will be required to demonstrate to the airline or other transportation carrier that they have a travel insurance policy covering medical assistance and luggage loss or theft. Starting May 1, all tourists travelling into Venezuela will also have to show proof that they have medical and travel insurance. In practice, proof of travel insurance may be requested before March 31 by Venezuelan authorities at border crossings.
The insurance policy must cover medical costs of at least 26,500 SDRs (Special Drawing Rights), equivalent to about $40,000 USD, as well as at least 900 SDRs ($600 USD) of baggage loss or theft.
Processing Delays
As a result of the recent political violence, strikes and protests in Venezuela, services continue to be disrupted at several government offices, including those involved with immigration processing. Time frames for several immigration documents to be issued are therefore currently longer than usual.
Currently, work permit applications are taking at least three months (up from about two months previously), local registration is taking about one month (up from ten days) and residence cards about six weeks (up from 10 days).