Venezuela - Business TravelVenezuela - Business Travel

Business Customs

U.S. and Venezuelan companies have enjoyed a high level of commercial interaction for many decades, largely because of geographic proximity, cultural ties, and Venezuela’s long history of a petroleum sector-based economy.  Despite challenges in recent years, there are still many similarities in how companies in the two countries approach business.  Compared to U.S. firms, however, Venezuelan companies often make decisions higher up in the organization and rely on trusted relationships and networks.  U.S. vendors should bear in mind that decisions may take longer because of this practice.  

Travel Advisory

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should consult the State Department’s Venezuela International Travel Information.

Visa Requirements

U.S. travelers require a valid visa to travel to Venezuela.  To obtain instructions on obtaining a Venezuelan tourist, business, investment, or work visa, U.S. travelers should contact the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, DC or nearest Venezuelan consulate in the United States.  The U.S. Embassy in Caracas has received reports of U.S. business travelers’ experiencing delays on arrival at port of entry in Venezuela and detailed questioning in customs despite the traveler possessing a valid Venezuelan visa and reason for travel.  Travelers can also obtain additional information about American Citizen Services from the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela. 

In many instances, especially with non-U.S. airlines, the exit tax and airport fee are not included in the airline ticket price and must be paid separately at the airport upon departure.  Authorities usually require that payment be made in local currency.  Both the departure tax and the airport fee are subject to change with little notice, and additional nominal fees may vary by airport.  Travelers should check with their airlines for the latest information.

Venezuela requires citizens of the United States and certain other countries to have at least six months’ validity remaining on their passports to enter Venezuela.  While this rule has not been uniformly enforced, some U.S. citizens have been denied entry.  Ensure that your passport has at least six months validity from the date of arrival to Venezuela.  Visitors should apply for a business visa three months in advance of their travel.  Applicants are required to pay a fee as well as provide documentation outlined on the Venezuelan Embassy website.  The validity of a business visa is one year with multiple entries.  Business visa holders can stay in Venezuela for up to 180 days, after which the visa cannot be extended.  This information is in accordance with the Venezuelan Embassy webpage and is subject to short-term changes in policy, prices, and requirements.  The visa policy for U.S. visitors has only been in place since March 2015 and some of the business visa criteria have been applied inconsistently.

U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be aware of U.S. visa requirements for Venezuelans.  Visa applicants should go to the following links.
State Department Visa Website  
U.S. Embassy in Venezuela (Visa Website)

Currency

Multiple FX mechanisms and exchange rates have been introduced, modified, and eliminated over the past several years.  Venezuelan law presently authorizes one official FX mechanism to sell dollars to private sector firms and individuals (Gazette No. 41.329, January 2018).  The mechanism, called Complimentary Exchange Rate or DICOM, sells dollars for all types of products.  The DICOM rate is a variable rate determined by a BCV-managed auction system launched in May 2017. The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s (GBRV) FX regimes have not met market demand for dollars for several years.  A robust parallel market has emerged as a result.  Foreign exchange on the parallel market is illegal under Venezuelan law.  However, rates for currency sales made outside of Venezuela are updated daily on internet sites.  

Venezuela’s investment law limits earnings repatriation to a maximum of 80 percent of local currency earnings in any fiscal year. Legally, foreign investors could purchase dollars through DICOM to repatriate earnings. However, foreign investors have struggled to convert their bolivar earnings into U.S. dollars.  Since 2008, the government office CENCOEX and its predecessor, CADIVI, virtually ceased approving the sale of U.S. dollars for earnings or capital repatriation. Multinational firms have announced numerous accounting losses due to exchange rate depreciation.  Many multinational firms have deconsolidated their Venezuelan subsidiary from their global financial statements.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Local mail service is not dependable, and important correspondence should not be sent by mail.  International courier service should be used only for papers and documents and not include anything else or it will be delayed by Venezuelan customs.  Independent observers have reported checks, electronics and other valuables being removed from international courier packages.  Using messenger delivery is the recommended option within Caracas and other large cities in lieu of the mail (for correspondence, invitations to receptions, etc.).  Email or other electronic communication platforms are used for most routine correspondence.  There are three cellular telephone service providers offering countrywide service.  International voice SMS service to and from Venezuela has been problematic since April 2016 due to payment issues experienced by the telephone service providers.  However, international calls and SMS service remain available through internet platforms.  

Transportation

Travel between Caracas and its international airport, Maiquetia, can be unpredictable.  Highway traffic jams caused by accidents, protests, and construction are common.  Airlines require travelers to arrive at the airport three hours before the scheduled flight time, as check-in and security lines tend to be slow. 

Most international airlines sell tickets in dollars and have significantly cut capacity by reducing frequencies, downgrading aircraft, and/or suspending Venezuela service.  American Airlines is the only remaining U.S. air carrier with service to Venezuela.  Domestic flights to secondary cities have reduced dramatically over the last year, and tickets are difficult to find.  Travelers should expect flight delays and aged planes.

Corporate, private, and executive aircraft without cargo or paying passengers require an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) flight plan, which must be filed at the destination airport before arrival.  Initial landing in Venezuela must be at an international airport to pass through customs and immigration.  Checks for drugs, weapons, and explosives are possible as well as an aircraft safety ramp check and a check for documents (registration, airworthiness certificate, insurance, and pilot licenses).  Flights from the initial arrival airport to domestic destinations are possible, but require a permit in addition to a domestic flight plan.  The transport of company-owned cargo or paying passengers constitutes a “commercial flight,” which requires clearance at least 24 hours before arrival.

Language

Venezuela’s official language is Spanish.  U.S. companies interested in selling to the GBRV should note that correspondence must be in Spanish, according to Venezuelan law.  In the private sector, although some Venezuelan business executives might speak English, many U.S. exporters place themselves at a disadvantage if Spanish language promotional materials are not available.  Firms should be aware that the ability to communicate in Spanish could be a major deciding factor on the part of a Venezuelan partner.

Health

Daytime temperatures in Caracas are usually between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.  Locations at sea level – including Maracaibo, Valencia, Puerto La Cruz, and Barquisimeto – are considerably warmer than Caracas.  During the rainy season, roughly from April through November, afternoon rain showers are common.  Evenings can be cool at any time of the year.  Travelers should bring a sweater or light jacket for evening outings and an umbrella for unexpected rainfall.  

Vaccination Requirements and Recommendations for travel to Venezuela
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers over one year of age arriving from Brazil and for travelers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.  Persons traveling from Venezuela to certain other countries (including but not limited to Aruba, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Colombia, Brazil and Belize, and Nicaragua) may be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination.

Travel Warnings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 3 Travel Warning on May 15, 2018 and recommends travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Venezuela due to unreliable health services in Venezuela. The country is experiencing outbreaks of infectious diseases, and adequate health care is currently difficult to obtain in many parts of the country.  The CDC’s website is a reliable and regularly updated source of information about requirements and recommendations for travel to Venezuela.  Additionally, the CDC has determined that there is a risk of Zika virus in Venezuela.  It advises pregnant women to avoid travel to the country and all travelers to strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and other known Zika transmission mechanisms, such as sexual contact, during and after the trip. Travelers to Venezuela should consult the CDC website and visit a travel medicine and immunization clinic prior to travel to Venezuela.

Certain vaccinations are recommended for travel to Venezuela.  These include routine vaccinations for mumps, measles, rubella, polio, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, and chicken pox.  Other recommended vaccines include:  hepatitis A; hepatitis B for persons at risk for blood exposure through activities such as healthcare work, needle-sharing, sexual contact, acupuncture, and tattooing; yellow fever for travelers over nine months of age to areas other than Caracas, Valencia, Maracaibo, Barquisimeto, Margarita Island, the state of Falcon (Lara state), or the peninsular section of Zulia state); typhoid; rabies for persons likely to have frequent exposure to wild animals ( especially bats) and for travelers planning extended stays.  Also consider vaccinations for seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccination for persons over age 65 or otherwise at increased risk for pneumococcal infection.  For current vaccination information specific to Venezuela, go to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

Water and Food
Due to ongoing infrastructure and supply issues, potable water is not reliably treated and should not be considered safe to drink.  Water supply is subject to rationing.  Drink only bottled water or carbonated soft drinks and avoid ice in drinks.  Note that bottled water is subject to shortages as with most food products.  Do not eat raw vegetables or fruits unless they have been disinfected, peeled, or cooked.  Wash your hands often with hot, soapy water.

Insect-Borne Disease
Malaria is not a significant problem in Caracas.  Malaria is increasingly prevalent in several regions of the country, including but not limited to the states of Barinas, Bolivar, and Amazonas.  Sucre state has also seen limited outbreaks of malaria.  Review the CDC’s website for updated information on malaria in Venezuela.  Avoid mosquito bites at all times of the day or night by using long clothing, DEET-containing insect repellant, and bed-netting.  If travelling to malaria endemic areas, contact a medical clinic about taking prophylactic anti-malarial medication. Chloroquine resistant strains of malaria are present in Venezuela. Seek medical care if you think you have malaria.

Dengue fever is endemic throughout Venezuela, in urban as well as rural areas, and has become increasingly prevalent in the past several decades.  Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted by mosquito bites during the day (from sunrise to sunset).  Symptoms include fever, headaches, body-aches, and sometimes a rash.  Though there is no specific treatment, the Embassy health unit advises use of only Tylenol or Paracetamol (acetaminophen) for pain and fevers.  Given the risk for a rare complication known as hemorrhagic fever, do not use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen.  Dengue is rarely fatal, with a mortality rate generally less than that of influenza.  Still, if vomiting or bleeding problems occur, or if a young child is affected, seek medical attention.  Prevention is through the use of appropriate clothing and insect repellent.

Chikungunya is another prevalent mosquito-borne virus infection in Venezuela.  It is transmitted by the same mosquitoes that transmit dengue so daytime mosquito bite prevention is key.  Symptoms are very similar to dengue with fever, muscle aches, and joint pain, which can be severe – affecting particularly the wrists, knees, and ankles.  Like dengue, there is no specific treatment.  Pain and fever should be treated initially with only Tylenol (acetaminophen) or paracetamol.  While Chikungunya is rarely deadly, it can be quite debilitating.  If you experience severe symptoms of Chikungunya that are not helped by Tylenol or paracetamol, seek medical attention.

Another mosquito-borne viral infection present in Venezuela is Zika.  Presentation of the disease is much like the other mosquito-borne illnesses with fever, body aches, joint pain, and rash.  Eye symptoms can also occur.  Treatment remains identical to similar infections with fever control with acetaminophen/paracetamol.  This infection has received world-wide attention during the past year because of complications resulting from the infection.  These include microcephaly in infants born to women infected with Zika while pregnant and a systemic neurological condition known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome.  Though rare, these complications serve as reminders of the importance of prevention. 

Chagas disease is a rare but serious parasitic disease transmitted by the feces of the triatomine bug (also called kissing bug or assassin bug).  In Venezuela, outbreaks have occurred both as a result of drinking contaminated non-commercially prepared fruit juice and from the nighttime bite of the triatomine bug.  This bug hides in the nooks and cracks of structures constructed of mud, adobe brick, and palm thatch.

Medical Services in Venezuela
Medical services in Caracas and other large cities in Venezuela are increasingly unreliable even in many private hospitals (which are known locally as “clinics”.)  Public hospitals and treatment facilities are inadequate and should be avoided.

Historically, private hospitals have been adequate; however, their ability to treat patients is becoming severely limited due to shortages of medical equipment, supplies, and medicines.  Shortages have been so severe, that on any given day, it cannot be guaranteed that “U.S. standard of care” practices will be followed.  In many instances, life-saving surgeries and treatments that are common in other countries are unable to be performed due to lack of supplies.  The number of patients seen daily has increased in the past three years, resulting in a waiting list to see specialists.  Physicians at private hospitals are usually well trained, often in the United States or Western Europe.  Despite this, the facilities, nursing/support services and quality control systems of hospitals in Venezuela are generally not as good.  Public hospitals are greatly lacking in resources and are unable to provide adequate and timely care.  The quality of medical services outside of the larger cities drops off considerably.  Shortages of medicine are common in Caracas (currently >90 percent).  Travelers are advised to bring at least a three-month supply of prescription medication with them, and to have a plan for obtaining medications from a source outside of Venezuela if at all possible.

The U.S. Embassy does not make or guarantee payments to medical providers on behalf of non-U.S. government employees.  All visitors should bring clear evidence of medical insurance coverage.  Venezuelan hospitals and physicians do not accept foreign insurance documents and usually require up-front payment in cash or by credit card.  Medical evacuation insurance is also highly recommended.

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

U.S. companies should note that Venezuela does not have daylight saving time.  As of March 12, 2017, the time is equal to U.S. Eastern Daylight Time from March to November and one hour ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time the rest of the year. 

Recent instability has forced retail stores, restaurants, and factories to adopt reduced or inconsistent hours due to rationing of electricity or protests.
Weekends and holidays are generally off-limits for business meetings.  The Christmas holiday season effectively lasts from December 15 through January 15.  Offices are typically closed or absent key personnel during Easter week and Carnival as well.  Avoid scheduling business trips during these periods if at all possible.

	Holidays 2018
	New Year's Day 2018	Monday, January 1
	Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.*	Monday, January 15
	Washington's Birthday *	Monday, February 19
	Carnival	Monday, February 12
	Carnival	Tuesday, February 13
	Holy Thursday	Thursday, March 29
	Good Friday	Friday, March 30
	Declaration of Independence**	Wednesday, April 19
	Memorial Day*	Monday, May 28
	Independence Day (USA)*	Wednesday, July 4
Independence Day (Venezuela)**		Thursday, July 5
Birthday of Simon Bolivar		Tuesday, July 24
Labor Day*		Monday, September 3
Columbus Day*		Monday, October 8
Day of Indigenous Resistance**		Friday, October 12
Veterans Day*		Monday, November 12
Thanksgiving Day*		Thursday, November 22
Christmas Eve		Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Day		Thursday, December 25
New Year’s Eve		Sunday, December 31

* Denotes U.S. holidays, which the U.S. Embassy observes but Venezuelan businesses do not.  The other holidays listed above are observed both by the U.S. Embassy and by Venezuelans.
** Denotes Venezuelan holidays:  When a Venezuelan holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, there is no substitute Friday or Monday as a day off.

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Business travelers are allowed to bring in reasonable quantities of personal belongings without having to pay duties.  Luggage checks are at the discretion of the inspector.  Personal belongings such as laptops and cameras are allowed without duty.  Note that belongings in excess of what the customs official deems “normal” may draw extra scrutiny and, if deemed commercial products, charged duty.

Not all baggage is opened at the customs counter upon entry, but all items are X-rayed.  Individual inspectors have discretion whether to open a piece of luggage or parcel, and spot checks are always possible.  Venezuelan customs’ main concerns are drugs, weapons of any type, pornography, and similar items with a public safety or morality component.

Travelers bringing in audio visual or other equipment to conduct demonstrations and who are transporting the equipment on the same plane as “accompanied cargo” should arrange for a temporary entry permit, which should be requested at least two days before arrival.  However, in some instances, the traveler can complete the necessary paperwork at the airport.  This entails a written request through a customs agent and securing a bond covering the value of the duty applicable, to be returned once the equipment leaves the country again.  This system is frequently used by participants in trade fairs or by companies wanting to demonstrate their equipment to a potential customer.  The customer can make the arrangements in advance through a customs agent.  If the demonstration equipment is not accompanying the traveler, it normally would come in as freight.  The normal procedures for temporary entry also apply.

Travel Related Web Resources

U.S. Embassy Caracas
The U.S. Department of State
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Health Information for Travelers to Venezuela  

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.