Venezuelan nationality law is the law governing the acquisition, transmission and loss of Venezuelan citizenship. It is based on the principle ofjus soli: any person born inVenezuela acquires Venezuelan citizenship at birth, irrespective of nationality or status of parents. Venezuelan nationality law is regulated by Section 1 of Chapter 2 of theConstitution of Venezuela and by the Nationality and Citizenship Act of 2004.[1][2]
A child born inVenezuela regardless of the nationality or status of the parents.
A child born outsideVenezuela to parents who are both Venezuelans by birth.
A child born outsideVenezuela to a Venezuelan father or mother, who is a Venezuelan by birth, provided that the child is living inVenezuela or declares their intention to obtain the Venezuelan nationality at any of theDiplomatic missions of Venezuela.
A child born outsideVenezuela to a naturalized Venezuelan father or mother, provided that the child lives in Venezuela prior to reaching 18 years of age and declares their intention to obtain the Venezuelan nationality at the Ministry of Interior and Justice or at any Venezuelan Public Registry.
Applicants must be legally residing inVenezuela, must have passed a citizenship test and meet the continuous residence requirement prior to submitting an application for naturalization to the Venezuelan government:
Any person who has been legally living inVenezuela for 10 continuous years.
Foreign-born minor children whose parent(s) obtained Venezuelan citizenship by naturalization and have been legally living in Venezuela for 5 continuous years. A nationality declaration must be made by the minor before the age of 21.
A spouse or husband of a Venezuelan citizen who has been married and living inVenezuela for 5 continuous years.
A Venezuelan-born cannot be deprived their nationality.
Any Venezuelan-born may voluntary renounce their Venezuelan nationality by birth if he or she obtains a foreign nationality. A declaration must be made at any of theDiplomatic missions of Venezuela if living abroad or at any Venezuelan Public Registry if living in Venezuela and such declaration will take effect if entered into their Venezuelan birth certificate.
Venezuelan citizens by naturalization may be deprived of their Venezuelan nationality (i.e. treason, fraud or national security grounds) by a court judgment from a Venezuelan Court.
Venezuelan citizens by naturalization may voluntarily renounce their Venezuelan nationality. A declaration must be made at any of theDiplomatic missions of Venezuela if living abroad or at any Venezuelan Public Registry if living inVenezuela.
Former Venezuelan citizens by birth may regain their Venezuelan nationality by birth if he or she have been legally in Venezuela for 2 years and a declaration of recovery has entered their Venezuelan birth certificate.
Former Venezuelan citizens by naturalization he or she must meet again the residency requirements as of Article 33 of theConstitution of Venezuela.
Visa requirements for Venezuelan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens ofVenezuela. As of 7 July 2020, Venezuelan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 129 countries and territories, ranking theVenezuelan passport 44th in terms of travel freedom (tied with theNicaraguan andUkrainian passport) according to theHenley Passport Index.[5]For traveling withinSouth America (exceptParaguay,Uruguay andthe Guyanas), Venezuelans do not need to use a passport, as they may use their ID card.
Venezuela portal