Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Obtaining or renewing a passport from the country of Venezuela has become, for many nationals, a veritable administrative obstacle course—especially from abroad. Between the rules imposed by SAIME, recent changes to document validity, new prohibitions on traveling with an expired passport, and consulate closures, it’s easy to get lost. This guide provides a clear, structured, and up-to-date overview of the steps to follow, whether you are in Venezuela or living outside the country.
Understanding the Venezuelan passport and its legal framework
The passport from the country of Venezuela is issued by the Administrative Service for Identification, Migration, and Foreigners (SAIME). It is the only agency authorized to produce this document, manage renewals, validity extensions (prórrogas), and issue the national ID card, the Cédula de Identidad.
Since July 2007, the Venezuelan passport has been biometric, containing an RFID chip with the photo and fingerprints. Its data page is a plastic card compliant with ICAO and Mercosur standards. Since 2015, the cover is dark blue with the inscriptions “Mercosur” and “República Bolivariana de Venezuela,” as well as a biometric symbol. The old burgundy-colored passports remain valid until their expiration date.
Legally, one point is fundamental: Venezuelan law requires every citizen, including dual nationals, to enter and leave the territory with a valid Venezuelan passport. This obligation was recently reinforced by a 2024 decision that now prohibits boarding a flight to Venezuela with an expired passport or only the national ID card, as was previously tolerated in some cases. From now on, to board a flight to the country, one must present either a valid Venezuelan passport or a travel document issued by a Venezuelan consular post and pre-registered with the airline at least 72 hours before departure.
The different validity periods and the cost of the passport
The passport from the country of Venezuela is offered, in its ordinary version, with three possible validity periods: 3 years, 5 years, or 10 years. The fees depend on both the document’s duration and the holder’s age, as well as where the application is filed (within the country or abroad).
Base rates within the country
Since April 19, 2021, the official fee schedule in U.S. dollars (or equivalent in the Petro cryptocurrency, indexed to the national currency) for a first-time application or regular renewal within Venezuela is as follows:
| Holder Category | Maximum Passport Validity | Indicative Cost (USD / Petros) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18 years and older) | 10 years | 200 USD ≈ 3.6 Petros |
| Child aged 4 to 17 | 5 years (depending on type chosen) | 150 USD ≈ 2.7 Petros |
| Infant aged 0 to 3 | 3 years | 1.8 Petros (USD amount variable) |
In practice, within the country, the amounts in bolivars are indexed to the Venezuelan “fiscal unit” and the official Central Bank rate. Ranges converted to dollars show that, for an ordinary passport, the actual total cost varies significantly with inflation.
Rates for applications from abroad
For Venezuelans residing outside the country, particularly those who must go through the Venezuelan embassy in Mexico, the base fees (excluding additional consular fees) are structured according to duration:
| Chosen Validity Period | Online SAIME Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 3 years | 108.63 USD |
| 5 years | 162.79 USD |
| 10 years | 217.27 USD |
These amounts are paid through the SAIME platform, by bank card or in Petros, at the time of application. In addition, a consular fee is paid on the day of the appointment at the relevant embassy or consulate: 80 USD in the case of the embassy in Mexico, sometimes more in other posts (e.g., 120 USD in consular fees reported in Port of Spain). Minors are in principle exempt from these consular fees, in accordance with child protection provisions.
It is therefore important to add both components—the online payment to SAIME and the cash payment at the consulate—to assess the real cost of the procedure.
Regular passport, express service, and “prórroga”: what are the options?
SAIME offers several channels to obtain or extend a passport from the country of Venezuela, to accommodate different situations: standard application, emergency, or simple validity extension (prórroga).
The ordinary passport: the standard option
The standard procedure is based on an online application, an appointment for biometric data capture, and centralized production in Caracas. Within the country, the announced timeframe for an ordinary passport is between 10 and 15 business days, but in practice, reports and testimonies indicate longer delays, sometimes with waits of several months due to material shortages or production backlogs.
From abroad, particularly via the Venezuelan embassy in Mexico for residents of the United States, the overall duration is longer: one must allow approximately eight weeks for processing by SAIME, plus international shipping times that can add up to another two weeks.
The “Pasaporte Express” service: for urgent situations
For those who need to travel quickly, SAIME has implemented an accelerated service called “Pasaporte Express” or “VIP.” It is requested via the same online platform by selecting the specific option. The official promise is issuance within 24 to 72 hours, with centralized pick-up at the Simón Bolívar office in Caracas for internal applications.
The schedules in bolivars, converted to dollars, illustrate this significant cost increase.
| Category | Approximate express cost (bolivars) | Estimate in USD (variable) |
|---|---|---|
| Child 3 months – 3 years | 15,085.80 – 18,774.60 | ≈ 290 USD |
| Child 3 – 17 years | 16,126.20 – 20,069.40 | ≈ 310 USD |
| Adult (18 years and older) | 18,207 – 22,659 | ≈ 350 USD |
Testimonies also show some confusion about the exact amounts in dollars, with some sources mentioning an additional fee of about 50 USD for the express service. This disparity highlights the importance of checking the updated fees on the SAIME portal at the time of application.
The “prórroga”: extending the validity of an existing passport
Faced with massive difficulties in issuing new passports, the government introduced a validity extension procedure in 2017, called “Prórroga de Validez del Pasaporte.” It is a secure sticker affixed to a blank page of the biometric passport, extending validity by two years from its issuance date, and later up to five years in a subsequent version of the measure.
The conditions for requesting this prórroga are strict.
– Passport expired in 2015 or later, or expiring within the next six months.
– Document in good physical condition.
– At least four blank pages available.
The application is made entirely online on the SAIME website; the extension materializes as a sheet containing the holder’s biographical data, a new expiration date, and security features (images visible under UV light, microtext, offset printing, etc.).
This solution was widely used when wait times for a new passport became unsustainable. However, some foreign authorities do not accept these prórrogas. South African authorities, for example, consider a passport with an extension as expired. Conversely, other countries—the United States, Canada, Spain at one point, and several Latin American states—have accepted the use of expired but extended Venezuelan passports, or even passports that have expired completely, up to five years after the printed date.
The 2024 decree: validity automatically extended
A major change occurred with a decree from the Venezuelan National Assembly on June 25, 2024. It automatically extends the validity of all passports from the country of Venezuela issued before this date: they are now considered valid for an additional ten years after the expiration date indicated in the document, or after the last recorded prórroga, whichever date is later.
In other words, a passport that expired in 2022 but was issued before June 25, 2024 is legally valid, in the eyes of Venezuelan authorities, until 2032. This measure aims to relieve citizens facing the passport production crisis.
U.S. authorities (DHS, USCIS, CBP, National Visa Center) recognize as valid the passports covered by the decree in force for all immigration procedures. U.S. visas already affixed in these passports remain valid until their indicated expiration date, despite the passport’s automatic extension.
However, be aware: this recognition is not universal. For example, Spain, which previously allowed the use of expired Venezuelan passports for certain procedures, now requires a valid document for immigration procedures, arguing that the consulate in Madrid is operating at full capacity for renewals. It is therefore essential to check, country by country, how this decree is applied.
Applying for or renewing a Venezuelan passport from within the country
For citizens located within the country, the procedure always starts from the same entry point: the official SAIME website, accessible at www.saime.gob.ve. Everything is done online, from registration to scheduling an appointment, and payment.
Creating an account and registering on the SAIME portal
The first step is to create a personal account. You must have:
– your Cédula de Identidad number,
– an active email address,
– a valid phone number.
The portal asks for the cédula number and email address, then sends a validation code by email. After this check, the user completes a more detailed form (full name, phone, security questions, password). Once the account is activated, it becomes possible to log in with the cédula and password.
Entering the application and civil status data
In the user space, you must select the “Pasaporte” section, then “Solicitud de pasaporte”. The system then requests several pieces of information from the birth certificate: civil registry number, registration year, certificate number, place of birth, State, and registration parish.
When applying for a Venezuelan passport online, the user must provide their complete address (city and postal code) and select the SAIME office where they will have their fingerprints and photo taken. They then choose a date and time slot from the available options. It is important to note that it is not possible to book a same-day appointment on the platform.
Payment and printing the appointment form
Once the time slot is chosen, the next step is payment. This is usually done via local banks (Banesco, Banco de Venezuela, Banca Amiga) or by card, depending on available options. After payment, an electronic receipt is generated by the site, and a confirmation email for the appointment is sent; it may take a few hours to arrive, and it is advisable to check the spam folder.
It is imperative to print the appointment form. To obtain it, go back to the ‘Pasaporte’ section, then ‘Estado de trámites’, click on ‘Ver’ next to your application, select ‘Datos de la solicitud’ and download the PDF.
This PDF document typically contains: structured text, images, tables, graphs, links, and sometimes interactive forms.
– the application form,
– a declaration to sign,
– the payment receipt generated by SAIME.
If the form displays the message “FECHA INVALIDA,” it means the appointment was not correctly recorded by the system and access to the SAIME office will be denied.
Appointment day: biometric data capture
On the appointed day, you must go to the selected office with:
– the original, laminated, and good condition national ID card (cédula),
– the printed and signed appointment form,
– the SAIME payment receipt, and, as a precaution, a photocopy of the cédula and, if applicable, the old passport.
In some contexts (e.g., applications processed via consulates), a single consular registration may be required, but within Venezuela itself, this point mainly concerns the diaspora.
The visit serves for the electronic capture of data: photograph, fingerprints, digital signature. Offices generally receive the public starting at 9 a.m., on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority reserved for special cases: newborns, the elderly, humanitarian situations.
For a photo ID appointment, it is imperative to remove any piercing or ring located on the face (lips, nose, eyebrows, ears, cheeks, forehead). Earrings are also prohibited. Failure to comply may result in the loss of the appointment.
Processing time and passport pickup
Once the biometric data is collected, the file is processed by SAIME’s central services in Caracas. The official timeframe mentioned for an ordinary passport ranges from 10 to 15 days, but feedback reports 3 to 4 month delays, depending on material shortages and the state of the system.
Tracking is done online, in the “Estado del trámite” section. Several statuses follow one another, from attending the appointment, to printing, packaging, until the mention “pasaporte enviado” and then “pasaporte entregado en oficina”. This last status indicates that the document has arrived at the chosen agency; it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours before going to pick it up.
When picking up the passport, you must present the national ID card (cédula) and the deposit or appointment receipt provided during the initial visit.
Procedures from abroad: a puzzle for the diaspora
For Venezuelans living abroad, the procedure is, in theory, similar: everything starts on the SAIME portal. In practice, things get complicated due to consulate closures, diplomatic tensions, and travel constraints.
The SAIME portal for “En el extranjero” applications
From abroad, the applicant logs into their SAIME account or creates one. In the “Pasaporte” menu, they select the “En el extranjero” option, then “Solicitud de pasaporte”. They then choose the relevant consular post from the dropdown list provided.
For Venezuelans living in the United States, the situation is particular: all Venezuelan diplomatic missions there are closed. Nationals must therefore choose the Venezuelan embassy in Mexico as the appointment location. This implies, for most, two trips to Mexico: one for biometric capture, and another—barring exceptional organization—to pick up the passport.
After filling out the form and uploading the required information, the user proceeds with the online payment according to the chosen duration rate (3, 5, or 10 years). The system generates a receipt that must be printed: it will be requested on the appointment day.
Documents to provide during the consular appointment
On the day of the appointment set by SAIME (the summons is sent by email, usually within a week of applying), the applicant appears at the chosen embassy or consulate, with all required originals and copies. The lack of even one document results in the procedure being postponed.
| Required Document | Original | Photocopy |
|---|---|---|
| SAIME Application Form (2 copies) | Yes | — |
| Passport photos Venezuelan format (2) | — | — |
| Cédula de Identidad | Yes | Yes |
| Birth Certificate | Yes | Yes |
| Current Passport (valid or expired) | Yes | Yes |
| Naturalization Certificate (if applicable) | Yes | Yes |
| Marriage, Divorce, or Death Certificate (if change in status) | Yes | Yes |
| Consular Registration Certificate | Yes | Yes |
| SAIME Online Payment Receipt | — | Yes |
In addition, payment of consular fees (generally 80 USD, or more depending on the post, converted to local currency at the prevailing rate) in cash or the required currency.
Consulates also often request a copy of the single consular registration, which can be done the same day.
Processing times and document pickup
After the appointment, the embassy or consulate transmits the biometric data and the file to SAIME in Caracas. The announced processing time is about eight weeks for production, plus shipping time to the consular post (often up to an additional fifteen days for destinations like the United States).
Tracking the file is always done via the “Estado del trámite” section of the SAIME account. The final status “pasaporte entregado en oficina” means the document has arrived at the consular post. Some consulates also publish lists of received passports on their website or social media, under the heading “Pasaportes y prórrogas recibidos.”
To pick up a document, the holder must appear in person with the receipt issued on the appointment day. Alternatives such as postal delivery or temporary consular tours may sometimes be offered, but they are not systematic. It is therefore essential to contact the competent post directly to check the available options.
Countries without functional Venezuelan consular services
Obtaining a passport is particularly tricky in several countries where Venezuelan consular services are suspended or severely reduced: Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, Peru, Uruguay. Following diplomatic tensions, Venezuelan authorities recalled their representatives and requested the reciprocal closure of these states’ representations in Caracas.
For Venezuelan nationals in these countries, a strict rule applies: if they apply for a new passport via a local consular post (when still possible), the document will not be issued on-site. Once manufactured, it must be picked up directly at SAIME in Caracas. In other words, the individuals concerned must plan a trip to the country solely to pick up their passport.
Failing that, some representations in Colombia may accept applications from nationals residing in third countries, but these arrangements are fluid and almost always involve travel to Colombia for biometric data capture.
Specific procedures for minors
Issuing a passport from the country of Venezuela to a minor is governed by a demanding protective regime. The application is made via the same SAIME portal, but a parent or legal representative must initiate the online procedure by selecting the “Menor de Edad” option.
Role of parents and mandatory presence
Whether the application is filed within the country or abroad, the strictest point concerns the presence of the parents during the appointment. By default, both parents—Venezuelan or foreign—must accompany the child with their identification documents. If one is absent, a specific authorization must be produced, the form of which varies depending on the situation:
Official documents required for a Venezuelan child to travel abroad without the presence of both parents or legal guardians.
Authorization issued by the Child Protection Council in Venezuela, acting as the competent authority.
Authorization notarized in Venezuela, which must expressly mention the competent Venezuelan consulate for its renewal abroad.
Authorization established abroad, which must be notarized and then apostilled (or legalized), also targeting the relevant Venezuelan consulate.
Authorization signed and fingerprinted directly before a consular officer at a Venezuelan consulate abroad.
Document from a court that has suspended the parental authority of one parent, sometimes dispensing with their authorization.
Without this authorization, the application will not be processed. A consent form for the issuance or pickup of the minor’s passport is often required, to be filled out and signed at the consulate.
Minors, even very young ones, must physically attend the appointment for the photo and fingerprint capture (depending on age). This step cannot in any case be delegated to a third party.
Waiver of consular fees for minors
Under Venezuelan legislation on consular service and the protection of children and adolescents, minors do not pay consular fees for passport issuance, although a filing cost through SAIME (rate of 150 USD for the 4-17 age group) remains. In practice, some consulates indicate zero cost on the consular side, but full payment is made via the SAIME platform.
Manufacturing times remain similar to those for adults: at least 3 to 6 months in some representations, due to transit between Caracas and diplomatic posts.
Civil status and identity documents to master
To avoid blockages, it is crucial to know the basic documents that support any application for a passport from the country of Venezuela.
The Cédula de Identidad
The national ID card (cédula), issued by SAIME, is the central identity document. Citizens and permanent residents have it (the latter with the notation “Extranjero” on a yellow background). Cards issued after 2012 incorporate a lamination film with the SAIME logo and patterns visible under black light; those produced from 2016 onward display a UV-reactive republican seal on the back.
For a passport application, the original cédula and a copy are almost always required.
The birth certificate and other civil status records
The birth certificate (“Partida de Nacimiento”) is issued by the Civil Registry or the National Electoral Council (CNE). It can be obtained in person or via the SAREN platform (Servicio Autónomo de Registros y Notarías). In the absence of a physical birth certificate, a so-called “Datos Filiatorios” attestation can be requested directly from SAIME.
Marriage and death certificates are registered by the Civil Registry or the CNE, and divorce decrees by civil courts of first instance. These documents are required for any passport renewal following a change in civil status, such as marriage, divorce, or widowhood.
For certain trips, especially when a minor leaves the country without both parents, a travel authorization issued by a notary or SAREN is essential. Similarly, the “Certificación de Antecedentes Penales,” issued free of charge for those over 18 by the Ministry of Interior and Justice, may be required for visa procedures in third countries.
Entering and leaving Venezuela: rules for citizens and dual nationals
From the point of view of Venezuelan authorities, the rule is simple but strict: a Venezuelan citizen, including in cases of dual nationality, must enter and leave the country with their Venezuelan passport. This obligation also applies to dual-national minors.
A Venezuelan national possessing a foreign passport must obligatorily present their Venezuelan passport at Venezuela’s borders. To leave the country, a minor accompanied by only one parent or a third party must have a travel authorization in addition to their passport.
The 2024 announcement prohibiting boarding with an expired passport or just a cédula further reinforces the importance of maintaining, as much as possible, a valid document or one covered by extension mechanisms (prórroga and the 2024 decree).
Where can you travel with a Venezuelan passport?
Beyond the application procedures, the question of the passport’s practical utility arises. According to the Henley Index, the document ranks in the middle of the world freedom of movement ranking, with, depending on the reference year, between 118 and 128 destinations accessible without a prior visa or with a visa on arrival.
Venezuelans can enter Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia with only their national ID card (cédula), but this facility is subject to political changes. Since 2017, many countries (Panama, Peru, Chile, Mexico, etc.) have reinstated visa requirements due to the migration crisis. Holding a valid visa or residence permit for the United States, Canada, the Schengen Area, Japan, or the United Kingdom can facilitate obtaining certain visas.
Starting in the last quarter of 2026, a significant evolution will concern travel to Europe: Venezuelans will need to apply online for an ETIAS authorization (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before any short stay in most European countries. ETIAS is not a visa, but a pre-authorization valid for three years (or until passport expiration) and allowing multiple stays of 90 days within 180. The announced cost is 7 euros, with exemptions for minors and those over 70.
A system under pressure: shortages, delays, and scandals
To understand why so many Venezuelans end up with an expired passport or one that is almost impossible to renew, it is necessary to recall the context of recent years. In 2016, out of 1.8 to 3 million applications, only about 300,000 passports were issued by SAIME, according to available figures. Shortages of security materials, production delays, and chronic failures of the online platform created a real bottleneck.
Testimonies report solicitation of bribes for passports, particularly for applicants abroad. An investigation revealed a scandal involving the sale of authentic Venezuelan passports to nationals of Middle Eastern countries via the embassy in Baghdad, for amounts ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 dollars. The government denied these accusations, but CNN en Español’s broadcast was interrupted shortly afterward in the country.
CNN investigation in 2017
This context partly explains the logic behind emergency measures like the prórroga or the 2024 decree on the automatic extension of validities.
Without replacing individualized legal advice, some guidelines emerge from the available data for anyone seeking to obtain or renew a Venezuelan passport.
First, it is best to anticipate as much as possible, especially when living abroad. Given processing times (eight weeks or more from the embassy in Mexico for U.S. residents, several months in some consulates), one should not wait until the last minute. Starting the procedure at least six months before a planned trip is minimal prudence.
It is crucial to check the consular situation in your country of residence, as Venezuelan services there may be suspended or reduced. This may require traveling to a neighboring country (like Colombia) or planning a return to Venezuela to pick up the document.
It is also important to gather, from the start, all necessary civil status documents, in updated versions: birth, marriage, or divorce certificates, cédula, previous passport. The slightest inconsistency—unjustified name change, outdated civil status—can cause blockages or requests for additional information.
For families where one parent resides abroad, anticipate the procedures related to parental authorizations. Obtaining a notarized and apostilled power of attorney can be a lengthy process. An alternative is to apply for the children’s passports during a temporary stay in Venezuela, provided you can stay for the entire duration of the administrative procedure.
Finally, the issue of international acceptance of extended passports or those automatically extended by decree remains a moving target. Before any trip, it is recommended to consult the official websites of the destination country, as well as airline information, to ensure the document will actually be recognized.
In summary
The Venezuelan passport is today at the heart of the trajectories of millions of Venezuelans, whether they live in Caracas, Madrid, Bogotá, or Miami. It is a biometric document, subject to an arsenal of internal rules (mandatory use for any entry and exit from the territory, obligation to travel with a valid document) and often burdensome administrative practices.
Faced with the complexity of SAIME’s online procedures, paid express services, extensions (prórrogas), the major automatic extension of 2024, and the varying requirements of host countries, the essential thing is to prepare well. One must understand how the system works, gather the required documents, and carefully follow the official announcements from SAIME and foreign authorities.
This guide does not replace these official sources, but offers a comprehensive framework to better understand, step by step, the path to obtaining, extending, or getting recognition for a passport from the country of Venezuela in an increasingly complex migration environment.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
