Routine visa services at the U.S. mission in Caracas have been suspended indefinitely as tension between the United States and Venezuela rises. Foreign nationals requiring visa services, including immigrant and nonimmigrant, may be able to obtain U.S. visas by traveling to another country and applying as a third country national. However, travelers should be aware that some countries will not accept foreign national applications, and some will only accept under certain circumstances. It is recommended that applicants contact the embassy ahead of travelling to make sure.
The move comes as tensions increase between the United States and President Nicolás Maduro’s government. After the United States formally recognized Juan Guaidó as the interim leader of Venezuela, President Maduro to cut diplomatic ties with the United States and ordered U.S. diplomatic personnel to leave the country. The U.S. government has already ordered non-emergency government employees to depart the country. Limited emergency services to U.S. citizens remain available at the U.S. mission for the time being.
