How to seek asylum for Venezuelans

To seek asylum in any country Venezuelans will follow these three or four steps.

Asylum application
Substantive Interview
Decision on refugee status
Appeals

Each country is different and it gives different rights to Venezuelan asylum seekers. Please read more below.

According to UNHRC, some people of Venezuela are leaving their country. They are doing so due to an increase in violence, insecurity and threats. Also, there are facing a lack of food, medicine and essential services. So, if you have moved out from Venezuela, in this post, we are sharing the information about how you can seek/apply for Asylum Protection. In case you are from Venezuela.

Regardless of which country you are heading to, you must count, as far as possible, at least with some of the following documents:

Citizenship card, identity card and or passport duly stamped by migration authorities (recommended for a minimum period of 6 months).
Certificate of criminal or disciplinary background. In Peru the certificate of antecedents is not required, instead an INTERPOL certificate must be processed in that country to process the Temporary Permit of Permanence (PTP).
If you are traveling with minors and both parents are not present (father or mother traveling alone with the child), you must take the authorization to leave signed by the father or mother. Take at least two originals or several copies of it.

Remember that all documents should be current, in good condition and must be legalized, or apostilled, in your country or the closest consulate. But at the same time, ask for information in the country where you are going on how you can get support even if you don’t have the required documents.

Countries with most Venezuelans

Many people from Venezuela are shifting to these countries in big numbers. Venezuelans can seek asylum in this country if they want or obtain some anyway some regular resident permit.

Chile

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have moved to Chile in the last few years. Some thousands of Venezuelans have sought asylum in Chile.

Venezuelans do need a visa to go to Chile. They can get a “democratic responsibility visa”.

Peru

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have moved to Peru in the last few years. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have sought asylum in Peru.

Venezuelans do need a visa to go to Peru.

United States – US

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have sought asylum in the US.

Venezuelans do need a visa to go to the US.

Colombia

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have moved to Colombia in the last few years. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have sought asylum in Colombia.

Venezuelans do not need a visa to go to Colombia. Colombia is visa-free for Venezuelan citizens.

Argentina

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have moved to Argentina in the last few years. Thousands of Venezuelans have sought asylum in Argentina.

Venezuelans do not need a visa to go to Argentina. Argentina is visa-free for Venezuelan citizens.

Ecuador

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have moved to Ecuador in the last few years. Thousands of Venezuelans have sought asylum in Ecuador.

Venezuelans do need a visa to go to Ecuador. They can get online an Ecuador visa.

Brazil

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have moved to Brazil in the last few years. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have sought asylum in Brazil.

Venezuelans do not need a visa to go to Brazil. Brazil is visa-free for Venezuelan citizens.

Panama

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have moved to Panama in the last few years. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have sought asylum in Panama.

Venezuelans do need a visa to go to Panama.

Mexico

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have moved to Mexico in the last few years. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have sought asylum in Mexico.

Venezuelans do need a visa to go to Mexico.

Uruguay

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have moved to Uruguay in the last few years. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have sought asylum in Uruguay.

Venezuelans do not need a visa to go to Uruguay. Uruguay is visa-free for Venezuelan citizens.

Trinidad and Tobago

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have moved to Mexico in the last few years. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have sought asylum in Trinidad and Tobago. Venezuelans do need a visa to go to Trinidad and Tobago.

Thousands of Venezuelans have moved, and or sought asylum to other countries like the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Canada, Paraguay and Curacao. Bolivia and Paraguay are visa-free for Venezuelan citizens.

Each country has a different process for people to seek asylum but it can be summarised in three or four steps.

Asylum application
Substantive Interview
Decision on refugee status
Appeals

Asylum application

You apply for asylum at the border, airport, or a local migration agency. You can present evidence that identifies you and supports your case. Each adult individual of your family normally have to do an asylum application. In some countries, you also have a short screening interview.

Substantive Interview

You have an interview with a local official about why you are seeking asylum. You can present more evidence that supports your case. You can have a translator present.

Decision on refugee status

You receive a positive or negative decision on your refugee status. Usually, this gives the same rights and help as local citizens.

Appeals

If you are unhappy with a negative decision, you can appeal at a local court. You can have multiple appeals depending on the country.

What countries can Venezuelans visit without visa?

Holders of Venezuelan passports can enter nations like the Philippines, Singapore, Russia, Turkey, and the entire European Union without a visa and with one upon arrival. However, over 108 countries throughout the world require a visa for entry for Venezuelan nationals. China, India, and the USA are a few of the nations that demand a visa.

Source: UN Agency for Refugees (UNHCR)

The cover image is somewhere in Maracay, Venezuela. Photo by Jorge Saavedra on Unsplash

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