With effect from Monday 18th May 2009, Venezuelan citizens who wish to visit or transit the United Kingdom will require a UK visa unless they hold a biometric, machine-readable passport containing an electronic chip (issued since 2007).

Already, nationals from Venezuela need a visa to work, study or settle in the UK, as do all non European Economic Area (EEA) nationals. Under the new rules, Venezuelan visitors who have the new biometric passports issued since 2007, containing an electronic chip, will continue to be permitted visa-free access to the UK for short visits of up to 6 months. Only Venezuelans travelling with old-style passports, without an electronic chip, will require a visa to travel to the UK, whatever the purpose or duration of their stay.

The same conditions apply to anyone wishing to travel from Venezuela via the UK en route to a third country. Venezuelans travelling with old-style passports will need a transit visa. The only exception to this requirement is for Venezuelans holding a new biometric, machine-readable passport.

The changes result from a world-wide review of their current visa regimes, called the Visa Waiver Test, undertaken by the UK Government.  Based on an objective assessment of the risks to the UK border, the Visa Waiver Test has been an impartial review of the way we judge whether a certain nationality requires a visa. The Venezuelan Government have been engaged in this process and we are grateful for their co-operation. We look forward to continued co-operation between the British and the Venezuelan governments on migration issues.

Catherine Royle, Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Venezuela, said: “We are very keen to maintain close and friendly relations between our nations, and will continue to welcome Venezuelans with legitimate reasons for visiting the United Kingdom. Our aim is to provide a first class service for all travellers".

www.ukinvenezuela.fco.gov.uk/es