Venezuela entry requirements for Zambia passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 31, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Zambian passport holders must get a visa before traveling to Venezuela. Apply at a Venezuelan embassy — there is no visa on arrival or e-visa. Processing can take several weeks, so plan ahead.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa application
Apply at Venezuelan embassy or consulate
Zambian passport holders need a visa before traveling to Venezuela. Submit your application at the nearest Venezuelan embassy or consulate — there is no eVisa option. Processing takes 5–15 business days depending on the consulate.Find embassy infoRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay
Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining from your date of entry into Venezuela. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Required for entry
Immigration officers at Maiquetía Airport routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return flight or a ticket to your next destination ready.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or invitation letter
Carry a hotel reservation confirmation for your entire stay. If staying with friends or family, bring a notarized letter of invitation from your host in Venezuela.Recommended
Proof of funds
Bank statements or cash
Have bank statements from the last 3 months showing sufficient funds for your trip. Some travelers report being asked how they will support themselves — $50–$100 per day is a safe benchmark.Recommended
No visa on arrival
Zambian passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival or an e-visa for Venezuela. You must apply at a Venezuelan embassy before you travel. Plan ahead — processing can take weeks.
Embassy in Pretoria
Since there is no Venezuelan embassy in Zambia, the nearest option is the embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Check their website for appointment booking and document requirements.

What happens at the border

1
Contact the Venezuelan embassy
Find the Venezuelan embassy or consulate in your country. Check their website for visa application requirements, fees, and appointment booking. Most embassies require you to apply in person.
2
Prepare your documents
Gather your passport (valid 6+ months), completed application form, passport photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, bank statements, and any other documents the embassy requests. Make copies of everything.
3
Submit your application
Attend your appointment at the embassy. Pay the visa fee (usually around $30–$100 USD, depending on nationality and visa type). Processing can take 2–4 weeks, sometimes longer.
4
Collect your visa
Once approved, collect your passport with the visa sticker. Check the validity dates and any restrictions (e.g., single entry vs. multiple entry).
5
Arrive in Venezuela
At the airport, proceed to immigration. Have your passport, visa, return ticket, and hotel booking ready. The officer may ask about your purpose of visit and length of stay.
Download Venezuela Entry Checklist
PDF · Zambia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 31, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost$30 USD

Standard tourist visa for single entry.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost$60 USD

Allows multiple entries within validity.

Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for single-entry tourist visa.$30 USD (approx. 600 ZMW)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period.$60 USD (approx. 1,200 ZMW)
Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap of $100 USD.$2 USD per day (approx. 40 ZMW)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documentation20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Venezuela

Transit visa required

Zambia passport holders need a transit visa to change planes in Venezuela, even if staying airside.

Transit hubsSimón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) · Arturo Michelena International Airport (VLN)

Health & vaccines for Venezuela

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, etc.)Essential
Health risks
DengueHigh risk

Mosquito-borne disease prevalent in urban and rural areas.

MalariaModerate risk

Risk in some rural areas, especially Amazon region.

ChikungunyaModerate risk

Mosquito-borne virus with outbreaks reported.

Malaria risk: moderate

Risk in rural areas, especially Amazonas and Bolívar states. Prophylaxis recommended for those areas.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Caracas
SAIME (Servicio Administrativo de Identificación, Migración y Extranjería)
Av. Urdaneta, Esq. de Platanal, Edif. SAIME, Caracas
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00

Main immigration office for visa extensions and permits.

Maracaibo
SAIME Regional Maracaibo
Calle 77, Edif. SAIME, Maracaibo, Zulia
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00

Regional office for western Venezuela.

Practical information for ZM travellers

Country basics
CapitalCaracas
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyVenezuelan bolívar (VES)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 554.43 VES
updated May 31
Time zone
Local timeUTC-4
vs New York+1h
vs Los Angeles+4h
Electricity
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BTypes A and B: two flat pins (ungrounded) and two flat pins with round grounding pin.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police911
Medical911
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No. There is no visa on arrival for Zambian citizens. You must obtain a visa from a Venezuelan embassy before travelling.
Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, but can be longer depending on the embassy and time of year. Apply at least 6 weeks before your planned departure.
Visa fees vary by embassy and visa type. Expect to pay between $30 and $100 USD. Check with the embassy for the exact amount and accepted payment methods.
The embassy may ask for recent bank statements or proof of sufficient funds for your stay. It's not always required, but it's wise to have them ready.
Extensions are not available for tourist visa holders. You must leave before your visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines or deportation.
You will be denied entry and sent back on the next available flight. Airlines may also refuse to let you board without a valid visa.
Venezuela does not have an embassy in Zambia. You will need to apply at the nearest Venezuelan embassy, which is in Pretoria, South Africa. Contact them for application details.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 31, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.