Around 10 million Americans live outside US borders. Many of those people found a home in Latin America, and Venezuela is one of the countries people choose to move to. But moving to Venezuela is not all about packing your boxes and booking an international moving company. There are more things you need to know before you head off to this amazing country.
Living overseas has never been easier, and more and more people decide to take this step and relocate to another place. But even if you relocate to the friendliest country in the world, you will still need to learn how to live abroad and to prepare yourself the best way possible, from acquiring all the documents required for traveling to finding a place to live and a job. But if you gather all the information and start planning on time, your relocation stress will be minimal. When moving to Venezuela from the US be prepared to meet an exciting mix of cultures from all around the world. Thousands of expats have chosen to embark on this adventure and start calling this wonderful place home. Here is all you need to know about immigration to Venezuela.
Paperwork You Need When Moving to Venezuela?
Located on the northern coast of Latin America, the nation’s official name is the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Its capital is Caracas, and the official language is Spanish. And over the years, this amazing place has become a new home to numerous expats from around the globe. So how can foreigners live in Venezuela? The drill is the same as if you are relocating to Argentina or any other destination in the world – it can be done with proper documentation.
So if you wonder can an American live in Venezuela, the answer is yes. US citizens can enter with a tourist visa valid for one year and stay a max of 90 days per entry. Here is the guide to all the papers you need:
- Passport must be valid for a minimum of six more months before you enter the state
- Photos that meet the government’s requirements,
- Employment proof,
- Travel arrangements,
- House or asset ownership proof,
- Fill out the Application Form.
Bear in mind that visas are not available upon your arrival, so you must start this process at least three months before your traveling date.
How to Get a Permanent Residency in the Bolivarian Republic?
When moving overseas, obtaining permanent residency is usually of utmost importance. This status will make a lot of things easier, and most expats who decide to live here tend to get one. So let’s see how it works here.
For starters, there is no permanent residency as such. It is just called residency, or residencia in Spanish, and has to be renewed every five years. With this status, you will have all rights except the right to vote (it is similar to a Green Card in the US.) Here you will also have an identification card with your name, address, and status written there. It is called a cédula or national identity card.
How to Get Venezuelan Citizenship and Do Americans Need Work Permits?
Living in another country with residency will make your life easy, but obtaining citizenship will make it even better. You can become Venezuelan after having lived legally there for ten years. Citizenship can also be obtained by marriage, birth, and nationalization proof.
On the other hand, if you wish to work in the Bolivarian Republic, you will have to get a work permit. You will have to start this process before your arrival. Basically, you will have to get a job before your move, and one of the most important questions to ask your employer is to send you a Business Introduction Letter. With this and a passport, you will have to apply for a visa at the nearest consulate. You will have to renew your work permit every year, and after five years of working and living there, you can apply for residency.
Pick a Place to Call Home and Choose Among the Finest Cities in the Bolivarian Republic – Find Out All About Housing Options
After landing on the shores of today’s Bolivarian Republic in the 15 century, Christopher Columbus (or Cristobal Colon, as he is known locally) was amazed by the beautiful nature he encountered and named it Heaven on Earth. Now, though abundant with wild and untouched landscapes, the country is still one of the most urban Latin American countries. Finding a city to call home will be easy. And best of all – connecting with expat communities won’t be difficult, since every city has one. Here are the most popular choices for expats:
- Caracas is the national capital and largest city. It’s a bustling metropolis with a bad reputation as one of the most dangerous cities globally. Still, if you gather some street smarts and info before relocating there, you can find safe areas to live in. The country’s biggest employers, such as Petróleos de Venezuela and the stock exchange, are located there. Maybe the city is not considered to be one of the best places to live with family, but your housing options will be pretty cheap as you can rent a three-bedroom in the city center for $600.
- Isla Margarita – If you are thinking about the best places in Europe to retire, then think again, why not retire to a warm and affordable island. That is right. On the nation’s largest island, Isla Margarita is one of the most desirable places to retire. It has more than 50 white sandy beaches and 320 days of sunshine. Expats love this place because it is developed and has everything you need, from modern malls to golf courses.
- Mérida -This city sits on the feet of the Andes, and it is the starting point for many adventure-seeking people – many viewing trips to Los Llanos begin here. It is a safe and affordable place, and it is excellent for people who want to live in a vibrant and yet cultural city.
Is Venezuela a Good Place to Live? For Starters, the Cost of Living is Low
Relocating overseas without planning your budget can be tricky. For example, if you relocate to Dubai or maybe to France without enough savings, you can end up broke pretty fast. On the other hand, relocation to Brazil or some other South American state can easily be done without any savings. The cost of living here is so affordable that you can live a whole week with just a couple of backs. Monthly life expenditures for a family of four are around $200 on average.
The gas is probably the cheapest in the world – $0.04 per gallon. If you plan to ship your car, you will not have to worry about driving on the left or right side of the road like you would if you are relocating to the UK, but you will have to think about bad driving. You will feel like you have relocated to India or Thailand – driving is chaotic, but with little adjustment you will soon learn how to drive like locals.
Get a Private Health Insurance
The healthcare system in the state is free and it is available for everyone. On the other hand if you are not keen to wait in long lines to get necessary care, consider getting private insurance. With private international health insurance, you will be covered and get the best services without a lot of waiting.
International Moving to Venezuela – All the Things to Know Before You Head Off
Aside from the fact that it is in an economic and political crisis, it is still a nice place to make a living. It has a fantastic nature and friendly people. The culture is a mix of Native American, Spanish, and African cultures. But in recent years, it has been a host to a considerable number of immigrants, so you will see a lot of influence from Italian, Portuguese, and Arabian cultures as well. If you are a food lover, you should try an Arepa dish created by pre-Columbian Timoto–Cuica culture. Arepas are sandwiches filled with meat, cheese, and beans, usually served for breakfast.
The Women Are Beautiful Too
Maybe the life standards here will not be the same as if you are relocating to Sweden, but the beauty of Venezuelan women will make you forget all about it. And this is not only our opinion – it is official. This nation had six Miss World and seven Miss Universe winners. And while Americans moving to Venezuela will have nothing against a friendly kiss on the cheek from a beautiful woman, it can be strange when coming from men. But don’t be alarmed, their friendly gestures will be the first cultural shock you will experience, but soon you will get used to it.
You Will Enjoy the Most Beautiful Scenery
No matter where you decide to settle, you will enjoy some of the world’s most unique natural beauty. Whether it is sandy beaches, mountains, forests, or waterfalls, here you will find the most amazing sights. The world’s tallest waterfall, Angel Falls, is located here.
the Bolivarian Republic has one of the most diverse flora and fauna too, and 50% of amphibians and 23% of all reptiles are endemic species. And while we are at natural wonders, you should check out the world’s most electric place at Lake Maracaibo, where you can see lightning flashes up to 28 in a minute. It is called an “everlasting storm.”
But don’t worry – the climate is generally warm, with temperatures between 79F and 82F. It is all nice year-round weather, so when thinking about what to pack, light coats, jeans, dresses, and shorts are pretty much suitable for all parts of the territory.
Start Your Spanish Course Right Now and Book an Overseas Shipping Company
So can you move to Venezuela? Well, yes, but you will nonetheless have to make a lot of relocation preparations. First thing first, you will have to start your Spanish lessons, so you don’t struggle to break the language barrier upon your arrival. Of course, you can learn the language once you relocate, but it would be good to at least cover some basics before moving abroad.
The next thing you need to do is to hire an overseas moving company for shipping overseas. If you don’t hire movers for packing service, ask them for advice and help to properly pack and protect your belongings for overseas shipping (there will be a lot of moisture and humidity.) The other option is to take shipping by air. It is a bit expensive, but considering that you are relocating to a place where you can live like a king for a couple of bucks, why not spend a little more money to make moving internationally as comfortable as possible.
