I finally got around to ordering a new Venezuelan passport, so I thought I’d share my experience here. I mean, it’s not every day you get to navigate the bureaucratic maze of official documents, right?
First off, I had to make sure I even needed a new one. Turns out, having dual nationality doesn’t get you off the hook. Article 7 clearly states that if you’re Venezuelan, you gotta use your Venezuelan passport to enter and leave the country. Mine was about to expire, so time to get on it.
Gathering all the necessary paperwork. I started by digging through the Venezuelan Constitution to find the general requirements, which are outlined in articles 32 and 33. It’s all pretty standard stuff, but you need to make sure you check all the boxes.

- Checked my current passport’s expiration date.
- Located articles 32 and 33 of the Constitution.
- Made a list of all the required documents.
Next, I hit up the Venezuelan consulate’s website. They had all the information I needed. I found the application form and got that filled out. It was mostly straightforward, but there were a few sections that made me scratch my head. I mean, who keeps track of all their entry and exit stamps?
After getting the form sorted, I scheduled an appointment online. This was surprisingly easy. I picked a date and time, and boom, confirmation email in my inbox. I felt pretty accomplished at this point, like I was actually making progress.
On the day of the appointment, I arrived at the consulate, armed with all my documents. The waiting room was packed, but things moved along quicker than I expected. When my number was called, I went up to the counter, handed over my papers, and answered a few questions. The official was actually pretty chill, which was a relief.
They took my photo and fingerprints, then told me the processing time would be around eight weeks. Eight weeks! But hey, at least it’s moving. They also mentioned that shipping times can vary, from a few days to 15 extra days for the US. That part made me a bit nervous, but what can you do?
I paid the fees, got my receipt, and walked out feeling like I’d just run a marathon. Now it’s just a waiting game. I’ll keep you guys posted on how long it actually takes to arrive. Hopefully, I’ll have my shiny new passport in hand before I need to travel.
One thing I found interesting is that they’ve extended the validity of passports. Apparently, according to some decree from June 25, 2024, passports issued before that date are valid for ten years beyond the expiration date or the last extension. That’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask me.
Final Thoughts
So, that’s my saga of ordering a Venezuelan passport. It’s a bit of a process, but it’s doable. Just make sure you’ve got all your documents in order and plenty of patience. Wish me luck on the shipping time!