March 12, 2010 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Venezuela is a medium income country whose economy is dominated

March 12, 2010 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Venezuela is a medium income country whose economy is dominated by a substantial oil industry. The political climate american airlines confirmation of tickets in Venezuela is highly polarized and volatile. Violent crime is a serious problem, and the capital city of Caracas has been cited as having one of the highest american airlines confirmation of tickets per capita homicide rates in the world. Kidnappings, assaults and robberies occur throughout the country. american airlines confirmation of tickets Scheduled american airlines confirmation of tickets air service and all-weather roads connect major cities and most regions of the country. Venezuela s tourism infrastructure varies in quality according to location and price. For an in depth country description of Venezuela, please read the Department of State Background Notes on Venezuela. Back to Top REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens american airlines confirmation of tickets living or traveling in Venezuela are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State s travel registration page in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration american airlines confirmation of tickets is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency. Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State s list of embassies and consulates. U.S. Embassy Caracas Calle Suapure and Calle F Colinas de Valle Arriba Caracas, Venezuela Telephone: 58-212-975-6411 Emergency after-hours telephone: 58-212-907-8400 Facsimile: 58-212-907-8199 Back to Top ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: american airlines confirmation of tickets A valid passport and a visa or tourist card are required. Tourist cards are issued on flights from the U.S. to Venezuela for persons staying less than ninety days. Visit the Embassy of Venezuela web site for the most current visa information. Venezuelan immigration authorities may require that U.S. passports have at least six months validity remaining from the date of arrival in Venezuela. Some U.S. citizens have been turned back to the United States because their passports were to expire in less than six months. Passports should also be in good condition, as some U.S. citizens have been delayed or detained overnight for having otherwise valid passports in poor condition. U.S. citizens residing in Venezuela should be careful to obtain legitimate Venezuelan documentation appropriate to their status. There have been numerous cases of U.S. citizens who, having employed intermediaries, received what they believed to be valid Venezuelan resident visas and work permits. They were subsequently arrested and charged with possessing fraudulent Venezuelan documentation. SAIME, the Venezuelan government agency responsible for immigration documents, has informed american airlines confirmation of tickets the Embassy that the only valid resident visas are those for which the bearer has personally signed at SAIME headquarters in Caracas. Venezuelan law requires Venezuelan citizens to enter and depart Venezuela american airlines confirmation of tickets using Venezuelan passports and Venezuelan immigration authorities are increasingly enforcing this requirement. In order to comply with U.S. and Venezuelan law, persons who hold dual American-Venezuelan nationality must plan to travel between Venezuela and the United States with valid U.S. and Venezuelan passports. Please see our information on dual nationality for entry and exit requirements pertaining to dual nationals. Venezuela's child protection law mandates that minors (under 18) who are citizens or non-citizen residents of Venezuela and who are traveling alone, with only one parent, or with a third party, must present a copy of their birth certificate and written, notarized authorization from the absent parent(s) american airlines confirmation of tickets or legal guardian, specifically granting american airlines confirmation of tickets permission to travel alone, with one parent, or with a third party. This authorization must reflect the precise date and time of the travel, including flight american airlines confirmation of tickets and/or other pertinent information. Without this authorization, immigration authorities will prevent the child's american airlines confirmation of tickets departure american airlines confirmation of tickets from Venezuela. The Venezuelan Government no longer recognizes blanket or non-specific american airlines confirmation of tickets travel authorizations. When a parent is deceased, a notarized copy of the death certificate is required in lieu of the written authorization. If documents are prepared in the United States, the authorization and the birth certificate must be translated into Spanish, notarized, and authenticated by the Venezuela Embassy or a Venezuelan consulate in the United States. If documents are prepared in Venezuela, only notarization by a Venezuelan notary is required. A permission letter prepared outside Venezuela is valid for 90 days. A permission letter american airlines confirmation of tickets prepared in Venezuela is valid for 60 days. Travelers entering Venezuela from certain countries are required to have a current yellow fever vaccination american airlines confirmation of tickets certificate. The Venezuelan Ministry american airlines confirmation of tickets of Health recommends the Yellow Fever vaccine for those travelers departing Venezuela, whose final destination american airlines confirmation of tickets is a country that requires that vaccine. This vaccine needs to be given at least 10 days prior to travel. Yellow Fever vaccine american airlines confirmation of tickets is effective for 10 years so travelers should check their shot records to be sure they are updated as needed. In addition, per the Venezuelan Ministry of Health, travelers should american airlines confirmation of tickets carry their International Certificate of Vaccination (or yellow card) with them, as they may be asked to present it upon arrival or departure. Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are also common in some areas and travelers should take precautions american airlines confirmation of tickets to prevent infection. An exit tax and airport fee must be paid when departing american airlines confirmation of tickets Venezuela by airline. In many instances, american airlines confirmation of tickets especially with non-U.S. airlines, the exit tax and airport fee are not included in the airline ticket price and must be paid separately at the airport upon departure. At present, American Airlines does include both fees in the ticket price. Authorities usually require that payment be made in local currency. Both the departure tax and the airport fee are subject to change with little american airlines confirmation of tickets notice. Travelers should check with their airlines for the latest information. For current information concerning entry, tax, and customs requirements american airlines confirmation of tickets for Venezuela, travelers may contact the Venezuelan Embassy at 1099 30th Street, NW, Washington DC 20007, tel.: (202) 342-2214, or visit the Embassy of Venezuela web site. Travelers american airlines confirmation of tickets may also contact the Venezuelan consulates in Boston,Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, or San Juan. The U.S. Department american airlines confirmation of tickets of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Venezuela. Information american airlines confirmation of tickets about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information american airlines confirmation of tickets about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page. Back to Top SAFETY AND SECURITY: Violent crime in Venezuela is pervasive, both in the capital, Caracas, and in the interior. The country s overall per capita murder rate is cited as one of the top five in the world. The Venezuelan National Counter Kidnapping Commission was created in 2006, and since then, official statistics have shown alarming increases in reported kidnappings american airlines confirmation of tickets throughout the country. In fact, kidnappings in 2009 have increased anywhere from 40-60 percent from the previous year. Surveys show that the overwhelming majority of kidnappings and other major crimes are not reported to the police. Armed robberies take place throughout the city, including areas generally presumed safe and frequented by tourists. Well-armed criminal gangs operate widely, often setting up fake police checkpoints. Only a very small percentage of crimes result in trials and convictions. Travel to and from Maiquetía Airport, the international airport serving Caracas, can be dangerous, and corruption at the airport itself is rampant. Both arriving american airlines confirmation of tickets and departing travelers, including foreigners, american airlines confirmation of tickets have been victims of personal american airlines confirmation of tickets property theft and muggings in the airport. The Embassy american airlines confirmation of tickets has received multiple, credible reports american airlines confirmation of tickets that individuals wearing what appear to be official uniforms or other credentials are involved in facilitating or perpetrating these crimes. For this reason, American citizen american airlines confirmation of tickets travelers should be wary of all strangers, even those in official uniform or carrying official identification, and should not pack valuable items or documents in checked luggage. Valuable documents and personal items should american airlines confirmation of tickets be kept in carry-on luggage. The Embassy has also received multiple, credible reports of victims of express kidnappings occurring at the airport, in which individuals are taken to make purchases or to withdraw as much money as possible from ATMs, often at gunpoint. In addition, the Embassy has received reports american airlines confirmation of tickets of uniformed airport officials attempting to extort money from travelers, including U.S. citizens, as they go through the normal check-in and boarding american airlines confirmation of tickets process for departing flights. Furthermore, there are known drug trafficking groups working from the airport. Travelers should not accept packages from anyone and should keep their luggage with them at all times. american airlines confirmation of tickets The road between Maiquetía Airport and Caracas is known to be particularly american airlines confirmation of tickets dangerous. Visitors traveling this route at night have been kidnapped and held captive for ransom in roadside huts that line the highway. Because of the frequency of robberies at gunpoint, travelers are encouraged to arrive american airlines confirmation of tickets and depart only during daylight hours. If not, travelers should use extra care both within and outside the airport. The Embassy strongly advises that all arriving passengers make advance plans for transportation from the airport to their place of lodging. If possible, travelers should arrange to be picked american airlines confirmation of tickets up at the airport by someone who is known to them or at least try to caravan in known groups en route to Caracas. Travelers should be aware of chokepoints american airlines confirmation of tickets inside tunnels and avoid obstacles in the road. The Embassy has received frequent reports american airlines confirmation of tickets of armed robberies in taxicabs going to and from the air