Venezuela: Information on whether a person with a valid passport can lose the right to renew the passport, right of citizenship, and the right of return if they have been non-residents for five or more years
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | VEN16484.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Venezuela: Information on whether a person with a valid passport can lose the right to renew the passport, right of citizenship, and the right of return if they have been non-residents for five or more years, 1 March 1994, VEN16484.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aaed7.html [accessed 9 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
An official of the Embassy of Venezuela stated that Venezuelan citizens are at risk of losing their citizenship, and hence the right to renew their passports and the right of return if they remain outside of the country for a period of more than five years (29 March 1994). The official stated that in order to avoid losing one's citizenship after a five-year absence, the individual must contact a Venezuelan consulate and request that the validity of their passport be extended. The source stated that consulates are authorized to extend the validity of the passport for a further five years meaning that a person could be absent for a period of up to ten years.
However, the source stressed that in order to avoid losing one's citizenship, an individual granted such an extension must return to Venezuela within this period of time. He stated that if the person does not return to Venezuela during this period, or, if the individual fails to apply for an extension in the first place, citizenship can be revoked.
For additional information, please refer to the attached document.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Embassy of Venezuela, Ottawa. 29 March 1994. Telephone interview with official.
Attachment
Flanz, Gisbert H. April 1983. "Venezuela," Constitutions of the Countries of the World. Edited by Albert P. Blaustein and Gisbert H. Flanz. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications, p. 7-8.
