On October 12, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new process for Venezuelans. In short, this is a program that may provide lawful status for two years to those who arrive by plane under established procedures and the immediate return of most of those who attempt to cross the border through Mexico without the proper procedures. USCIS began implementing this new process on October 18, 2022.
This new process, called “Process for Venezuelans” will allow for lawful entry to nationals of Venezuela who are outside the United States and do not currently have a U.S. visa to come to the United States. This program consists of a fully online process where individuals can be considered, on a case-by-case basis, for advance parole or authorization to travel to the United States and seek a temporary period of parole for up to two years, as long as they meet the following requirements:
Have a supporter in the United States who will provide financial and other support;
Undergo and clear robust security vetting;
Meet other eligibility criteria; and
Warrant a favorable exercise of discretion.
DHS has requested that Venezuelans that do not have and are not eligible to obtain a U.S. visa to seek entry via this process, as this will be the safest and most effective way to pursue a temporary stay in the United States.
Please have in mind the following requirements for all applicants:
Be a national of Venezuela or be an immediate family member of an eligible Venezuelan and traveling with them;
Have a passport valid for international travel;
Be outside the United States;
Have a U.S.-based supporter who filed a Form I-134 on their behalf that USCIS has vetted and confirmed;
Provide for their own commercial travel to a U.S. airport and final U.S. destination;
Not be a permanent resident or dual national of any country other than Venezuela, and not currently hold refugee status in any country;
Not be an unaccompanied child (children under the age of 18 must be traveling to the United States in the care and custody of their parent or legal guardian).
Not have been ordered removed from the United States within the past 5 years or be subject to a bar based on a prior removal order;
Not have crossed irregularly into the United States, between ports of entry, after Oct. 19, 2022;
Not have unlawfully crossed the Mexican or Panamanian borders after Oct. 19, 2022; and
Comply with all additional requirements, including vaccination requirements and other public health guidelines.
This is an electronic process that does not require the applicants to approach the Mexico or Canada border to apply. If there are any Venezuelans who attempt to cross the United States between ports of entry illegally, they will be subject to return to Mexico and, as result, they will be ineligible for this process.
The process is entirely free. Neither the supporter nor the beneficiary are required to pay the U.S. government any fee for the application.
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