Visa de Transeunte Inversionista (TR-I)

Venezuela's Visa de Transeunte Inversionista (TR-I) grants temporary residence to foreign nationals or representatives of foreign companies who have made and registered a productive investment in the country. Established under the Ley de Extranjeria y Migracion (Gaceta Oficial No. 37.944, 24 May 2004), the visa is administered by SAIME domestically and by Venezuelan consular missions abroad, with consular visa policy coordinated by the Ministry of Popular Power for Foreign Affairs (MPPRE). Foreign investment is qualified by the Ministry of Popular Power for Economy, Finance and Foreign Trade (MPPEF); under the current procedure the investor must obtain a Certificado de Inversionista processed through the Ventanilla Unica de Comercio Exterior (VUCE) before the visa can be issued.

• Productive investment materialised in Venezuela, evidenced by a Certificado de Inversionista processed through the Ventanilla Unica de Comercio Exterior (VUCE)
• Investor must hold at least 20% of the company's share capital
• Investment must generate economic impact in Venezuela (residential real estate purchases do not qualify)
• Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity
• Descriptive letter and supporting documentation of the investment (carta descriptiva y documentos de respaldo)
• Official medical certificate issued by the health authority of the country of origin
• Criminal background certificate from country of origin or residence for the past 5 years, apostilled and translated into Spanish
• For legal representatives: an apostilled power of attorney and the company's founding documents
• Completed visa application form
• Proof of payment of the consular fee

• The visa is tied to the registered investment
• Holder may manage or work within the investment enterprise but cannot take general employment with unrelated Venezuelan employers
• Investment must be productive, not purely residential real estate

The visa is valid for 3 years with multiple entries and no limit on stay within that period. Before expiry, the holder may apply through SAIME for an extension of up to 2 additional years. After the extension expires, the holder may apply for permanent resident (residente) status, which is valid for 5 years.

The applicant first materialises the investment in Venezuela and obtains a Certificado de Inversionista through the Ventanilla Unica de Comercio Exterior (VUCE), the single-window foreign-trade portal that now channels the investment qualification previously handled directly by SIEX/MPPEF. Applications are then submitted through Venezuelan embassies and consulates abroad, either in person or by postal mail depending on the consulate. Visa issuance requires authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MPPRE) in coordination with the investment authorities, and the visa must be collected in person. Processing has historically taken about 10 business days after receipt of complete documentation. The consular fee is set per consulate (arancel consular); current official pages direct applicants to confirm the amount with the relevant mission (some consulates have historically charged the equivalent of USD/EUR 60) and it is non-refundable.

Upon entering Venezuela, the holder must register with SAIME within 30 days and receives a cedula de identidad (identity card) valid for 1 year, renewable annually. After 3 years, the holder may transition to a residente cedula valid for 5 years.

Individuals present in Venezuela for more than 183 days in a calendar year are considered tax residents and subject to progressive income tax on worldwide income at rates from 6% to 34%. Non-residents pay a flat 34% rate on Venezuelan-source income.

The visa grants multiple entries with no limit on stay. To maintain residency status, the holder must visit Venezuela at least once every 24 months.