Venezuelan nationality law
| Venezuelan Citizenship Act | |
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| Parliament of Venezuela | |
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| Enacted by | Government of Venezuela |
| Status:Current legislation | |
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 Venezuela portal |
Venezuelan nationality lawis the law governing the acquisition, transmission and loss of Venezuelan citizenship. It is based on the principle ofjus soli:any person born inVenezuelaacquires Venezuelan citizenship at birth, irrespective of nationality or status of parents. Venezuelan nationality law is regulated by Section 1 of Chapter 2 of theConstitution of Venezuelaand by the Nationality and Citizenship Act of 2004.[1][2]
Citizenship by birth[edit]
- A child born inVenezuelaregardless of the nationality or status of the parents.
- A child born outsideVenezuelato parents who are both Venezuelans by birth.
- A child born outsideVenezuelato a Venezuelan father or mother, who is a Venezuelan by birth, provided that the child is living inVenezuelaor declares his or her intention to obtain the Venezuelan nationality at any of theDiplomatic missions of Venezuela.
- A child born outsideVenezuelato a naturalized Venezuelan father or mother, provided that the child lives in Venezuela prior to reaching 18 years of age and declares his or her intention to obtain the Venezuelan nationality at the Ministry of Interior and Justice or at any Venezuelan Public Registry.
Citizenship by naturalization[edit]
Applicants must be legally residing inVenezuela,must have passed a citizenship test and meet the continuous residence requirement prior to submitting an application for naturalization to the Venezuelan government:
- Any person who has been legally living inVenezuelafor 10 continuous years.
- Natural-born citizens ofSpain,Portugal,Italy,Latin AmericanorCaribbeancountry and have been legally living inVenezuelafor 5 continuous years.
- Foreign-born minor children whose parent(s) obtained Venezuelan citizenship by naturalization and have been legally living in Venezuela for 5 continuous years. A nationality declaration must be made by the minor before the age of 21.
- A spouse or husband of a Venezuelan citizen who has been married and living inVenezuelafor 5 continuous years.
Dual citizenship[edit]
Dual nationalityis permitted under Venezuelan law as of Article 34 of theConstitution of Venezuela.[3] According to article 7 of the Nationality and Citizenship Act, Venezuelans withdual nationalitymust enter and exitVenezuelawith theirVenezuelan passport.[4]
Venezuelans who possess dual citizenship have the same rights and duties as Venezuelans who do not possess dual citizenship.
Loss of Venezuelan citizenship[edit]
- A Venezuelan-born cannot be deprived his or her nationality.
- Any Venezuelan-born may voluntary renounce their Venezuelan nationality by birth if he or she obtains a foreign nationality. A declaration must be made at any of theDiplomatic missions of Venezuelaif living abroad or at any Venezuelan Public Registry if living in Venezuela and such declaration will take effect if entered into his or her Venezuelan birth certificate.
- Venezuelan citizens by naturalization may be deprived of their Venezuelan nationality (i.e. treason, fraud or national security grounds) by a court judgment from a Venezuelan Court.
- Venezuelan citizens by naturalization may voluntary renounce their Venezuelan nationality. A declaration must be made at any of theDiplomatic missions of Venezuelaif living abroad or at any Venezuelan Public Registry if living inVenezuela.
Resumption of Venezuelan citizenship[edit]
- Former Venezuelan citizens by birth may regain their Venezuelan nationality by birth if he or she have been legally in Venezuela for 2 years and a declaration of recovery has entered his or her Venezuelan birth certificate.
- Former Venezuelan citizens by naturalization he or she must meet again the residency requirements as of Article 33 of theConstitution of Venezuela.
Visa requirements of Venezuelan citizens[edit]
Visa requirements for Venezuelan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens ofVenezuela. As of 7 July 2020, Venezuelan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 129 countries and territories, ranking theVenezuelan passport44th in terms of travel freedom (tied with theNicaraguanandUkrainianpassport) according to theHenley Passport Index.[5] For traveling withinSouth America(exceptParaguay,Uruguayandthe Guyanas), Venezuelans do not need to use a passport, as they may use their ID card.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"LEY DE NACIONALIDAD Y CIUDADANÍA"(PDF).
- ^"Constitución de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela".
- ^"Constitución de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela Titulo II".
- ^"Ley de Nacionalidad y Ciudadania"(PDF).
- ^"Global Ranking - Passport Index 2020"(PDF).Henley & Partners.Retrieved7 July2020.
External links[edit]
National Electoral Council of Venezuela
