Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Partial suspension: B-1/B-2 visitor visas included |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Venezuelan citizens cannot use the Visa Waiver Program and cannot apply for an ESTA. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, the issuance of new B-1/B-2 visitor visas to Venezuelan nationals is suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas), with limited exceptions such as certain dual nationals. Visas issued before the proclamation remain valid. Check the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov before paying for a trip to Manhattan.
What the suspension means
The proclamation does not close the United States to every Venezuelan traveler. It suspends the issuance of new B-1/B-2 visitor visas to Venezuelan nationals, with limited exceptions. A visitor visa issued before the proclamation was not revoked and can still be used while valid. Dual nationals traveling on another country's passport may fall under an exception. The consulate decides each case.
An ESTA is not available to Venezuelan citizens. The Visa Waiver Program does not cover Venezuela, so the electronic authorization system at esta.cbp.dhs.gov cannot be used. A visa is the route, and where an exception may apply, the application goes through a US embassy or consulate. Rules and appointment availability change, so confirm the current position on travel.state.gov. This guide does not issue visas.
Before you fly and on arrival
Airlines check travel documents before boarding a flight to the United States, and without a valid visa or an applicable exception, boarding is refused. Carry the passport that matches your visa or exception. A visa issued before the proclamation stays valid until its expiry date, but confirm current entry rules with the embassy, consulate and airline before departure. Keep printed copies of key documents.
Flights from Venezuela and from the wider region land at John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International. At each airport, US Customs and Border Protection officers inspect arriving travelers. Expect questions about the purpose of the trip, where you will stay and when you plan to leave. Answer briefly and consistently, and keep a hotel confirmation, a return ticket and supporting documents within reach. A visa does not guarantee admission.
Staying in Manhattan: documents to carry
Carry accommodation confirmation showing the address in Manhattan, with the contact details of the place. Officers may ask where you are staying on your first night. Know how you will reach the city: trains and shuttle services link John F. Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International with Manhattan, while LaGuardia sits closer to Midtown and is served by buses and taxis. Check current options on the airport websites.
Have a return or onward ticket and a clear plan for the end of the trip. Officers assess how long you intend to stay and whether your plans match what you say. A short first visit, a booked return flight and straightforward answers help. Keep reservations refundable until the visa position is settled. Do not overstay: visitor visa terms are strict and breaches affect future travel.
Work, study and longer stays
A B-1/B-2 visitor visa covers temporary business visits and tourism. It does not authorize paid work in the United States, and it does not replace a student visa for a degree or a long course. Work, study, exchange programs and family-based stays each have their own categories. The suspension described here concerns new visitor visas. If another category fits, read its guidance on travel.state.gov and confirm the position with the consulate.
Visa rules, exceptions and consular services change at short notice, and announcements usually appear before the practical details reach airlines and hotels. Book flexible accommodation and transport, and read the State Department's announcement in full rather than summaries. If a category may apply to you, ask the embassy or consulate in writing where possible. This guide explains the published status and offers no legal advice.
Step by step
- Read the State Department's announcement of Presidential Proclamation 10998 in full on travel.state.gov before making plans.
- Check whether an exception applies to you, such as dual nationality with travel on another country's passport.
- Confirm that any visitor visa issued to you before the proclamation is still valid and matches your passport.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate responsible for your area to ask how the suspension applies to your case.
- Hold off on non-refundable flights, hotels and tours until the visa position is clear.
Documents to carry
- Passport valid for the trip, matching your visa or exception
- A valid US visitor visa or evidence of the applicable exception
- Accommodation confirmation showing your Manhattan address and first night
- Return or onward ticket and printed copies of key documents
- Printed copy of the State Department announcement and any consular correspondence
Venezuelan citizens: questions
Do Venezuelan citizens need a visa to visit the United States and Manhattan?
Yes. Venezuela does not take part in the Visa Waiver Program, so an ESTA is not available to Venezuelan passport holders. A visitor visa is required, and under Presidential Proclamation 10998 the issuance of new B-1/B-2 visas to Venezuelan nationals is suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas), with limited exceptions. Check travel.state.gov for the current position.
Can Venezuelan citizens travel to New York on a visa issued before 2026?
Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked. If you hold a valid visitor visa, you can travel on it while it remains valid, subject to inspection by Customs and Border Protection on arrival. Confirm current entry requirements with your airline and the US embassy or consulate before departure, since practice and paperwork can change.
Is an ESTA an option for Venezuelan citizens flying into JFK or Newark?
No. The Visa Waiver Program does not include Venezuela, so the electronic system at esta.cbp.dhs.gov cannot be used by Venezuelan citizens. Entry requires a visa, or travel under an exception confirmed by a consulate. Apply through the consulate and check travel.state.gov for the rules that apply to your situation.
Which exceptions may apply to Venezuelan citizens under the proclamation?
The proclamation sets out limited exceptions, including certain dual nationals who travel on another country's passport. Whether an exception covers you depends on your nationalities, the passport you use and your purpose of travel, and the decision rests with the consulate. Read the full announcement on travel.state.gov and ask the embassy or consulate about your own case.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.