Venezuela (VE)
Oil-rich South American nation with dramatic landscapes from the Andes to Angel Falls and the Caribbean coast, experiencing economic recovery after years of crisis, with a warm culture and very low cost of living for dollar-earning expats.
Leaving Venezuela
How to properly exit — protecting your finances, rights and records.
📅 General Timeline
3 months before departure: give notice to landlord, employer, and begin SAIME/SENIAT clearance. 2 months: cancel utilities, close non-essential accounts, begin selling or shipping belongings. 1 month: collect prestaciones sociales from employer, obtain SENIAT solvencia fiscal, organise international shipping (note: Venezuelan customs (ADUANA) restrictions may apply to household goods export). Final week: conduct property handover inspection, return cédula de extranjero to SAIME, make final utility meter readings, complete airport departure formalities. SENIAT may conduct exit interviews at the airport for declared high-value goods.
Deregistration
Formally cancel your residence permit at SAIME (Servicio Administrativo de Identificación, Migración y Extranjería) before departing. Surrender your cédula de extranjero (Venezuelan foreign ID card) at the SAIME office. Notify your municipality of address change. If you held a work permit from MPPPTT, formally close it to avoid future liability.
Tax clearance
Obtain a tax clearance certificate (Solvencia Fiscal) from SENIAT before departure if you have been filing ISLR returns. Cancel your RIF (Registro Único de Información Fiscal) registration if you will no longer conduct business in Venezuela. Ensure all outstanding ISLR, IVA, and INCES obligations are settled. Venezuela may assert the right to tax Venezuelan-source income even after you leave — consult a Venezuelan contador público before departing.
Pension portability
IVSS (Instituto Venezolano de los Seguros Sociales) contributions are generally not portable and the pension benefit is modest. Non-Venezuelans who contributed to IVSS and are leaving Venezuela may request a statement of contributions from IVSS. Venezuela has limited bilateral social security agreements — check if your home country has a totalization agreement with Venezuela (currently very few). Prestaciones sociales (seniority fund fideicomiso) MUST be paid out by your employer when you leave — this is a legal right. Ensure you receive the full balance before departure.
Health insurance
Notify your private health insurance provider of your departure date. IVSS coverage ends upon departure from Venezuela. If you have an international health policy, verify continuation terms. Return any unused prescription medications to pharmacy or dispose of safely — some Venezuelan prescription medications cannot be exported.
Bank account
You may keep Venezuelan bank accounts (Banesco, Mercantil, BBVA Provincial) open after departure, though they require periodic reactivation. Close unnecessary accounts to avoid dormancy fees. Transfer funds out via SWIFT (subject to BCV foreign exchange regulations) or convert USD holdings to your home-country account before leaving. Venezuela has foreign exchange regulations — large transfers may require BCV documentation. Keep all banking records for at least 5 years for tax purposes.
Utilities
Cancel EDC (electricity), HIDROCAPITAL/HIDROVEN (water), internet, and gas services with your provider. Read meters and take dated photos on final day. Cancel DIRECTV, Netflix Venezuela billing and any local subscription services. Notify your building administrator (administrador de condominio) of your departure. Return any cable TV or internet equipment.
Rental contract
Notice period: minimum 1 month for most Venezuelan residential leases, though your specific contract governs. Review your lease for notice requirements. Request a formal final inspection (inventario de salida) with your landlord to document the condition of the property. Ensure your rental deposit (depósito de garantía) is returned — this can be contentious. Have the final inspection documented in writing and ideally notarised. Venezuelan rental laws have been relatively landlord-friendly in recent years.
Leaving the Country
Unlock the complete Leaving the Country guide for Venezuela — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.
Become a SupporterSupport the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere