Venezuela - Country Information

Film Commissions

Venezuela Film Commission
Tel: 212 237 8630 Fax: 212 239 4786
E-mail: venefilmcomis@cantv.net
Website: www.diatriba.net/venezuelafilmcommission
Project Co-ordinator: Saul Moanack

Permits
All persons coming to work in Venezuela need a business visa which must be secured in his or her country of origin. The presence of a local producer or fixer is required in all cases. The first permit that a foreign production must request is the General Shooting Permit, granted by CNAC through the Venezuela Film Commission, which is followed by permission given by local or national authorities according to the site chosen for filming.

Recent Productions
La Vie d'un Autre, Linea Verde, Jungle 2 Jungle, The History of OPEP, Amú, Earth's Natural Wonders.

General Information

Location: South America
Local Time: GMT -4
Capital City: Caracas
Population: 24 million
Area: 912,050 square km, 352,143 square miles.
Language(s): Spanish
Dialling Code: 58
Emergency: Police, Fire & Ambulance: 171
Directory Enquiries: 113
TV Standard: NTSC
Driving: Driving is on the right. International Driving Permit required
Electricity: 110V 60Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: Bolivar (VEB 1 = 100 Centimos)
Notes: VEB: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000
Coins: VEB: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted and receipts should be obtained on exchange

Opening Hours
Bank: 0830-1530 Mon-Fri
Office: 0800-1800 Mon-Fri (1 or 2 hour break)
Shops: 0900-1300 & 1500-1900 Mon-Sat

Public Holidays
2008
Jan 1 New Years Day, Feb 4-5 Carnival, Mar 20 Holy Thursday, Mar 21 Good Friday, Apr 19 Declaration of Independence, May 1 Labour Day, Jun 24 Carabobo Battle Day, Jul 5 Independence Day, Jul 24 Simon Bolivars Birthday, Oct 12 Columbus Day, Dec 25 Christmas Day
*Various regional holidays are also observed

Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in Spanish. Many executives speak English. Smoking is generally accepted unless there are notices to the contrary. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, punctuality is appreciated. Dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years

Tipping: Around 10%, even when a service charge is included in the bill. Tips not customary for taxis

Health

Reciprocal health:

Compulsory vaccinations: None.

Recommended immunisations: Diphtheria*, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, malaria, TB*, tetanus, typhoid, yellow fever
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: The risk is mainly from serious malaria, mostly in inland rain forest areas of Amazonia, Apure, Bolivar and delta Amacura stated but also along the Guyana border. Cases are rare in the capital city Caracas, neighbouring coastal regions and on Margarita Island. Those staying on Margarita Island may take day-trips inland to the Angel Falls - the risk will be small for trips confided to daylight hours but some tourists may wish to consider antimalarial tablets. Rabies.

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Passports

Required by all

Passport Validity: Passports must be valid for at least 6 months

Passport Notes:

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Venezuela
2) Returning alien residents holding a temporary or residents visa
3) For stays up to 90 days by holders of a valid Tourist Card (`Tarjeta de Ingreso' Forma Dex 2) issued by authorised airlines & shipping companies to:
a) Nationals of United Kingdom
b) Nationals of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Rep, Denmark, Dominica, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Hong Kong (S.A.R passports only), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, United States & Uruguay

Air Transit

Required by all except those as noted above and:
1) Persons continuing their journey to another country by the same or first connecting aircraft within 72 hours provided holding tickets with confirmed seats

Exit Permits

Special Notes

All visitors must hold onward/return tickets, documents required for next destination & sufficient funds for length of stay

Climate

Tropical climate with high temperatures throughout the year although cooler at higher altitudes. In general, the main rainy season is between Apr-Oct although towards the west this can become a double rainy season

Clothing

Lightweights for most of the year although warmer clothes will be required for higher areas. Rainwear for rainy season

Charts for Caracas

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 24 25 26 27 27 26 26 26 27 26 25 26 Min Temp (C) 13 13 14 16 17 17 16 16 16 16 16 14 Humidity am (%) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Humidity pm (%) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rainfall (mm) 23 10 15 33 79 102 109 109 107 109 94 46

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

UK Tourist Office
Venezuela Tourist Department
Venezuelan Embassy
1 Cromwell Road
London, SW7 2HR
tel: +44 20 7584 4206
fax: +44 20 7589 8887
e-mail: tourismn@venezlon.co.uk

Embassy
Embassy of Venezuela
Consular Section
56 Grafton Way
London, W1T 5DL
tel: +44 20 7387 6727
fax: +44 20 7383 3253
e-mail: consulado@venezlon.co.uk
website: www.venezlon.co.uk
hours: 1000-1300 (Mon-Fri)