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Marriage to a Venezuelan Citizen

Every country has its own laws that apply to its citizens marrying a person from a different country. Getting married to a Venezuelan citizen with the goal of eventually bringing them to Canada to live is a process with many steps.

If you want to bring your Venezuelan spouse or partner to live in Canada, you must then file a sponsorship application for them to become a permanent resident. If they would like to visit you in Canada while their application is in process, they must also apply for a visitor visa. For more information, please see our family sponsorship page and our visitor visa page.

Processing Time

If you file a Canadian sponsorship application for your Venezuelan spouse or partner, this application takes an average of 10-12 months.

A visitor visa application for your spouse or partner to visit you in Canada while the sponsorship applications are processing takes an average of 3 –14 days.

Please see our pages on family sponsorship and Canadian visitor visa for more information on the processing times of these applications.

Venezuelan Marriage Basic Requirements

In Venezuela marriage must comply with the laws and regulations as laid out in the Civil Code (Código Civil) of Venezuela. Even though the country of citizenship of the parties may differ from the Venezuelan Civil Code, no marriage can take place in Venezuelan territory without complying with the laws of Venezuela.

The Venezuelan civil code states that a civil marriage can only be done between a woman and a man, and it must be performed within the municipality where either the man or the woman resides.

Once the civil marriage ceremony is performed, the couple can proceed to have a religious marriage ceremony.

The religious ceremony can only be performed when the minister or priest has received the marriage certificate issued by the Venezuelan government.

According to Venezuelan law, the following requirements must be met before a marriage can be contracted;

The woman must be 14 years of age, and male 16 years of age.
Parties under 18 years of age must have parental consent
The couple must both enter the marriage voluntarily and out of their own free will.
Both parties must be legally free to marry and prior marriages should be terminated through divorce or death
Marriage between immediate relatives, or descendants is not permitted or valid (exceptions must be approved by a judge

The following documents are required by the civil office where the marriage takes place:

Marriage License prepared by the official.
An affidavit (fijación de carteles) prepared by the official, where the couple express their desire to marry.
A certified copy of the birth certificates of the future spouses, which should not be issued more than six months before the date in which the marriage will be conducted.
Documents confirming the legal termination of any prior marriages, by either death or divorce, if applicable.

Family Members

If your Venezuelan spouse has dependent children, this does not affect the Venezuelan Marriage document application.

If you have dependent children, they have no effect on the application to marry a Venezuelan citizen.

Marriage Customs

The culture of Venezuelan is a blend of many influences from American Indians, Spanish, Africans, Italians, Portuguese, Germans, Arabs and other cultures from South American countries.

The man must ask the parents of the woman for her hand in marriage before any preparations are made for the wedding.

One of the most common and peculiar wedding traditions in Venezuelan culture is the bridal couple sneaking out from the reception unnoticed, it is believed this brings good luck.

For those who do not understand this tradition, it might seem rude or shocking that the couple leaves without a word.

The flower girl and the ring bearer wear the same clothes as the bride which is another unique and rare tradition in other cultures.

Coins are exchanged during the wedding ceremony which is basically chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil. These coins are referred to as aras and are presented to the groom or bride’s father.

When the groom presents the coins it symbolises his willingness to love and support the wife. It the coins are presented by the bride’s father it symbolises dowry.

Food for weddings

Avocado Salsa

This is a very simple and delicious snack that is a popular Venezuelan dish made with avocados, and sauteed plantains served with tortilla chips as a dessert.

Pabello Criollo

This is a steak dish a favourite in Venezuela and can be served at a wedding. It is made by cooking steak in a casserole, draining the water and adding vegetables then serving with cooked rice.

Rich Caramel Cheesecake

This delightful dessert is a favourite Venezuelan dish which is cheesecake with caramel topping. Whipped cream can be added.

Tisana

This is a Venezuelan drink perfect for cocktails during parties or wedding reception. Ingredients are passion fruit juice, club soda, sugar, orange, lemons and star fruit.

Chicken Chupe

This is a Venezuelan version of chicken soup that can be made with a variety of ingredients like vegetables, peppers, potatoes and heavy cream. The main ingredient is whole chicken breasts.

Tequenos

This is a classic Venezuelan dish made with cheese rolled up in dough and fried. This can be served as dessert in a wedding reception.

Caraotas Negras

This dish is made with black beans, carrots, brown sugar and vegetables. They are great served with white rice or arepas on a wedding reception.

Marquesa

This is the Venezuelan version of Oreo cookies made with Oreo cookies, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and eggs. It can be served as dessert in a wedding reception.

Latin Black Bean Habichuelas Negras

Beans are a staple food in Venezuela and this dish’s main ingredient is black beans. They are full of flavor and can be served with rice at any occasion including wedding receptions.

Grilled Arepas with Cheese

This dish is made with corn, chicken stock, instant cornmeal and sour cream among other ingredients. The mixture is grilled before being brushed with melted butter and should be toasted on the outside and soft in the middle.

Torta de Platano Maduro

This is a Venezuelan ripe plantain cake mostly served with meat dishes hot or cold. Plantains are fried in butter before being mashed together with cheese, sugar and cinnamon.

Venezuelan Arroz Con Leche

This is a creamy pudding made with white uncooked rice, milk, cinnamon, lemon, sugar and salt. The rice is cooked before adding the milk, cinnamon and lemon peel.

The sugar and salt are added the pudding is cooked until creamy. This is served as dessert.

Religion

Venezuela is predominantly Catholic because of the colonisation by the Spanish. Almost 92% of the population is Roman Catholic and 8% Protestant.

There is a small population of Jews and Muslims with Muslims amounting to about 100,000 mostly of Lebanese and Syrian descent in the Caracas area.

Jews are approximately 13,000 in number also in the Caracas area. Venezuela has a significant population of syncretic religious traditions who believe in Maria Lionza and Jose Gregorio Hernandez figures.

Buddhism

Buddhism in Venezuela is not very active because the religion only has about 52,000 followers which are about 0.2% of the population.

Islam

There are approximately 100,000 Muslims in Venezuela which is about 0.4% mostly Arabs of Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian and Turkish descent.

The Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim mosque in Caracas is the largest mosque in Latin America. Margarita Island is home to a large Muslim community.

Honeymoon Destinations

Casa Natal Museo Bolivar

This is an honorary museum and landmark for Simon Bolivar who helped Venezuelan gain independence from Spain, it is also his birthplace.

TeatroTeresa Careno

This is an architectural and design masterpiece in the city of Caracas that is a major tourist attraction.

Jardin Botanico

This is a botanical garden with thousands of trees and other plant species that is the perfect relaxing spot for any couple on a honeymoon in Venezuela looking for a quiet place to spend time.

Paeso de Los Proceros

This is a popular hangout spot in the city of Caracas popular with bikers, joggers and people who enjoy site seeing.

Couples on a honeymoon in Venezuela can also visit this magical location and enjoy these activities.

Museo de Arte Contemporneo

Some of the finest South American art are housed in this contemporary museum some of the pieces by famous artists like Picasso.

This museum is located in the city of Caracas, couples visiting Venezuela can visit the museum.

Iglesia de San Francisco

This historical Church was built in the 1500’s and it was also where the funeral of Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan freedom fighter was held.

Parque del Este

This is a park and zoo in the city of Caracas home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. There is also a garden, nine lakes, and oasis.

Couples in Venezuela can come to this location to relax and enjoy nature.

Parque del Los Caobos

Located in the city of Caracas, this is a great relaxation spot as well as activities like jogging, walking and outdoor sports. It is one of the oldest parks in Caracas with a fountain.

Laguna De La Restinga

This is a natural lagoon in located in the La Restinga National Park in Margarita Island. This is a perfect getaway spot for couples on a honeymoon.

Paradise Beach

This is one of the many beaches in Venezuela located in Margarita Island. Couples can come here to enjoy the sun and sand.

Rancho Mecanao

Couples in Venezuela looking for outdoor fun and enjoyment can come to this place in Margarita Island for horseback riding.

Porlamar

This is a water park in Margarita Island where couples and tourists can visit to enjoy water sports.

Isla Margarita Windsurf Centre

This is a windsurfing and sailing centre in Margarita Island.

Isla Margarita Golf Club

This is the only golf course in Margarita Island which is quiet and perfect getaway for a couple in Venezuela looking for relaxation.

Margarita Mirage

Couples in Venezuela who love gambling and casinos can visit this casino located in Margarita Island

Los Aleros

This is a historical and cultural village in Merida city where there is a lot to be discovered from exhibits of traditional housing designs to farming methods.

Museum of Science and Technology

This is a museum of Science and prehistory that also showcases exhibits on computers. It is located in the city of Merida.

Teatro Baralto

This is a theatre where plays and concerts are held in the city of Maracaibo.

Angel Falls

This water fall is almost 16 times the height of Niagara Falls and is one of Venezuela’s top tourist attractions.

Roraimo

This is the tallest flat-topped and cliff edged mountain in Venezuela. Tourists visit this mountain to enjoy the biodiversity and climb rocks.

Salto Apongua

This is another one of Venezuelan top tourist attractions which is a waterfall of more than 300 feet tall. It is located in the city of Canaima National Park.

Havack

Visiting this village is a trip through the rain-forest then a cave that opens up into a 300 feet waterfall.

List of Venezuelan Consulates in Canada

Embassy in Ottawa

Emergency Information for Canadians in Venezuela

Embassy of Canada in Caracas

Avenida Francisco de Miranda con Avenida Altamira Sur,
Caracus 1060
Venezuela

Telephone: 58 (212) 600-3000/264-0833
Fax: 58 (212) 261-8741 E-mail: [email protected] Website: venezuela.gc.ca

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Currency of Venezuela

The official currency of Venezuela is the Bolivar Fuerte which is abbreviated as VEB and further divided into 100 Centimos also known as bolo or luca.

Coins in use are Bs 1, 10c, 25c and 50c. Bank notes used are Bs 2, Bs 5, Bs 10, Bs 50, Bs 100 and the inflation rate is at 28.7%.

The current central bank interest rate in Venezuela is at 15.65% the same rate as in 2011. After World War 1, the Venezuelan economy moved from being dependent on agriculture to oil production and exports which now accounts for about a third of the GDP.

During the recession in 1999, the increase in international oil prices helped the recovery of the Venezuelan economy.

Calling

Calling Venezuela from Canada

The exit code for Canada 011
The country code for Venezuela is 58
Dial 011 – 58 – area code – local numbers

Some area codes for major cities in Venezuela are:

Acarigua	255	Ciudad Bolivar	285	Maracay	243
Anaco	282	Ciudad Guayana	286	Maturin	291
Barcelona	281	Coro	268	Merida	274
Barinas	274	Cua	239	Ocumare del Tuy	239
Barquisimeto	251	Cumana	293	Palo Negro	243
Baruta	212	El Tigre	283	Petare	212
Cabimas	279	El Vigia	275	Puerto Cabello	259
Cabudare	251	Guacara	245	Puerto La Cruz	281
Cagua	244	Guanare	272	Punto Fijo	269
Calabozo	246	Guarenas	236	San Cristobal	276
Caracas	212	Guatire	236	Santa Teresa	239
Carupano	294	Los Teques	232	Turmero	244
Charallave	239	Maracaibo	261	Valencia	241

Calling Canada from Venezuela

The international dialling code is 00
The country code for Canada is 1
Dial 00 – 1 – are code – local numbers

Province	Code	Province	Code
Alberta	403 / 587 (southern Alberta) 587 / 780 (central and northern Alberta)	Nunavut	867
BC	236 / 250 / 778 (majority of BC) 236 / 604 / 778 (Metro Vancouver)	Ontario	226 / 519 (southwestern Ontario) 249 / 705 (northeastern Ontario) 289 / 365 / 905 (Greater Toronto Area) 343 / 613 (eastern Ontario) 416 / 647 (Toronto) 807 (northwestern Ontario)
Manitoba	204 / 431	PEI	782 / 902
New Brunswick	506	Quebec	418 / 581 (eastern Quebec) 438 / 514 (Montreal) 450 / 579 (Greater Montreal) 819 / 873 (remainder of Quebec)
Newfoundland and Labrador	709	Saskatchewan	306 / 639
Northwest Territories	867	Yukon	867
Nova Scotia	782 / 902

Time Zone Difference

Canadian Time Zone	# of Hours Venezuela is Ahead or Behind	# of Hours during DST
Pacific (BC, Yukon)	3.5 hours	2.5 hours
Mountain (Alberta, western Nunavut, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan)	2.5 hours	1.5 hours
Saskatchewan	2.5 hours	2.5 hours
Central (Manitoba, Northwest Territories, central Nunavut, northwestern Ontario)	1.5 hours	30 mins
Eastern (most of Ontario, most of Quebec)	30 mins	-30 mins
Atlantic (Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, eastern Quebec)	-30 mins	-1.5 hours
Newfoundland	-1 hour	-2 hours

Find out how to sponsor your Venezuelan spouse

Learn More

Sponsorship Review

Immigroup will review your completed spousal sponsorship application for $550+HST. Immigroup will make sure you have not made any mistakes on your application or in gathering the documentation of your relationship. We will assess your sponsorship letter and give you peace of mind that you are submitting an application with a very good chance of success. Don’t lose sleep at night worrying about whether you’ve done enough. Call us at 1-866-760-2623 for a review.

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