Date of publication:
09/01/2026
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
Do domestic laws and policies authorize asylum-seekers to be present and remain in the country, pending determination of their asylum application?
Assessment by population
Analysis
Articles 2.3 and 7 speak on the principle of non-refoulement for asylum-seekers. Article 16 informs of the obligation of the National Commission for Refugees to issue a temporary document for asylum-seekers in order to ensure their permanence in the country while the decision is reached. Article 21 establishes that if an asylum claim is denied and the applicant introduces a reconsideration appeal, the temporary document is valid until the new decision is reached.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
Organic Law on Refugees and Asylees
- Year: 2001
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality, Integration & Public Affairs, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/node/18314
Legal provision
Article 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4 - Fundamental principles
"(Unofficial translation) The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela recognizes and guarantees the right to asylum and refuge, in accordance with the following principles: 1. Any person may request refuge in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela due to well-founded fears of being persecuted for the reasons and under the conditions established in the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees. 2. Any person may request asylum in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as well as in its diplomatic missions, warships, and military aircraft abroad, when persecuted for political reasons or offenses under the conditions established in this Law." 3. No asylum-seeker or applicant for refugee status shall be rejected or subjected to any measure that would compel them to return to a territory where their life, physical integrity, or freedom would be at risk for the reasons set out in this Law. 4. No authority shall impose any sanction on persons seeking refugee status or asylum on account of their irregular entry into or stay within the territory of the Republic, in accordance with the terms established in this Law. "La República Bolivariana de Venezuela reconoce y garantiza el derecho de asilo y refugio, de conformidad con los siguientes principios: 1. Toda persona puede solicitar refugio en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, debido a fundados temores de ser perseguido por los motivos y condiciones establecidos en el Protocolo de 1967 sobre el Estatuto de los Refugiados. 2. Toda persona puede solicitar asilo en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, así como en sus misiones diplomáticas, navíos de guerra y aeronaves militares en el exterior, cuando sea perseguida por motivos o delitos políticos en las condiciones establecidas en esta Ley. 3. Ninguna persona solicitante de refugio o de asilo será rechazada o sujeta a medida alguna que le obligue a retornar al territorio donde su vida, integridad física o su libertad esté en riesgo a causa de los motivos mencionados en esta Ley. 4. Ninguna autoridad podrá imponer sanción alguna, por causa del ingreso o permanencia irregular en el territorio de la República de personas que soliciten la condición de refugiado – refugiada o asilado - asilada, según los términos establecidos en esta Ley.