Community · Londres
Venezuelans in London
A community that grew with the diaspora and is living a historic moment. Paperwork, arepas and your people — with the information kept current.
≈20-22,000
born in Venezuela (2021 census) — clearly more today
US$6,000M
in remittances reach Venezuela yearly (29% of households)
4 sites
Arepa & Co already has — the arepa conquered London
Your country's paperwork, from London
What your community searches for most — answered plainly, with the official source.
Consulate
Sección Consular de Venezuela en Reino Unido
56 Grafton Way, W1T 5DL (Fitzrovia)
+44 20 7387 6727+44 20 7121 5920[email protected]
Monday to Friday, 10:00–14:00 — by appointment (passports via SAIME, apostilles via SLAE); passport and extension collection without appointment. Tube: Warren Street
💡 ✅ Verified on 7 September 2026 at consuladovenuk.com: the consulate REMAINS OPEN after the earthquake and the events of 2026. Latest batch of PASSPORTS received on 14 July 2026 and EXTENSIONS pouch from May 2026 — look up your cédula number in the "Pasaportes recibidos" / "Prórrogas recibidas" lists on its website before going. It also receives documents for apostille (10:00–14:00). Closes at midday on 24 and 31 December.
My Venezuelan passport has expired — is it valid in the UK?
Beware the easy answer. The UK's 2020 concession (UKVI) only covered passports issued or expired on or before 21 May 2019, for 5 more years — that window has effectively closed. Venezuela's National Assembly decreed a 10-year extension in June 2024, recognised by the USA and Canada, but the UK has not published a position. For anything serious (visa, status, bank) go with a valid passport or a stamped extension, and if in doubt ask IRMO before you act.
How do I get a new passport or an extension in London?
Through the consulate (56 Grafton Way): passport appointments are booked in the SAIME system, and an extension costs £102 by bank transfer. Documents arrive in batches — the latest passports on 14 July 2026, extensions in May 2026 — and are collected WITHOUT an appointment, Monday to Friday 10:00–14:00, if your cédula appears in the lists at consuladovenuk.com. Bring your original cédula, original passport and proof of payment.
My cédula has expired — can I still do paperwork?
Yes — consular procedures abroad accept an expired cédula (including consular registration). The cédula itself can only be renewed inside Venezuela.
Does my family need a visa to visit me in the UK?
Yes: Venezuela isn't in the ETA system, so they need the Standard Visitor Visa (£135), processed at VFS Global Caracas — it takes weeks, so they should apply early. Good news: Maiquetía airport reopened on 1 September 2026, with 11 airlines operating from temporary terminals.
How do I send money to Venezuela from the UK? (the hard corridor)
It's the region's most complicated corridor, but there are options that work from the UK: Fonmoney (UK→Venezuela specialist), Paysend, Remitly and Ria, plus the apps the diaspora uses (AirTM, Reserve, Zinli). Since late 2025 the formal channels have been growing fast — always compare what arrives.
Your life in the UK
The British paperwork coming your way, explained properly.
How to help after the earthquakes
The official toll is now over 6,300 dead (August 2026) and rebuilding will take years. From the UK the safe route is the DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal (£20 million raised): money, not goods, and only through registered charities — be wary of collections that arrive via WhatsApp.
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Your first weeks: NIN, bank, GP
The newcomer's step-by-step.
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Your people
Where your community gathers: food, faith, sport and meeting places.
Liqui Liqui (Colliers Wood) — the hub
Since 2016, much more than a restaurant: Venezuelan events, the Venenin party, hallacas and Venezuelan New Year. The community's meeting point.
The arepa conquered London
Arepa & Co (4 sites, including Elephant Park), La Pepiá at Borough Market and Peter's Panas — Venezuelan flavour in full expansion.
No neighbourhood of their own — a network instead
Unlike other communities, Venezuelans are spread across all of London — the community lives in its events, its charities and its groups.
Dates that matter
Fundraiser for Venezuela (Holborn)
Quiz and acoustic Venezuelan music at The London Art Bar, 7pm — proceeds go to the DEC (Eventbrite)
Unidos por el Pueblo (Brixton)
Latin solidarity festival at Freight Brixton, 3pm–11pm — 100% of the door for those affected in Venezuela, Colombia and Peru
Japan – Venezuela (friendly)
La Vinotinto returns after the World Cup: Kirin Challenge Cup in Hiroshima, 11:25 London time
South Korea – Venezuela (friendly)
Second match of the Asian tour — kick-off time to be confirmed
Independence Day
South America's first declaration (1811) — receptions and community parties
Hallacas and gaitas
Liqui Liqui and the community's caterers take orders — London's most Venezuelan Christmas
Send money home 🇻🇪
Compare how much actually arrives with each service — fee and exchange rate included.
Compare now →Community, media and support
British Venezuelan Society
More than 40 years as the main forum for the UK–Venezuela relationship.
Healing Venezuela
An award-winning charity of Venezuelan volunteers: health and medical aid for Venezuela, with events in London.
Chamos and AVAREU
Help for Venezuelan children, and an association of Venezuelans with activities and guidance.
IRMO and the Chaplaincy
The lifelong pan-Latin organisations: free advice and Mass in Spanish in Vauxhall.
Facts checked against official sources (July 2026). Spotted something out of date? Write to [email protected].