In a significant shift for one of South America's most difficult-to-access destinations, Venezuela has launched a new e-visa system offering 1-year, multiple-entry tourist visas to US and Canadian citizens.

A traveler who applied through the new system reported receiving approval within 10 days, marking a dramatic easing of travel restrictions to a country that has been largely off-limits to American tourists for years.

"I recently applied for a tourist evisa on the new system provided by the government of Venezuela," the user shared on r/travel. "I got approved today after 10 days - received a 1 year, multiple entry e-visa."

The application process runs through Venezuela's new digital consular platform at cancilleriadigital.mppre.gob.ve, with instructions available in both English and Spanish.

This represents a major policy reversal for a country that has had strained diplomatic relations with the United States for over a decade. Venezuela suspended tourist visa processing for Americans in 2019, making legal entry extremely difficult for US passport holders interested in visiting Angel Falls, Los Roques archipelago, and other Venezuelan attractions.

For adventure travelers, Venezuela offers some of South America's most spectacular and least-visited natural wonders:

Angel Falls: The world's highest uninterrupted waterfall at 979 meters (3,212 feet), located in Canaima National Park. Accessible only by small aircraft and river journey, it has been effectively closed to most foreign tourists for years.

Los Roques Archipelago: A pristine Caribbean reef system with some of the region's clearest waters, virtually untouched by mass tourism.

Roraima: The table mountain that inspired Arthur Conan Doyle's accessible via multi-day trek from the .