New procedures for issuance of visas instituted

The Home Affairs Ministry has instituted new procedures governing the issuance of visas for persons desirous of entering Guyana.

Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee at a press conference at the Police Training Centre at Carifesta Avenue and Young Street, said that this decision was taken by Cabinet based on recommendations made by his ministry.

Guyana has several agreements with foreign countries, which are reciprocal in nature that allows for certain categories of visitors to enter the country without visas.

“In keeping with the global trends and the need for Guyana to accelerate its development, we have decided to further liberalise our immigration policies by putting in place certain new procedures… our visa on arrival policy would now mean that we have instituted four categories of visas for persons desirous of entering the country,” Minister Rohee explained.

These categories are: visitor, employment, student, and business visas. With regards to visitors, they are now required to pay US$ 25 for a visa for a period of one month in the first instance and an additional US$ 25 for every extension that is granted.

A visitor is given a maximum of three months to stay.

As it relates to employment, this category of visa now costs the person who is bringing an employee to Guyana US$140 for a period of three years in the first instance and a similar sum for every time that visa is renewed.

Likewise, student visas now cost US$ 140 for a three year period in the first instance and a similar sum everytime that stay is extended, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release said.

Meanwhile, persons who are desirous of coming to Guyana to engage in business activities are now required to pay US$ 140 for a period of five years, and a similar sum to extend their stay in the country.

The immigration authorities have been informed of this new policy, which came into effect in May 2011. It has been working very smoothly from all indications at both the levels of the immigration authorities and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which have embassies and consulates abroad authorised to issue visas.

There are certain conditions attached to the granting of the visas; these can be found on the websites of the Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs ministries and the Guyana Police Force.

In July 2010, a workshop was held by Trevor Hamilton and Associates, who were contracted by government through the Citizen’s Security Programme (CSP) to undertake the consultancy to review and enhance the country’s immigration policies to be on par with the evolving demands of globalisation.