Guyana: Approval Validity Reduced, Work Authorization Timelines Tightened

Based on recent on-the-ground experience, Guyana’s Ministry of Home Affairs appears to have implemented changes to its work authorization process that significantly shorten the timelines for foreign nationals entering the country for employment. However, no formal policy change has been announced to date. Specifically, current practice is indicating that Permits to Land (PTL), Employment Visas on Arrival (EVOA), and Work Permit Approval Letters are being issued with a three-month validity period, reduced from the previous six months. As a result, foreign nationals must enter Guyana much sooner after approval issuance. Foreign nationals may request up to two extensions (“amendments”) to these approval letters, even after expiration: the first for an additional three months and the second for one month. Once these extensions are exhausted, any foreign national who requires additional time to enter Guyana or complete post-arrival requirements must restart the entire work permit process.  

Additionally, based on recent filings, the Ministry has revised its process for adjudicating applications. PTL/EVOA and Work Permit approvals are now issued simultaneously. Previously, the Work Permit application was only adjudicated after the foreign national entered Guyana with a PTL/EVOA and submitted a copy of their entry stamp, a step that added approximately 20 days before tax and social security registration, and the final work permit endorsement could begin. Under the new approach, this post-arrival adjudication step has been eliminated.  

Taken together, these changes mean foreign nationals now have less overall time (effectively three months) to enter Guyana and complete the full work permit process and work permit endorsement. This compressed timeline increases the likelihood that approval extensions will be required and raises the risk of having to refile the entire application if delays occur. We will provide updates as additional information becomes available.  

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.