Guyana: New Requirements for Extension of Work Permit Approval Letters Implemented

The Ministry of Home Affairs has implemented several changes to the Work Permit Approval Letter Extension process in Guyana. These include a new processing fee of GYD 20,000 (approximately USD 91), whereas previously, the Work Permit Approval Letter extension was free of charge; the ability for foreign nationals to request an extension of their Approval Letter without having first completed tax and social security registration, as previously required; a standardized processing time of seven business days, down from one to two weeks; and a new requirement that extension applications be filed no more than one day before the letter’s expiration date, where previously there was no specific timeframe to file these applications. An extension of a Work Permit Approval Letter grants foreign nationals who are not ready to travel to Guyana more time to enter Guyana with the approval, or grants foreign nationals in Guyana more time to complete tax requirements and work permit endorsement while continuing to work in Guyana. However, employers and foreign nationals should meet their tax obligations and proceed to the Work Permit endorsement stage, since Work Permit endorsements are only granted if the sponsoring employer has met its tax and other obligations in Guyana.