Guyana: Restrictions on Issuance of Visitor Visas on Arrival Implemented

Based on verbal communications from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry has restricted the issuance of Visitor Visas on Arrival (VVOA) to a maximum of two, single-entry visas per foreign national within a 12-month period (counted from the date of issuance of the first VVOA). After a foreign national enters Guyana twice with a VVOA within that period, they can only re-enter Guyana if they obtain an Employment Visa on Arrival. The change is effective immediately. Previously, the Ministry of Home Affairs typically granted multiple-entry VVOAs valid for one year, without any limitation on the number of visas per foreign national. VVOAs allow visa nationals to enter Guyana for short business trips of up to 90 days (although the actual allowed stay can be shorter at the discretion of immigration authorities). Authorities in Guyana are implementing the restrictions to ensure that foreign nationals seeking to work in Guyana obtain appropriate work authorization. Visa nationals who already hold a multiple-entry VVOA can continue to use it to travel to Guyana during the validity of their visa.