Guyana: Work Permit Application Submission Required for Entry Permit Adjudication
January 26, 2023
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At a Glance
- Based on verbal communications by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry will only process applications for Permission to Land permits (PTL) or Employment Visas on Arrival (EVOA) if the foreign national has also submitted the accompanying Work Permit application, effective immediately.
- Foreign nationals who already submitted a PTL or EVOA application but have not yet received a decision will not have their PTL or EVOA application adjudicated until they submit a Work Permit application if they have not done so yet.
- PTLs and EVOAs allow foreign nationals to work during the processing of their Work Permit application. Therefore, employers and foreign nationals should ensure that they file Work Permit applications as soon as possible to avoid delays.
- Previously, foreign nationals could submit the Work Permit application at any time after obtaining a PTL or an EVOA.
The situation
Based on verbal communications by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry will only process applications for Permission to Land permits (PTL) or Employment Visas on Arrival (EVOA) if the foreign national has also filed the accompanying Work Permit application, effective immediately.
A closer look
- Change in process. Foreign nationals must now submit their Work Permit application prior to entering Guyana in order to obtain their PTL or EVOA, which allows them to work in Guyana while their Work Permit application is pending. PTLs are granted to visa-exempt foreign nationals and EVOAs to visa nationals.
- Work Permit adjudication process. The Ministry will continue to follow the process of adjudicating Work Permit applications once the foreign national is in Guyana and submits a copy of their entry stamp to the Ministry.
- Previous practice. Previously, foreign nationals could submit the Work Permit application at any time after obtaining a PTL or EVOA.
Impact
- Future applications. There should be no impact or delays for foreign nationals who will apply for PTLs or EVOAs, since the supporting documents for Work Permit applications are the same as for PTL or EVOA applications.
- Pending Work Permit applications. Foreign nationals who already submitted a PTL or EVOA application will not have their PTL or EVOA application adjudicated until they submit a Work Permit application if they have not done so yet. Therefore, employers and foreign nationals should ensure that they file Work Permit applications as soon as possible to avoid delays.
Background
- Reason for the change. Authorities in Guyana are implementing this requirement to ensure that foreign nationals seeking to work in Guyana file Work Permit applications promptly and employers meet their tax obligations. (Work Permits are only granted if the sponsoring employer has met its tax and other obligations in Guyana.)
- Other recent changes with a similar aim. The change follows the recent restriction on the issuance of Permission to Land Permits to a maximum of two permits per foreign national, to encourage foreign nationals in Guyana to proceed to the Work Permit application stage, as required.
Looking ahead
It is not yet clear how long these restrictions will last or if the Ministry will publish official decrees formalizing the rules. However, as the number of foreign workers in Guyana rises, authorities will likely continue implementing other rules to ensure immigration and employment procedures are being followed.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
