Guyana work visa (employment visa)

Before the worker arrives, the sponsor or employer provides the Ministry of Home Affairs with its name, address, telephone, fax or email, and the name, address and gender of the person coming to work. The place of employment must be an established business, registered and compliant with NIS and GRA rules and regulations.

Approval for the visa and work permit is then given to the employer and to Immigration, and the visa on arrival and work permit are issued when the worker arrives. Applications that do not meet these criteria are rejected and the employer and Immigration are notified.

The worker provides the passport bio-data page and photo, the employer's offer and details, and any qualifications relevant to the post. Documents not in English need an English translation. The Ministry of Home Affairs also publishes separate requirement sheets for a landing permit for employment status.

The employment visa is granted for three years in the first instance for US$140, and an additional US$140 is charged for each three-year renewal. The ISS portal offers separate applications for a new employment visa and for an extension or work permit.

Visa applications can be filed online through the Immigration Support Services (ISS) e-services portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which issues a reference number to track the application. Uploads must be in PDF, JPEG, JPG or PNG, documents not in English need an English translation, and the photo must be square, between 600 x 600 and 1,200 x 1,200 pixels. The ISS helpline is (592) 223-5210, and its office is at Lot 6 Brickdam, Georgetown.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' advisory states that travellers from countries whose passport holders need a visa, and who cannot apply at a Guyanese mission or consulate, are issued visas on arrival if they meet the criteria; applications that do not meet them are rejected.