Guyana
GUYGuyana is the only English-speaking country in South America, sitting on the northeastern Atlantic coast between Venezuela, Brazil, and Suriname. Once one of the region's poorest nations, it has been the fastest-growing economy in the world for several consecutive years following major offshore oil discoveries in 2015; ExxonMobil-led production began in 2019 and has since transformed government revenues and GDP per capita.
The country remains relatively underdeveloped outside the capital Georgetown, with infrastructure investment lagging behind the oil windfall. More than half a million Guyanese live abroad, forming large diaspora communities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The population is ethnically diverse — predominantly Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese — and the legal system follows the English common-law tradition. Dual citizenship is permitted, and naturalisation is available after five years of lawful residence.
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Guyanese Dollar (GYD)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Georgetown
- Region
- americas
- Population
- 800,000
- Cost-of-living
- 36 /100
Passport Rank
#94
Visa-Free
80
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Guyana passport has visa-free access to 80 destinations. See the full Guyana passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Guyana without a prior visa (61)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Guyana
Current IRCC processing times for Guyana nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 15 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | No processing time available |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Georgetown
- Currency
- Guyanese Dollar (GYD)
- Languages
- English
- Population
- 800,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Tropical monsoon
- English Proficiency Rank
- #1
- GDP per capita
- $32,414
- Life expectancy
- 70.32 yrs
- Population growth
- 0.59%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
36
Safety
38
Healthcare
30
Quality of Life
98
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown | — | — | — | — | $30 |
| Linden | — | — | — | — | $20 |
| New Amsterdam | — | — | — | — | $15 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Georgetown
Rainfall range: 70–320 mm/month · Daylight 11.5h (winter) to 12.5h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist
- Business
- Work Permit
- Investor (GO-Invest)
- Family
- Student
- Permanent Residence
- Authority
- Citizenship & Immigration Department
- Official Portal
- citizenship.gov.gy
- Phone
- +592 225-7940
- immigration@moha.gov.gy
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- Language Test
- No
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- No
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $150
- Processing
- ~12 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#80
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Taxi overcharging tourists especially from Cheddi Jagan airport into Georgetown
- ⚠Fake gold and gemstone sellers targeting visitors near Stabroek Market
- ⚠Street money changers offering above-rate USD/GYD then swapping counterfeit notes
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Guyana, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Ministry of Legal Affairs
MLAGovernment legal-affairs ministry for Guyana. Immigration status is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration Support Services; applicants should verify any paid legal or immigration assistance before relying on it.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Guyana, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Short-term / business
Business Visa
Short-term / businessBusiness visa route for business people in Guyana, supported by the e-services checklist and Ministry business visa form.
Business Visa Extension
Short-term / businessBusiness visa extension route using the official e-services checklist for business registration, tax, NIS, sponsor and passport evidence.
Landing Permit for Business
Short-term / businessLanding permit route for business status in Guyana, supported by live e-services and Ministry checklist pages.
Visitor Visa
Short-term / businessVisitor visa application route using Guyana Immigration Support Services, with a visa-on-arrival request letter among the listed evidence.
Visitor Visa Extension
Short-term / businessExtension of stay route for visitors in Guyana, with a three-month extension framework and listed extension fees.
Work (sponsored)
Employment Visa
Work (sponsored)Employer-backed employment visa route for foreign workers in Guyana, using the official e-services checklist and live employment visa-on-arrival requirements.
Employment Visa Extension
Work (sponsored)Extension of stay or work permit route for existing employment visa holders, filed with employer and compliance evidence.
Landing Permit for Employment
Work (sponsored)Landing permit route for employment status, with official requirements for sponsor, employer, vacancy advertising and employment-contract evidence.
Study
Landing Permit for Student
StudyLanding permit route for student status in Guyana, using official e-services and Ministry student-status landing checklists.
Student Visa
StudyStudent visa route for study in Guyana, using official e-services evidence and Ministry student visa-on-arrival/form guidance.
Student Visa Extension
StudyStudent visa extension route for continuing study in Guyana, using the official e-services checklist.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified