Travel Requirements For Guyana: Unveiling The Essentials

To enter Guyana, you must have a passport that is valid for at least another 6 months from your arrival date. Citizens from certain countries can enter without a visa, while others must apply for a visa in advance or on arrival. As of 2023, a tourist visa costs US$50 for up to 30 days and US$70 for up to 90 days. Additionally, you must provide proof of a yellow fever vaccination if you are coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

Visa requirements depend on nationality

The requirements to travel to Guyana depend on your nationality and the purpose and duration of your visit.

Visa-Exempt Countries

Citizens of the following countries can enter Guyana without a visa for stays of up to 90 days (unless otherwise stated):

• Antigua and Barbuda (up to 6 months)
• Barbados (up to 6 months)
• Belize (up to 6 months)
• Costa Rica (up to 30 days)
• Dominica (up to 6 months)
• Dominican Republic (up to 30 days)
• Eswatini (up to 60 days)
• Grenada (up to 6 months)
• Indonesia (up to 30 days)
• Jamaica (up to 6 months)
• Lesotho (up to 14 days)
• Malaysia (up to 60 days)
• Saint Kitts and Nevis (up to 6 months)
• Saint Lucia (up to 6 months)
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (up to 6 months)
• South Africa (up to 30 days)
• South Korea (up to 30 days)
• Suriname (up to 6 months)
• Trinidad and Tobago (up to 6 months)

Additionally, citizens of the following countries can enter visa-free for varying durations:

• Argentina (up to 3 months)
• Australia (up to 3 months)
• Austria (up to 3 months)
• Bahamas (up to 3 months)
• Belgium (up to 3 months)
• Brazil (up to 3 months)
• Canada (up to 3 months)
• Denmark (up to 3 months)
• Finland (up to 3 months)
• France (up to 3 months)
• Germany (up to 3 months)
• Greece (up to 3 months)
• Ireland (up to 3 months)
• Italy (up to 3 months)
• Japan (up to 3 months)
• Luxembourg (up to 3 months)
• Montserrat (up to 3 months)
• Netherlands (up to 3 months)
• New Zealand (up to 3 months)
• North Korea (up to 3 months)
• Norway (up to 3 months)
• Portugal (up to 3 months)
• Russia (up to 3 months)
• Spain (up to 3 months)
• Sweden (up to 3 months)
• Switzerland (up to 3 months)
• United Kingdom (up to 3 months)
• United States (up to 3 months)

Visa on Arrival

Nationals of Bolivia and the United Arab Emirates can obtain a visa on arrival in Guyana. Additionally, citizens of other countries who cannot access a Guyana Embassy or Consulate abroad may also be eligible for a visa on arrival under certain categories, such as tourists with a letter of invitation or sponsorship from a Guyanese entity or individual.

Visa Requirements

If your nationality is not listed above, you will need to apply for a visa to visit Guyana. The requirements and application process may vary depending on your country of origin and the purpose of your visit. It is recommended to contact the nearest Guyana Embassy or Consulate for detailed information on visa requirements and procedures.

Passport validity

To enter Guyana, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival date. Most countries require a minimum of six months' validity to enter, so it is recommended to have at least this amount of time left on your passport when travelling. If your passport does not meet the validity requirements, you will need to renew it before travelling to Guyana.

In addition to having a valid passport, you may need to submit other documents when applying for a Guyana visa, depending on the type of visa and the country where you are applying. These documents could include visa application forms, visa photos, proof of accommodation, proof of financial resources, and invitation letters.

It is important to note that the requirements for entering Guyana may vary depending on your nationality. Citizens of certain countries, such as Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and Belize, can travel to Guyana without a visa for stays of up to six months. On the other hand, citizens of countries not on the visa-exempt list will need to apply for a Guyana visa before their trip.

Vaccination requirements

As of October 7, 2022, there is no COVID-19 vaccination requirement for entry into Guyana. However, as of November 1, 2021, all persons aged 12 and over travelling to Guyana must be fully vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus before their arrival. This means that a person must have received either an approved single-dose vaccine, the second dose of an approved two-dose vaccine, or any mix-and-match combination of approved vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

Passengers are required to present their vaccination card, which should include their name, the name of the vaccine, the date the vaccine was administered, and the batch number from an accredited health facility. Approved vaccines include, but are not limited to, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Pfizer-BioNTec, Moderna, Jansen COVID-19 Vaccine, COVAXIN, and Abdala.

Vaccination exemptions are applicable for passengers who are advised against being vaccinated for medical reasons and must present a "Letter of Exemption" from a licensed medical practitioner. Additionally, partially vaccinated Guyanese who departed Guyana on or before October 31, 2021, and returned on or before November 30, 2021, are exempt from the vaccination requirement.

It is important to note that, as of 2023, the US Embassy in Guyana recommends checking for the latest entry and exit requirements, especially for returning US citizens. Additionally, travellers should ensure that their passports are valid for at least another 6 months when travelling to Guyana.

Travel insurance

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

It is important to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions to your travel insurance provider. While this may result in higher premiums, it is better than falling ill during your trip and being denied coverage. Most insurance providers offer free screenings for thousands of medical conditions and provide ample coverage to offset the cost of repatriation and medical care while abroad.

Repatriation and Medical Cover

The most important part of any travel insurance policy is emergency medical expenses cover. This typically ranges from £5 million to £10 million and covers your costs if you become ill or injured abroad and require medical treatment. Medical expenses should include repatriation cover so that if your condition means you have to return to your home country urgently, there is cover for transporting you, along with any necessary medical equipment and staff.

Cancellation and Curtailment Cover

Some policies will cover you if you have to cancel your trip due to illness or injury. Some policies will also cover you if a close relative is ill or injured, or your home is burgled.

Luggage Cover

Luggage can get lost during transit, and this can be a major inconvenience. Luggage cover will reimburse you for the trouble and cover the cost of essential replacement clothing and toiletries if your baggage is delayed on your outward journey, up to a specified amount. If the luggage is lost (missing for more than 21 days), you will be paid out the amount stipulated in the luggage cover for the accidental loss, damage or theft of your baggage and personal effects, up to a specified amount.

Excesses and Exclusions

When buying travel insurance, it is important to not just look at the final price but also to check any excesses you may have to pay. Some cheap policies will have very high excesses, meaning any claims could be expensive despite having insurance. Make sure you buy a travel insurance policy that balances a good price with reasonable excesses.

Local laws and customs

• The official language of Guyana is English, though most people natively speak Guyanese Creole.
• The only university in the country is the University of Guyana, with two campuses at Tain and Turkeyen.
• Guyana is a multicultural country with a population consisting of Indian, African, European, and Amerindian people.
• The national dish of Guyana is pepper pot, a slow-cooked stew of pork (or other meats), red peppers, cinnamon, and casareep.
• The most popular national drink is Caribbean-style dark rum.
• Banks Beer, produced by local beverage giant Banks DIH Limited, is the national beer.
• Guyana is vulnerable to flooding, with the main rainy seasons generally being from May to June and December to January.
• The country's largest hospital is the Georgetown Public Hospital, located in the capital.
• Crime levels are high, and police capacity is low. There are frequent armed robberies, hold-ups, carjackings, and other violent crimes.
• Drug trafficking is a serious problem, and you can get lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines for possession or trafficking of drugs.
• Same-sex sexual activity is illegal, although in practice, these laws are rarely enforced, and there is growing local support for LGBT+ rights.
• Driving in Guyana can be dangerous due to reckless drivers, frequent hazards, inadequate street lighting, and poor road conditions.
• There have been armed attacks against fishing boats in and around the waters of Guyana and Suriname.
• There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Guyana. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
• It is illegal to enter Suriname from Guyana by using water taxis ('backtracking') and can lead to arrest, imprisonment, and deportation.

Frequently asked questions