GoGuyana Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

Chinese citizens holding diplomatic, official and service ordinary passports valid for more than 6 months are eligible for visa free entry into Guyana for a stay of 30 days; Individuals holding private passports valid for more than 6 months are required to obtain a visa in advance for entry into Guyana.

1、 Submit the required documents for visa application to the Embassy of Guyana in China in advance

General requirements: valid passport (valid for more than 6 months); Two completed visa application forms and two passport photos; Two copies of passport information page; Inoculate COVID-19 vaccine approved by WHO (during the epidemic); Get vaccinated against yellow fever.

1. Tourist visa: work certificate letter; Proof of funds capable of paying for expenses during the stay in Guyana; Invitation letter and copies of identification documents issued by the inviter/guarantor in Guyana; The travel itinerary (group tour) and round-trip air ticket itinerary issued by the tourism agency. The application fee is 175 RMB.

2. Work visa: Approval letter issued by Immigration Support Services of the Ministry of Interior of Guyana (if any); Employer and applicant information (including employer's name and workplace address, telephone, fax or email, applicant's name, address and gender), copies of business registration or registration documents with the Guyana Revenue Authority. The application fee is 980 RMB.

3. Study visa: Approval letter issued by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Interior of Guyana (if any); Name and contact information (address, telephone, and fax) of registered/authorized educational institutions; Copy of the admission letter signed by the institutional supervisor; Address and phone number of residence in Gui; Proof of funds that can cover the expenses during the stay in Gui. The application fee is 980 RMB.

4. Business visa: a letter from a Chinese company stating the purpose and time of the applicant's visit; Provide proof of the applicant's work experience and position; Invitation letter issued by the inviter/guarantor of Guyana; Approval letter issued by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Interior of Guyana (if any); Any other supporting materials. The application fee is 980 RMB.

2、 It is strongly recommended that Chinese citizens apply for a visa from the Embassy of Guyana at least two to three weeks before their trip. If the visa is not processed in advance, the immigration office may refuse entry, and some airlines may refuse to check in en route.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

1、 The Immigration Support Services of the Ministry of Interior of Guyana is the competent authority for matters such as residency and naturalization. Guyana's Immigration Law stipulates that foreigners with valid visas can enter and stay for 30 days; If it exceeds 30 days, it is necessary to apply for a residence extension, otherwise it will be considered an illegal immigrant and will be blacklisted when leaving the country. In the next 2 years, it will be refused entry and visa. Foreign citizens who legally enter and exit the country and pay taxes in accordance with the law can apply for a work residence extension permit in Guyana, which is approved for 3 years each time and usually takes 7 working days to process.

2、 The Nationality Law of Guyana stipulates that newborns born within the territory of Guyana can automatically obtain Guyana nationality by applying to the Ministry of Interior of Guyana; Foreigners must submit an application to the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the basis of meeting the following conditions for naturalization, and the processing period generally takes one month:

（1） Lawfully entering and paying taxes in accordance with the law, with no criminal record.

（2） Having a legitimate profession and being able to make a living on one's own.

（3） Have resided continuously in Gui for 7 years or more.

（4） Can speak English.

Special reminder: Overseas Chinese residing in Guyana should promptly apply for work permits and other residence extension procedures.

Contact number for Immigration Support Services of the Ministry of Interior of Guyana:+ 592-2262221+ 592-2237867.

Residency and Naturalization

Each passenger is allowed to bring 758 milliliters of wine, 758 milliliters of spirits, and a total of no more than 227 grams of cigarettes or cigars duty-free upon entry.

Each passenger is allowed to carry cash not exceeding $10000 or an equivalent amount of foreign currency when entering or leaving the country. Any amount exceeding this limit must be declared, otherwise they will face huge fines if discovered. When carrying close to or exceeding $10000 or foreign currency out of the country, the source of funds (such as currency exchange records) must be provided for inspection.

Guyana is a high-risk area for the transmission of yellow fever. It is recommended that Chinese citizens undergo necessary medical examinations before traveling to Guyana and receive the yellow fever vaccine. They should also carry the International Travel Health Certificate (commonly known as the Little Red Book) and the International Travel Vaccination Certificate (commonly known as the Yellow Book) with them.

Chedi Jagan International Airport Customs Contact Number (CJIA Office):+592-261-3389.

The contact phone number for Ogo International Airport is+592-222-4132.

The risk level of Guyana is yellow (medium risk).                            

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens in Guyana to closely monitor the local security situation, be vigilant, strengthen prevention, and pay attention to safety. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.

public security

Guyana is one of the countries with the most severe social security situation in the Caribbean region. Serious crimes such as armed robbery, burglary, arson, and drug trafficking are frequently reported.

Special Reminder:

1、 Guyana has abundant tourism resources, but its infrastructure is not perfect, road conditions are poor, and car accidents occur frequently. It is recommended to purchase necessary personal safety and medical insurance before coming to Guyana.

2、 Avoid going out at night and also avoid solitary activities in remote areas during the day. Buses, markets, and shopping malls are areas where pickpockets are rampant and should be guarded against. When taking a taxi, you need to call the rental company to rent a car. Please do not stop the car on the road.

3、 Do not purchase endangered animal and plant products, such as crocodile specimens, snake wood, etc., to avoid being confiscated and prosecuted when returning to China through Europe and America.

4、 Avoid carrying large amounts of cash with you, do not show off your wealth in external interactions, shopping, and other activities, raise awareness of safety protection, and avoid becoming the target of illegal activities. When encountering robbery by armed criminals, remain calm and skillful in dealing with it, handle it decisively while ensuring personal safety, and report to the police in a timely manner. If necessary, you can contact the Chinese Embassy in Guyana. The embassy's 24-hour security hotline is:+ 592-624-6702.

natural disaster

Guyana is located south of the Atlantic hurricane belt, far from the center of tropical cyclones, and has hardly been affected by hurricanes. There are two dry seasons (February April, August October) and two rainy seasons (May July, November January) in a year. Due to its low-lying terrain, the capital Georgetown is about 1.5 meters below sea level during high tide in the Atlantic Ocean, relying only on a approximately 230 kilometer long seawall for protection. Due to poor drainage, floods are prone to flooding.

Special Reminder: Coastal low-lying areas such as Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, are susceptible to flooding. When traveling or investing locally, please be aware of the situation in advance to avoid unnecessary losses.

FDA

Gui is rich in rice, fish and shrimp, various tropical vegetables, and fruits. People mainly eat rice as their staple food and also consume other grains and miscellaneous cereals. The non-staple food includes tropical vegetables, fruits and melons, seafood, poultry eggs and livestock meat, and likes drinking coffee and alcoholic drinks, especially rum brewed from Sugar cane juice. Local restaurants have sophisticated food production techniques, high hygiene requirements, and generally worry free food safety. Chinese restaurants can be seen everywhere and are deeply loved by people.

The water quality of municipal tap water in Gui is poor, containing various harmful substances such as heavy metals. Do not drink tap water, please drink bottled mineral water.

Urgent Help

First aid: 913.

Fire alarm: 912.

Police officer: 911.

Number inquiry desk: 092.

24-hour Consular Protection and Assistance Duty Hotline of the Chinese Embassy in Guyana:+ 592-624-6702.

The Global Consular Protection and Service Emergency Hotline of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is+86-10-12308 or+86-10-65612308.

air traffic

Guyana currently has two international airports.

Chedi Jagan International Airport is approximately 40 kilometers away from the capital city of Georgetown, a one hour drive away. Buses and taxis operate between the airport and the city center, making it relatively convenient. It is available for takeoff and landing of large jet aircraft, mainly operated by Caribbean Airlines to countries such as the United States (New York, Miami), Canada (Toronto), Trinidad and Tobago, Panama Airlines to Cuba and Panama, American Airlines to the United States (New York, Miami), and Surinam Airlines to Suriname and the United States (Miami).

Ogo International Airport is located close to Georgetown city center and currently operates flights from Leeward Islands Airlines to Barbados. The airport also operates temporary small charter flights within the country. In addition, small airlines such as TransGuiana Airlines, Roraima Airlines, and Air Services Limited operate short haul flights within Guyana and provide flights to and from Suriname.

The contact information of major airlines is as follows:

airline company	Phone number（+592）	website
Caribbean AirlinesCaribbean Airlines	two hundred and twenty-six-one thousand two hundred and sixty two hundred and twenty-seven-one thousand two hundred and fifty two hundred and twenty-five-eight thousand and nine hundred	https://caribbean-airlines.com
Copa Airline Copa Airlines	two hundred and thirty-one-two thousand four hundred and ninety-two	https://www.copaair.com/es/web/gs
Jamaica Flyer Airlines Fly Jamaica Airlines	222-0227	http://www.fly-jamaica.com/
AMERICAN AIRLINES American Airlines		https://www.americanairlines.com
Surinam Airways Suriname Airways	two hundred and twenty-five-four thousand nine hundred and ninety-four 225-three thousand four hundred and seventy-three	http://www.flyslm.com/
Aruba Airlines Aruba Airlines		http://www.arubaairlines.com/
LIAT Liat Airlines	two hundred and twenty-two-one thousand seven hundred and twenty-five 222-1726	https://www.liat.com/
Crossing Guyanaaviation Trans Guyana Airways	two million two hundred and twenty-two thousand five hundred and twenty-five	https://transguyana.net/
Roraima Airlines Roraima Airways	225 9648	http://roraimaairways.com/static/

land transport

The total length of Guyana's highways is 7970 kilometers, mainly concentrated along the coast, with approximately 1300 kilometers of asphalt pavement.

Special reminder: Chinese driver's license cannot be directly used in Guyana. The original driver's license must be notarized in both Chinese and English by a domestic foreign-related notary office. After arriving in Guyana, the driver's license original and notarized must be presented to the Guyana tax bureau to apply for a local driver's license replacement. The processing cycle is generally about 4 weeks.

Gui's driving habits follow the system of Commonwealth countries, with right-hand drive and left-hand drive vehicles also available.

There are buses between major cities, but due to poor vehicle condition, poor road conditions, overloading and speeding, traffic accidents occur frequently. During the rainy season in Guizhou, natural disasters such as floods are common, making driving to inland areas more dangerous and roads often interrupted. Renting a car for self driving tours is not recommended.

It is recommended that domestic tourists bring necessary motion sickness medication, pay attention to traffic safety, and take self-protection measures. Pay close attention to weather conditions and choose appropriate travel dates and routes. In case of rainstorm and other bad weather, take shelter from rain and danger nearby. There is currently no public railway transportation industry in Gui.

water communication

The downstream water transportation along the coast and inland rivers of Gui is well-developed, with a total length of about 6000 kilometers of inland rivers, of which about 1077 kilometers are navigable by large and small ships. Water transportation is an important way to connect the coast and inland areas, and one of the most convenient and inexpensive means of transportation.

Georgetown, the capital city, is the largest port in the country with an average annual cargo throughput of over 3 million tons, of which more than 90% are export and transit goods. Other ports are located in areas such as New Amsterdam and Linden. Several cities have passenger ferry services along the coast and rivers, providing access to major residential areas along the route at reasonable prices and convenient and fast. However, due to the strong winds and waves on several major rivers, the level of boatmen varies greatly. There have been multiple incidents of passenger ships being capsized by strong winds and waves, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. Special attention must be paid to safety, and boarding must actively wear life jackets.

Urban transportation

The business district, functional area, and main residential area of Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, are far apart. The city's transportation mainly relies on self driving and taxis, and there are also a few bus routes running. The condition of the buses is generally poor, and passengers are crowded. There are no fixed boarding and alighting stations or route signs, the prices are cheap, and they stop at any time when called, which is relatively convenient. The price of a taxi within 5 kilometers is 3 US dollars, which is economically reasonable.  

In addition, small docks in Georgetown, Linden, and New Amsterdam provide shuttle services for people living on both sides of the river.  

Special reminder: When taking a taxi, please call the rental company's phone number to rent a car. Do not stop the car on the road.

major city

1、 Georgetown, the capital, largest city, and major port of Guyana, is the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. The area is about 40 square kilometers and the population is about 250000. Georgetown is a national processing center and distribution center for agricultural and forestry products. The city is home to large enterprises such as sugar, brewing, and wood processing, as well as the famous Starbrook market. In addition, the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community is also located in the city.

2、 Linden, located 112 kilometers from Georgetown, is an industrial city that developed due to the development of bauxite and processing industries. It is known as the "Aluminum City" of Guyana and has a population of approximately 30000, with the majority being African American residents.

3、 New Amsterdam, an important port and the administrative capital of Bobis Krentain, is one of the commercial and manufacturing centers in the coastal region, located 105 kilometers from the capital Georgetown, with a population of approximately 30000. There are sugar, rice, beef, and wood processing enterprises in the city.

Commodity prices

Guyana has abundant natural resources and considerable development potential. At present, Guyana has proven oil reserves exceeding 11 billion barrels and entered the ranks of oil producing countries in December 2019, driving rapid economic growth in Guyana. Gold, sugar, seafood, rice, bauxite, and wood are important export commodities and sources of income for the national economy. In addition, Gui produces high-quality cattle, sheep, poultry, vegetables, and tropical fruits, and is known as the "granary of the Caribbean".

The overall price level is relatively high. Except for locally produced agricultural products with slightly lower prices, other industrial products, temperate vegetables and fruits, canned and vacuum packaged foods, etc. all need to be imported from foreign countries, which are expensive.

The common currency in Guyana is the Guyana Dollar, which has a relatively stable exchange rate with the US dollar. One US dollar is equivalent to 208.5 Guyana dollars (according to data from the Bank of Guyana in 2022), and can be freely exchanged at banks and exchange offices (Cambio). Except for large hotels and restaurants, general market consumption does not accept US dollar settlement.

Accommodation, dining out, or shopping in hotels in Guyana are subject to Value Added Tax (VAT), with a tax rate of 14% of the consumer price. Generally, cash and checks are used for settlement locally, and only large hotels, restaurants, and a few shops can use Visa and Master credit cards for settlement.

The Bank of Guyana is the central bank of Guyana. Other commercial banks mainly include Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, Demerara Bank, Citizen's Bank, and several foreign banks such as Bank of Nova Scotia in Canada and Republic Bank in Trinidad and Tobago. People can easily apply for bank accounts and make deposits and withdrawals in the Georgetown area.

Please click to visit the relevant government websites: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry Commission, Investment Bureau.

Insurance Medical

Guyana's hospital facilities are outdated, with a shortage of medical equipment and drugs, limited medical technology resources, and average conditions. There are only three relatively specialized hospitals in the country - Georgetown Hospital, New Amsterdam Hospital, and Linden Hospital, but major surgeries such as heart disease and organ transplantation must be performed in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as in the United States and Canada. Chinese citizens coming to Guizhou should bring commonly used essential medicines. At present, experts from the aid medical team in Jiangsu Province, China are serving in public hospitals in Georgetown and Linden City.

Malaria and AIDS are prominent health problems in Guyuan, and the number of HIV positive people among citizens aged 15-49 years old is about 1.6% (according to the statistics of the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS in 2016).

There are six major insurance companies in Guyana, such as Demolala Mutual Life Insurance, Diamond Insurance and General Insurance Company, Guyana Cooperative Insurance Agency, Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Life Insurance Company, Hand in Hand Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Group, Guyana Insurance Company, etc., providing a variety of home, commercial, and vehicle insurance services. Please refer to the list of registered insurance companies published by the Bank of Guyana for specific information.

Customs taboos

The population of Guyana is composed of descendants of immigrants from different ethnicities and cultures. The main ethnic groups are Indian and African Americans, accounting for about 75% of the total population. In addition, there are also Native American, mixed race, and a small number of Chinese, whose customs and taboos have distinct ethnic characteristics.

Due to long-term British colonial rule in history, the social system, customs, and religious beliefs of Gui were deeply influenced by Britain, and the majority of people believe in Christianity. Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam are the three main religions in Guyana, and they generally coexist and get along well with each other.

Hinduism and Islam believers have different diets and taboos, respectively avoiding beef and pork. There are also many vegetarians. There are many taboos when visiting Hindu temples. Non Hindus are generally prohibited from entering the temple and are not allowed to wear leather clothes, shoes, belts, etc. when entering the temple.

Communications Power

The way to call China's domestic landline from Guyana is: 001+86 (China International Area Code)+domestic long-distance area code (such as 10 for Beijing, 20 for Guangzhou, 21 for Shanghai, etc.)+phone number. Dial domestic mobile phone number: 00186+domestic mobile phone number.

Guyana has two mobile communication companies, GTT and Digicel, which have gradually promoted 4G high-speed mobile broadband network services since 2019. Chinese mobile phone users who have opened international roaming services can use them locally, but due to the limited number of communication base stations, network services in remote inland areas are not ideal. Local cafes, fast food restaurants, airports, and hotels typically offer free or paid wireless internet services.

The voltage in Guyana is mainly 110 volts, occasionally 220 volts, and hotels generally provide both voltages.

Reminder: The sockets are generally made in the American and European systems and do not match with domestic sockets. You need to bring your own adapter plug.

contact information

First aid: 913.

Fire alarm: 912.

Police officer: 911.

Number inquiry desk: 092.

Police Force Rapid Response Hotline:+ 592-225-6411.

Georgetown Public Hospital:+ 592-227-8241.

Linden City Public Hospital:+ 592-444-6692.

The consultation hotline for the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Interior of Guyana is+592-2262221 or+592-2237867.