Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud has revealed that there is an increase in the number of nonnationals seeking to become either citizens or residents of Guyana, in light of growing opportunities in the country.
He was at the time speaking during a job fair to the Guyanese diaspora in Canada which was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diaspora Unit.
The Toronto job fair was attended by a number of officials including the Foreign Secretary, who affirmed that Guyana’s passport is now considered a golden one.
“There was a time when people use to travel, when they use to hide this passport away. Now this passport is considered a golden passport across the world. And I say that because not only Guyanese are very eager to hold the Guyana passport, but we also see non-Guyanese themselves seeking to become citizens or residents of Guyana. And that tells you what is taking place in the country,” Persaud expressed.
Since 2020, there has been a steady increase in visitors to Guyana. For instance, the Guyana Consulate in New York processed nearly 10,000 passport applications and issued over 100 visitor visas in 2024, reflecting a growing interest in travel to Guyana.
In an interview earlier this year, the Guyana Consul General, Michael Brotherson, had revealed that the consulate processed 8,955 Guyanese passport applications in 2022, 9,078 in 2023, and 9,996 in 2024, showing a steady increase in demand. Brotherson had noted that this trend highlights a rising desire among Guyanese nationals to return home, whether for visits or permanent relocation.
Similarly, visa issuance has also surged. In 2022, the consulate issued 29 visitor visas from applicants of 14 different countries. That number increased to 72 visas from 20 countries in 2023 and jumped to 125 visas from 30 countries in 2024.
This growth, Brotherson had highlighted, suggests that Guyana is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for international visitors.
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