Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America. It is here that you can find incredible landscapes with waterfalls. Find out more about the list of documents and rules for entering the country, as well as the current rules for motorists

Travel to the countries of South America is currently very popular among tourists. Ancient civilizations, millions of square kilometers of dense jungle and rich culture attract tourists from different parts of the world to the region.

One of the pearls of the continent is Guyana - a small state on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. The country is home to one of the largest tracts of virgin rainforest on the planet, covering 270 million hectares or about 8% of the country's area. Also, Guyana is known for a large number of waterfalls and rivers. Translated from the Indian language, "Gayana" means "Land of many waters".

The main tourist attractions of Guyana can be considered Kaiter Falls and St. George's Cathedral.

A certain advantage for tourists who are tired of the crowds of travelers will be the fact that Guyana receives only a few hundred thousand visitors a year, most of whom do not leave the capital Georgetown. For comparison, Guyana receives the same number of travelers per week as Machu Picchu in Peru, about 4,000 people.

Connoisseurs of ecotourism should visit this wonderful country. The rules of entry to Guyana are further.

List of documents and rules for entry into Guyana

Visa-free regime

Citizens of more than 50 countries of the world have the right to visa-free entry to Guyana, including most EU countries, Canada, USA, Australia, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, South Korea, Caribbean countries, etc.

The visa-free stay is from 14 days (Lesotho) to 6 months (Dominica, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis).

Citizens of Guatemala, Haiti (for business travelers) and Mexico do not need to apply for a Guyana visa for stays of up to 90 days if they already have a valid Schengen visa or a visa issued by Canada or the US.

Visa on arrival

Citizens of Bolivia and the United Arab Emirates can obtain a Guyana visa on arrival. You do not need to go to a Guyana embassy or consulate to apply for a short-term visa.

To obtain a Guyana tourist visa upon arrival, you must:

- Two passport size photos.

- Letter of invitation from a sponsor in Guyana.

- Sponsor's name and contact information in Guyana.

- The address where you will stay during your stay in Guyana.

- Confirmation that you have the funds to finance your stay.

If you do not have a letter of invitation/sponsorship or approval from the Home Office, you will not receive a visa on arrival.

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Visa

Citizens of the rest of the world must obtain a visa to travel to Guyana. A Guyana tourist visa — also known as a "visitor visa" — is issued to foreigners who plan to visit Guyana for the purpose of tourism. It is usually a one-time visa and is issued for a period of up to 30 days, but you have the right to apply for a visa extension two more times for 30 days before the current visa expires. This means you can stay in Guyana for up to three months as a tourist on one trip.

If you get a multiple entry tourist visa, it will be valid for 1 year. It is prohibited to work in Guyana on the basis of a tourist visa.

An application for a Guyana visa is submitted at the Guyana embassy or consulate in the country of residence. Each embassy or consulate has its own requirements and application procedure. The list of documents will vary depending on the type of visa you need and the country where you are applying. An approximate list of documents is below.

List of documents for obtaining a tourist visa to Guyana:

- Passport, the validity of which must be at least 6 months.

- Three completed copies of the application form for a visa to Guyana.

- Two visa photos.

- Proof of residence in Guyana (eg hotel reservation).

- Proof that you have the necessary financial resources to pay for your trip to Guyana.

- Letter of invitation from person/company in Guyana (if applicable).

The cost of a tourist visa to Guyana is $25.

Vaccination

Yellow fever vaccination is required for travel to Guyana. It is also recommended to take out a health insurance policy.

Transit through Guyana

To apply for a transit visa upon arrival in Guyana, you must have the following documents:

- a foreign passport with a validity period of at least 6 months;

- A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate;

- confirmation of further travel, i.e. travel route to the final destination;

- proof of residence in case of an overnight stay in Guyana;

- sufficient amount of funds to pay for a stay in Guyana for a day.

Quarantine restrictions due to the COVID-19 epidemic

Effective October 7, 2022, Guyana's Ministry of Health has lifted quarantine restrictions for entry into Guyana due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The tourist does not need to take any tests for COVID-19 before traveling or after arrival. Passengers are also no longer required to complete a Passenger Search form as a requirement for entry into Guyana.

Traveling with animals

To enter Guyana with pets, it is necessary for the animal to have a microchip, to be vaccinated against rabies (no earlier than 30 days before crossing the border and no later than 1 year), and a veterinary certificate filled out before the trip. Treatment for ticks is optional, but recommended.

Animals imported into Guyana from Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Dominica, Ireland, Jamaica, Montserrat, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Great Britain are not subject to quarantine as the countries are considered free from rabies. Upon entry from other countries, the animal is subject to mandatory quarantine for up to 90 days.

Customs regulations in Guyana

The amount of imported foreign currency is not limited, however, if its amount exceeds the equivalent of $10,000, then declaration is mandatory. Import and export of local currency is limited to 200 Guyanese dollars.

Duty-free import of up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 0.5 pounds (225 grams) of tobacco is permitted; up to 750ml of wine and up to 750ml of spirits, as well as a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.

Duty-free import of clothing, video, audio and photographic equipment is allowed within the limits of personal needs.

It is prohibited to import drugs, weapons and ammunition without a special permit.

The export of gold, silver and precious stone products, wood products, stamps, coins, etc. is allowed from Guyana with mandatory official confirmation of the legality of their purchase.

Useful information for motorists

If a tourist plans to rent a car in Guyana, he must obtain a driver's permit issued by the Guyana Revenue Authority. This can be done at the special office at Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

To get a permit, you must:

- Provide a valid driver's license (from the tourist's country of origin) to the licensing officer.

- Local address while in Guyana.

- Answer the officer's questions.

- After issuance, the driver's license is valid for one month.

Safety rules in Guyana for tourists

- Be especially vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.

- Be attentive to your surroundings.

- Avoid walking or traveling by car at night.

- Do not physically resist a robbery attempt.

- Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.

- Prepare an emergency action plan.

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Travel insurance for international students in Guyana.

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