Moving to Guyana: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

750,204

Population - note

Note: Estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS

this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population Growth Rate

-0.21%

Urban Population

28.400000

Population in Major Urban Areas

GEORGETOWN (capital) 127,000

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Age Structure

27.120000

Median Age

24.500000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

16

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

7.18

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.21

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

42.5%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

42.5%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

18.8

Mother's mean age at first birth

18.8

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-11.21

Ethnic Groups

East Indian 50%, black 36%, Amerindian 7%, white, Chinese, and mixed 7%

Nationality Noun

Guyanese (singular and plural)

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Literacy - total population

98.8%

Literacy - male

99.1%

Literacy - female

98.5%

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over has ever attended school

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

3.2%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

10.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

67.680000

Infant Mortality Rate

34.450000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

34.450000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

280

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.21

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

2

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

5.9%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

Very high

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

17.2%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

96.600000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

87.900000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

11.1%

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Economic Overview

The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries.

The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities - sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice - which represent nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices.

Guyana closed or consolidated several sugar estates in 2017, reducing production of sugar to a forecasted 147,000 tons in 2018, less than half of 2017 production.

Much of Guyana's growth in recent years has come from a surge in gold production.

With a record-breaking 700,000 ounces of gold produced in 2016, Gold production in Guyana has offset the economic effects of declining sugar production.

In January 2018, estimated 3.2 billion barrels of oil were found offshore and Guyana is scheduled to become a petroleum producer by March 2020.

Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy in January 2006 broadened the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector.

Guyana has experienced positive growth almost every year over the past decade.

Inflation has been kept under control.

Recent years have seen the government's stock of debt reduced significantly - with external debt now less than half of what it was in the early 1990s.

Despite these improvements, the government is still juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment.

In March 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana's principal donor, canceled Guyana's nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to 21% of GDP, which along with other Highly Indebted Poor Country debt forgiveness, brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to 52% in 2017.

Guyana had become heavily indebted as a result of the inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s.

Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure.

Industries

Bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$7,200.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.2%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$14,690,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$7,200.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.2%

GDP - official exchange rate

$3,203,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 90.7% Government
• consumption: 13.3% Investment in fixed
• capital: 22.3% Investment in
• inventories: -13.4% Exports of goods and
• services: 48.4% Imports of goods and
• services: -61.3%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

21.8%

GDP by Sector- Industry

25.3%

GDP by Sector- services

52.9%

Industrial Growth Rate

2.5%

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Inflation Rate

6.8%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Guyanese dollar (GYD)

Currency Name and Code

Guyana Dollar (GYD)

Fiscal Year

Calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

13.8%

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Labor Force

333,900

Unemployment Rate

11%

Major Industries

Bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining

Agriculture Products

• Sugar, rice, wheat, vegetable oils
• beef, pork, poultry, dairy products
• fish (shrimp)

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

30,255

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

16%

Annual Budget

$619,500,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-6.4%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

25.1%

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Full Country Name

Cooperative Republic of Guyana

Country Name

Guyana

Former Name

British Guiana

Etymology- history of name

The name is derived from Guiana, the original name for the region that included British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, and French Guiana

ultimately the word is derived from an indigenous Amerindian language and means "Land of Many Waters" (referring to the area's multitude of rivers and streams)

Independence

26 May 1966 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Republic Day, 23 February (1970)

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Government Type

Parliamentary republic

Constitution

• History: Several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980
• Amendments: Proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, such as national sovereignty, government structure and powers, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires approval by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum, and assent of the president; other amendments only require Assembly approval; amended many times, last in 2016

Legal System:

Common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence

Executive Branch:

• Chief of State: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); First Vice President Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); Vice President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 2 August 2020); Prime Minister Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
• Head of Government: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); First Vice President Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); Vice President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 2 August 2020)
• Cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly
• Elections/Appointments: The predesignated candidate of the winning party in the last National Assembly election becomes president for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister appointed by the president
• Election results: 2020: Mohammed Irfaan ALI (PPP/C) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly 2015: David GRANGER (APNU-AFC) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly

Legislative Branch:

• Description: Unicameral National Assembly (70 seats; 40 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituencies, 25 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - all by closed-list proportional representation vote, 2 non-elected ministers, 2 non-elected parliamentary secretaries, and the speaker; members serve 5-year terms)
• Elections: Last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025)
• Election Results: Percent of vote by party - PPP/C 50.69%, APNU-AFC 47.34%, LJP 0.58%, ANUG 0.5%, TNM 0.05%, other 0.84%; seats by party - PPP/C 33, APNU-AFC 31, LJP-ANUG-TNM 1; composition (elected and non-elected) - men 45, women 25, percent of women 35.7%;
• Note: the initial results were declared invalid and a partial recount was conducted from 6 May to 8 June 2020, in which PPP/C was declared the winner

Judicial Branch:

• office: Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president; other judges of both courts appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a body appointed by the president; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 65
• Subordinate courts: Land Court; magistrates' courts

Regions or States:

10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo

Political Parties and Leaders:

• A New and United Guyana or ANUG [Ralph RAMKARRAN]
• A Partnership for National Unity or APNU [Joseph HARMON]
• Alliance for Change or AFC [Khemraj RAMJATTAN]
• Justice for All Party [Chandra Narine SHARMA]
• Liberty and Justice Party or LJP [Lenox SHUMAN]
• National Independent Party or NIP [Saphier Husain SUBEDAR]
• People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Dr. Bharrat JAGDEO]
• The New Movement or TNM [Dr. Asha KISSOON]
• The United Force or TUF [Marissa NADIR]
• United Republican Party or URP [Vishnu BANDHU]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: Yes Citizenship by descent
• only: Yes Dual citizenship
• recognized: No Residency requirement for
• naturalization: NA

Capital Name

Georgetown

Capital - geographic coordinate

6 48 N, 58 09 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• AOSIS
• Caricom
• CD
• CDB
• CELAC
• FAO
• G-77
• IADB
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• ISO (correspondent)
• ITU
• LAES
• MIGA
• NAM
• OAS
• OIC
• OPANAL
• OPCW
• PCA
• Petrocaribe
• PROSUR
• UN
• UNASUR
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Sarah-Ann LYNCH (since 13 March 2019)
• Embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown
• Mailing Address: 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170
• Telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909
• FAX: [592] 225-8497
• Email: acsgeorge@state.gov
• Website: https://gy.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Samuel Archibald HINDS (since 7 July 2021)
• Chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900
• FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297
• Email: guyanaembassydc@verizon.net
• Consulate(s) General: New York

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Geographic Location

South America

Geographic Coordinates

5 00 N, 59 00 W

Total Area

83,000 Square Miles 214,969 Square Kilometers

Land Area

76,003 Square Miles 196,849 Square Kilometers

Water Area

6,996 Square Miles 18,120 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

1,832 Miles 2,949 Kilometers

Border Countries

Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km

Coastline

285 Miles 459 Kilometers

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Terrain

Mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Highest Point

2,835 Meters

Highest Point Location

Mount Roraima 2,835 m

Lowest Point Location

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

Bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

Irrigated Land

580 Square Miles 1,501 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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Climate

Guyana's climate is typical of most tropical countries.

Humidity ranges from an average low of 68% in October to 77% in May, and an average high of 79% in October to 86% in May through August.

The average annual mean (AAM) is 73% in the afternoons and 83% in the mornings.

Minimum temperatures in Georgetown, on the coast, range between 22-26°C (71-80°F) year around, with an AAM low of 75.

Maximum temperatures range between 28-32°C (83-90°F), year around, with an AAM high of 86.

The sea breezes (east-northeast trade winds) significantly mitigate the heat on the coast.

The coastal area typically has two wet seasons: May to mid-August, when about 40% of the total annual precipitation falls, and December to mid-January, which receive another 20%.

However, occasional rain may fall at any time of the year.

Georgetown and the coast average 90 inches of rainfall annually; in the interior, 60-150 inches occur.

Terrain

Mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Location

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela

Total Area

83,000 Square Miles 214,969 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km

Environment - Current Issues

Water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation

Environment - International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

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Exports

$814,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$1,366,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Sugar, gold, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber

Major Imports

Manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food

Top Export Partners

Canada 26.3%, US 22.3%, UK 13%, Jamaica 5.1%, Portugal 5.1%, Belgium 4.2% 0

Top Import Partners

US 25.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 16%, Netherlands Antilles 13.7%, Italy 6.6%, UK 5.5%, Cuba 4.4% 0

Export Partners

Canada 26.3%, US 22.3%, UK 13%, Jamaica 5.1%, Portugal 5.1%, Belgium 4.2% 0

Import Partners

US 25.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 16%, Netherlands Antilles 13.7%, Italy 6.6%, UK 5.5%, Cuba 4.4% 0

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Country Description

Guyana is a developing nation on the north coast of South America.

Tourist facilities are generally not developed, except for a few hotels in the capital city of Georgetown and a limited number of eco-resorts.

The vast majority of Guyanese nationals live along the coast, leaving the interior largely unpopulated and undeveloped.

Travel in the interior of Guyana can be difficult; many interior regions can only be reached by plane or boat, and the limited roads are often impassable in the rainy seasons.

Safety & Security

Demonstrations and protests are rare in Georgetown.

Past demonstrations have not been directed at U.S. citizens, and violence against U.S. citizens in general is not common.

You should nevertheless remain alert and take prudent personal security measures to deal with the unexpected while in Guyana.

It is advisable to avoid areas where crowds have congregated and to maintain a low profile when moving about Georgetown and other Guyanese locales.

As with any elections, demonstrations and protests can occur.

The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens to be cautious and vigilant, particularly near any sites associated with political activity.

Most major eco-tourist resorts and hotels in Guyana do not have written emergency plans in place, and many of them have safety deficiencies, including a lack of easily identifiable lifeguards, or none at all.

Many of these resorts also do not have adequately stocked first aid supplies.

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Crime

Serious crime, including murder and armed robbery, continues to be a major problem.

The murder rate in Guyana is three times higher than the murder rate in the United States.

Armed robberies continue to occur intermittently, especially in major business and shopping districts.

Hotel room strong-arm break-ins also occur; you should use caution when opening your hotel room doors and should safeguard any valuables left in hotel rooms.

Criminals may act brazenly, and police officers themselves have been the victims of assaults and shootings.

When traveling in a vehicle you should keep the doors locked and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Pick pocketing, purse snatching, assault, and robbery can occur in all areas of Georgetown.

The sea wall, from east of the Pegasus Hotel extending to Sheriff Street and adjacent areas, has been the site of several crimes; you should avoid these areas after dark.

As cars parked in Georgetown have been subject to theft, you are urged to avoid leaving any valuables in vehicles left unattended and are encouraged to lock your vehicles at all times (when in or out of the vehicle).

The National Park in Georgetown and the seawall from Sheriff Road to UG Road are frequented by joggers, dog walkers, and families and are generally considered safe during daylight hours but are not recommended at all after dusk.

Petty crimes also occur in the general area of Stabroek Market and to a lesser extent in the area behind Bourda Market.

Care should be taken to safeguard personal property when shopping in these markets.

The area around St.

George's cathedral is known for having pickpockets and should be avoided after dark.

Guyana's commercial downtown between Main Street and Water Street from Lamaha Road to Stabroek Market, including "Tiger Bay," is largely deserted outside of business hours and should be avoided after dark.

U.S. passports and permanent residency cards are prized by thieves, as they may be used for smuggling and identity theft.

You should avoid walking around Georgetown alone, even in the main areas and especially after dark.

Although bandits have been known to attack taxis, they are generally safe and remain the safest means of getting around town and to and from the airport.

Only use taxis that are connected to major hotels or are painted yellow.

All yellow taxies are registered with the Government of Guyana's licensing office.

Exercise constant vigilance, and prior to entering any taxi, make note of the vehicle's license plate.

This can be used to track down the driver in the event of being overcharged or if luggage is lost.

Do not dress ostentatiously, as there have also been reports of gold chains or other jewelry being snatched off of pedestrians.

Local law-enforcement authorities are generally cooperative but lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.

Nevertheless, if you are a victim of crime you are encouraged to contact the police as well as the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S.

Embassy's Consular Section.

Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Guyana, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In Guyana you may be taken in for questioning if you don't have your passport with you.

It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings, especially government buildings.

Repercussions for driving under the influence result in a fine for the initial offense, a suspension of your license for the second offence and a jail term for succeeding offenses.

It's very important to know what's legal and what's not where you are going.

Criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States.

You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Guyana, your U.S. passport won't help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

Persons violating Guyanese laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Guyana are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Incarceration time prior to conviction and sentencing does not count toward time served.

If you are arrested in Guyana, Guyanese authorities are required by the Vienna Convention on Consular Notification to notify the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Medical care in Guyana does not meet U.S. standards.

Care is available for minor medical conditions, although quality is very inconsistent.

Emergency care and hospitalization for major medical illnesses or surgery are very limited, due to a lack of appropriately trained specialists, below standard in-hospital care, and poor sanitation.

There are very few ambulances in Guyana.

Ambulance service is limited to transportation without any medical care and is frequently not available for emergencies.

An MRI (linked to the United States for interpretation) has been installed and is operational, but results may take up to 4 days.

It is located on the compound of St.

Joseph Mercy Hospital, immediately behind the Embassy on Parade Street.

In the event of an emergency, the number for an ambulance is 913, but this number is not always operational and an ambulance may not be available.

You are advised to bring prescription medicine sufficient for your length of stay and should be aware that Guyana's humid climate may affect some medicines.

Some prescription medicines (mainly generic rather than name-brand) are available.

Special attention should be paid to HIV/AIDS in Guyana.

In addition to elevated infection rates among high-risk populations, such as commercial sex workers, and mobile populations such as miners or loggers, data from the World Health Organization estimate that Guyana has among the highest prevalence rates in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Insect borne illnesses are common and include malaria, dengue, Leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease.

Traffic Safety

While in a Guyana, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Guyana is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Driving in Guyana can be potentially very hazardous.

The rate of traffic accident fatalities in Guyana is higher than in the United States.

Cars, large commercial vehicles, horse drawn carts, bicyclists, motorcycles, free range livestock, stray dogs, pedestrians, aggressive "mini-buses" and sleeping animals all share narrow, poorly maintained roads.

Aggressive, speeding vehicles on the same roads with slow-moving vehicles makes driving in Guyana especially dangerous.

Driving at unsafe speeds, reckless driving, tail-gating, quick stops without signaling, passing at intersections, and passing on crowded streets is commonplace.

Driving at night poses additional concerns as many roads are not lit, some drivers do not lower high beam lights, livestock sleep on the road and many pedestrians congregate by the roadside.

You should exercise caution at all times while driving and avoid driving outside of Georgetown at night when possible.

The Traffic Division of Guyana's National Police Force is responsible for road safety but is ill-trained and ill-equipped.

The Department of State recommends that

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Airports - total

117

Airports with Paved Runways

11

Roadways- total

4,952 Miles 7,970 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

367 Miles 590 Kilometers

Waterways

205 Miles 330 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Bartica, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Parika

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Telephones

130,000

Cell Phones

281,400

Internet Users

190,000

Internet Country Code

.gy

Internet Hosts

8,840

Broadcast Media

• Government-dominated broadcast media
• the National Communications Network (NCN) TV is state-owned
• a few private TV stations relay satellite services
• the state owns and operates 2 radio stations broadcasting on multiple frequencies capable of reaching the entire country
• government limits on licensing of new private radio stations continue to constrain competition in broadcast media

Telephone System

• assessment: Fair system for long-distance service; microwave radio relay network for trunk lines; many areas still lack fixed-line telephone services
• Domestic: Fixed-line teledensity is about 20 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 70 per 100 persons in 2011
• International: Country code - 592; tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

667,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

821,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

10,910

Anthem History

Selected a month before independence in 1966 the lyrics were written by A.L. Lucker and the music composed by R.C.G. Potter

Anthem Lyrics English

Dear Land of Guyana Dear land of Guyana, of rivers and plains, Made rich by the sunshine and lush by the rains, Set gemlike and fair between mountains and sea, Your children salute you, dear land of the free.

Green land of Guyana, our heroes of yore, Both bondsmen and free, laid their bones on your shore; This soil so they hallowed, and from them are we, All sons of one mother, Guyana the free.

Great land of Guyana, diverse though our strains, We are born of their sacrifice, heirs of their pains, And ours is the glory their eyes did not see, One land of six peoples, united and free.

Dear land of Guyana, to you will we give Our homage, our service, each day that we live; God guard you, great Mother, and make us to be More worthy our heritage - land of the free.