New agreement, no visa required Guyanese travellers to UK

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Guyana, October 29, 2022 – Starting November 9, Guyanese who wish to visit the United Kingdom for six months or less will now be able to do so without a Visa.

The historic move was announced by the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, on Tuesday, October 18.

The high commissioner said that the visa waiver “is a real sign of the confidence that the UK has in the growth of our [the two country’s] relationship.”

Visas are still required for those seeking a long-term stay in the UK for more than 180 days or wanting to work or study in the country.

Together with the direct flight with British Airways scheduled to commence by the end of March 2023, Miller said she anticipates a transformative change to the already strong relationship between Guyana and the UK.

President Irfaan Ali welcomed the announcement and said Guyana will be working closely with the UK in strengthening the systems to ensure there is proper monitoring.

He also noted that given the increased demand for Guyanese citizenship, the Government of Guyana is working on strengthening the structures to ensure persons are not abusing the system.

Guyana is UK’s largest trading partner in the Caribbean.  Trade between the two nations in 2021 amounted to £516 million and accounted for 21.6 per cent of all the UK’s trade with the Caribbean.