Living in Guyana
This guide sets out essential information for British national residing in Guyana, including advice on health, education, residence requirements and more.
Overview
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Guyana, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Guyana. Read about how our British High Commission Georgetown can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Guyana authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British nationals abroad: A guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date: follow the British High Commission on Facebook and Instagram
Before you go
See our travel advice for Guyana for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Overseas business risk for Guyana.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Guyana in our travel advice.
The authorities in Guyana set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Guyana High Commission in the UK.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Guyana.
Check the Guyana travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Guyana
Guyana is operated under a 2-tier health care system, with both private and public health care facilities. Public health care is available free of charge to both citizens and foreign nationals. To find a facility near you, see [Ministry of Health Guyana] (http://www.health.gov.gy/).
UK travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication, you should ensure you have a supply of it or are able to obtain it when in Guyana. Certain medicines may not be available in Guyana (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into Guyana. You should consult your GP before travelling to Guyana to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Guyana
If you are planning to move to Guyana and work, you may need a visa. Read the Guyana government’s guidance on working in GUYANA as a foreign national and how to get a visa.
To apply for a job you may need to provide:
- a copy of the bio-data page of your valid passport
- passport-size photographs
- copy of business registration
- police clearance
You may be able to apply for a short term or a long-term work permit. You will have to pay a fee for your work permit.
Studying in Guyana
If you plan to study in Guyana, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Check how to get a visa.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Guyana to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Guyana so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Guyana. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Guyana.
Read guidance on:
* [paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your state pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.] (https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-if-you-go-abroad)
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
British nationals may be entitled to UK benefits while living in Guyana.
The UK basic state pension is payable in Guyana. Contact the International Pension Centre for more information on getting your pension in Guyana.
Pensions
Read state pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK state pension.
If you retire in Guyana you can claim your UK state pension or new UK state pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Life certificates for UK state pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
Guyana has many banks for the expat to choose from and two of these are international banks. The 2 international banks are Scotia Bank and Republic Bank.
A current account in Guyana is also known as a Chequing Account. There are a number of requirements which will need to be met before you can open a current account.
For information, useful Links, Guidance on Account Opening and investing your money visit Bank of Guyana.
Accommodation and buying property
Driving in Guyana
Read the guidance on what actions you must do to drive legally in Guyana. You can apply for a licence. You can also read general guidance about driving abroad.
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (e.g. the DVLA)
Read guidance for travelling by road in Guyana
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see guidance on taking vehicles out of the UK.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Guyana, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
Voting in Guyana is reserved for Guyanese citizens. British citizens residing in or visiting Guyana are not eligible to vote in local or national elections.
If you are a British citizen and wish to vote in UK elections, you may be able to register as a overseas voter. You can check if you are able to register as an overseas voter.
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Guyana, you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in Guyana read our guidance on:
-
[bereavement guidance for Guyana] (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/when-someone-dies-in-guyana)
-
[English-speaking funeral directors in Guyana] (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/funeral-directors)
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
To find full details about getting married in Guyana go to Guyana General Register Office.
Pets
If you wish to bring a pet to Guyana, please check with the Ministry of Agriculture.
Emergencies
Call 911 or 227 1149 for the police .
Call 911 to report a missing child.
Call 913 for an ambulance.
Call 912 for the fire service.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Guyana, read the guidance on what to do and where to get support in cases of rape and sexual assault.
See further guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault abroad
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission Guyana on +1 592 226 5881
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Guyana authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office makes no representation as to the quality or accuracy of the information which is available at the web address listed nor do we endorse them. We are not involved in the production or sale of the company’s products nor do we monitor their quality.
Updates to this page
-
This guidance was reviewed and updated.
-
Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
-
First published.