Remigration

1. A Guyanese who is eighteen (18) years and above, who has been residing legally overseas for a minimum of five (5) consecutive years and is now returning to Guyana.
2. A Guyanese Student/Graduate who has attended/is attending a training institution and residing overseas for a minimum of four years and is now returning to Guyana.

Contact details for the Department of Citizenship are as follows:

‘Stephen Campbell House’
Shiv. Chanderpaul Drive and Charlotte Streets
Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana
Telephone: (592) 223 -7867, 223-5210

Email: citizenship@doc.gov.gy

Applications must be submitted within the first three (3) months of resettlement in order to establish re-migrant status.

1. Current Passport which must be at least five years old. If the passport is less than five (5) years old, then previous passport must be submitted.
2. In the case of students as mentioned at 1 (b) evidence from the University, College or Educational Institution confirming the duration of the course of study or time spent at the institution.
3. Documentary evidence of how the potential re-migrant intends to earn a livelihood in Guyana to re-establish permanent stay.
4. A Statutory Declaration, which must be prepared by a Justice of Peace or Commissioner of Oats to Affidavits in Guyana and which must include the following:
5. That the items for which exemptions are sought are for personal and domestic use and not for sale or exchange.
   • Whether the re-migrant has previously/never enjoyed tax exemptions.
   • The model, year and the engine capacity of the vehicle for which exemptions are being sought.
   • That the re-migrant will reside in Guyana for not less than three (3) years, failing which all exemptions granted become immediately payable.
   • A list of items for which exemptions are sought must be attached to the affidavit.
6. Two passport size photographs.
7. Registration/Title and Insurance of vehicle and Drivers’ License from the country where re-migrant resided to confirm that vehicle is owned and used by the applicant at least six (6) months at the time of the application for re-migrant status if option 5(d) below is exercised.
8. In the case of pensioners, a bus pass or a letter from the Social Security Agency from the country in which they are migrating.

Exemption from duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) are given on the following:

1. A reasonable quantity of personal effects.
2. A reasonable quantity of household effects including domestic and electrical appliances.
3. A limited amount of tools of trade
4. 1 Motor Vehicle, 1 Motor cycle and 1 leisure boat that are owned by the re-migrant at least six (6) months before the application for re-migrant status.   Documentary evidence must be provided as noted below:

   The applicant must present the Registration/Title and Insurance of the motor vehicle as well as a Drivers’ License to confirm that the vehicle is owned and used by the applicant at least six (6) months at the time of the application for re-migrant status.The acceptable tint level on motor vehicles is 65% light penetration.  A permit for factory-tinted vehicles can be obtained from the Ministry of Public Security.

   An alternative to option (d) above, allows the re-migrant a duty-free exemption on the purchase of a Motor Vehicle procured in Guyana provided it does not exceed an engine capacity of 2500cc. The re-migrant must produce a Quotation, from the dealer, that specifies the engine capacity, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and description of the vehicle, valid Identification, as well as the Drivers’ License from the country where the re-migrant was located. This option must be exercised at the time of applying for re-migrant status.

In the case of a motor vehicle, the re-migrant must pay the excise tax at the rate of 5% or 10% of the CIF value depending on the cubic capacity (cc) of the vehicle and as stipulated in Table A-2 of Section 15 of the Excise Tax Act 2005 – Less than 1500cc to 1800cc – 5%, l801cc to 2000cc – 10%, 2001cc – 3000cc – 10%, above 3000 cc – 10%.

In the case of firearms and TV/Satellite Dishes, approval must first be obtained from the Ministry of Public Security and the National Frequency Management Unit respectively.

Applications submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be processed within seven (7) working days provided that all necessary information is submitted.
It should be noted that the approval from the department of Citizenship signifies that the applicant qualifies for re-migrant status and consequently duty-free concessions.    However, the level of duty-free concessions is determined by the Guyana Revenue Authority following the examination of the documents submitted and an interview with the re-migrant.

The approval letter is valid for six months.

The approval letter by the Department of Citizenship cannot be modified or amended after it is issued. Re-migrants are therefore encouraged to ensure that they gather and submit all the relevant documents that are required and those which support their application before the application form is submitted to the Remigration Unit for processing.

For more information on the Re-migrant Scheme please send email to citizenship@doc.gov.gy