New technology sees delivery of thousands of passports to overseas-based Guyanese

Last Updated on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, 22:48 by Writer

A new system for processing passport applications for the Guyanese diaspora has seen the provision of at least 70,000 of those travel documents, foreign affairs minister Hugh Todd said on Wednesday.

“We have a new technology in issuing of the passports and over the last five years we have processed close to approximately 70,000 passports for persons living in the diaspora,” he told the National Assembly during debate on this year’s national budget.

He did not say how many of them are foreign persons of Guyanese descent.

Mr Todd said the foreign ministry planned to “ramp up” processing new passports as part of the Guyana government’s thrust to attract Guyanese back home to reside or visit. “For those persons who may not have had or renewed their passports for many decades, in some cases decades, we want to ensure that they can have their passports because for them that is bringing their identity back and giving them an opportunity to return home, even to visit,” he said.

He said there were instances of Guyanese moving their businesses back to this country or partnering with businesses here. 

The foreign affairs minister also said his ministry assisted about 2,162 overseas-based Guyanese to remigrate and be part of Guyana’s development agenda.

He said the government was keen on tapping into the human capital to return and “be a good fit in areas where we have a need for their level of competency.”