Seize investment, citizenship opportunities – Foreign Secretary to Guyanese Diaspora

Warning the diaspora not to procrastinate on seeking out opportunities in Guyana, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud has drawn attention to the fact that increasing numbers of non-nationals are seeking to become either citizens or residents of Guyana.

Over the weekend, the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Diaspora Unity made an outreach to the Guyanese diaspora in Canada, through a job fair.
The Toronto job fair was attended by officials who included the Guyanese Foreign Secretary, who affirmed that Guyana is such an attractive investment destination, its passport is now considered a golden one.
“There was a time when people use to travel, when they use to hide this passport away. Now this passport is considered a golden passport across the world. And I say that because not only are Guyanese very eager to hold the Guyana passport, but we also see non-Guyanese themselves seeking to become citizens or residents of Guyana. And that tells you what is taking place in the country,” Persaud said.
With that in mind, Persaud noted that the Government of Guyana is making a concerted effort to reach the Guyanese diaspora and get them to come home. He cited Guyana Office of Investment (GO-Invest) CEO Dr Peter Ramsaroop, who was also in attendance and had urged the diaspora not to be left behind.
“That is why we have deliberately set out to come to the diaspora. Dr Ramsaroop made the plea very well. He said, don’t be left behind. I would go further and say don’t be left out,” the Foreign Secretary said.
“Because at some point in time, if the diaspora does not take up the opportunities, there would not be opportunities. Because the country’s development is so rapid, the country cannot wait on persons who are procrastinating and unsure, because others will fill that gap.”
A golden passport is one offered by programmes geared at attracting investments into a country, allowing investors a pathway to residency and/or citizenship in their chosen investment destination.
Since 2020, there has been a steady increase in visitors to Guyana. For instance, the Guyana Consulate in New York processed nearly 10,000 passport applications and issued over 100 visitor visas in 2024, reflecting a growing interest in travel to Guyana.
In an interview earlier this year, the Guyana Consul General, Michael Brotherson, had revealed that the consulate processed 8,955 Guyanese passport applications in 2022, 9,078 in 2023, and 9,996 in 2024, showing a steady increase in demand. Brotherson had noted that this trend highlights a rising desire among Guyanese nationals to return home, whether for visits or permanent relocation.
Similarly, visa issuance has also surged. In 2022, the consulate issued 29 visitor visas from applicants of 14 different countries. That number increased to 72 visas from 20 countries in 2023 and jumped to 125 visas from 30 countries in 2024.
This growth, Brotherson had highlighted, suggests that Guyana is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for international visitors. Additionally, the Consul General outlined the procedures for Guyanese nationals who lose their passports.
He had explained that those in urgent situations caan obtain an Emergency Travel Certificate, allowing them a one-way trip back to Guyana, highlighting that the consulate assists with reporting lost passports to the police and provides documentation to facilitate travel.
Canada has one of the largest Guyanese diaspora populations outside of Guyana’s shores. There has already been significant interest from Guyanese/Canadians, in reinvesting in their homeland. This includes the ‘Timehri Sands Golf & Country Club (G&CC)’, for which the sod was already turned.