…decision demonstrates Britain’s confidence in Guyana – Pres Ali
By Jarryl Bryan
Holders of a valid Guyanese passport will no longer need to have a visa to enter the United Kingdom (UK) after November 9, following a decision by the UK to remove visitor visa requirements for Guyanese to travel to their country, for up to six months.
From left: Deputy British High Commissioner to Guyana, Judy Kpogho; British High Commissioner Jane Miller; President Dr Irfaan Ali and Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry, Elisabeth Harper
The decision to remove visitor visa restrictions for travel to the UK was announced on Tuesday during a press conference hosted by the British High Commission. According to British High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller, OBE, the removal of visa requirements is for an indefinite period.
President Dr Irfaan Ali, who was present at the press conference, described the decision as a demonstration of British confidence in Guyana. While he urged Guyanese to take up the visa-free opportunity for travel, he also cautioned them to be conscientious and not abuse the visa waiver.
“What the UK Government has done for us, is demonstrate confidence in us as a people and a country. And I think we should applaud the UK. Demonstrating that trust would go no small way in pushing others, because the UK is part of the developed world. And you can’t tell us you have security concerns beyond a certain level, that the UK doesn’t have.”
“There’s no differentiating treatment, but Guyanese must exercise responsibility. And that is what is critical for me. Because you know it takes a long time to get to these decisions. And we have raised it at the highest level, we have moved expeditiously on this. And all of us must take responsibility to ensure that the system is never abused,” President Ali said.
Meanwhile, High Commissioner Miller expressed the hope that the lifting of visa restrictions would also lead to more business opportunities. She noted that British Airways would also be providing direct flights between the two countries from next year.
“Since the day I arrived 15 months ago, people have spoken to me about issues regarding visas. President Ali, when he was in the UK earlier this year, raised this with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The people in the private sector, civil society, the media, many of you have talked to me about those visas.”
“So, it’s a real pleasure to deliver this news today. And this visa lift is a sign of the confidence that the UK has in the growth of our relationship. And together with the direct flight that will be happening at the end of March with British Airways, we believe this change is going to be transformative to our already strong relationship,” the diplomat further said.
President Ali meanwhile noted during the press conference that while the UK, having exited the European Union (EU), can no longer sponsor Guyana for visa-free European travel, this is being pursued aggressively by the Government.
“We have to work now on a strong bilateral within the EU, who will be the sponsoring country to push that agenda. And I can assure you that that work would have started, and started very aggressively,” he said.
Welcomed
Both the Guyana Government and the private sector have been pushing for the removal of visa restrictions for Guyanese to travel to the UK for some time. The matter has been raised at diplomatic levels, during trade missions and when President Ali visited the UK earlier this year.
In a statement following the news, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) lauded the persons who were involved in this outcome, including the President and High Commissioner Miller. They called it a demonstration of Guyana’s economic rise.
“This decision demonstrates the strength of our economy, signals the ease of travel, deepening of cooperation and collaboration between the UK and Guyana, and will bring great value to our growing private secsssssstor,” the PSC said.
Meanwhile, in a statement of its own, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) praised the development and referenced to their own efforts in lobbying for the lifting of visa restrictions.
“Since 2019, the GCCI made formal representation to the Government of the UK to remove its requirement for Guyanese nationals to obtain a visa to enter the country. Since the onset of his time at the Chamber, GCCI’s President, Mr. Timothy Tucker, has lobbied consistently for the removal of visa restrictions and today the Chamber is proud to see this initiative come to fruition.”
“The Chamber is confident now more than ever that visa-Free travel will foster deepened economic relations and promote private sector development for both countries. The GCCI continues to be a national partner in economic growth by way of private sector development,” GCCI said.
The Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) meanwhile said in a statement that this development bodes well not only for the bilateral relationship between Guyana and the UK, but also trade and free movement of Guyanese to the UK.
During his press conference, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton welcomed the development.
