A quick guide for U.S. Citizens living in Guyana

Oct 18, 2026 Features / Columnists, News

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Ask-the-Consul Installment 26-10 

(Kaieteur News) – In this month’s Ask-the-Consul, we’re talking about life as a U.S. citizen in Guyana. Maybe you moved here for a job in the energy sector, retired to be near family, or followed your heart to Georgetown. Whatever brought you here, we want your time in Guyana to be safe and productive. Here are the questions we hear most often.

Q: I just moved to Guyana. What should I do first? 

A: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov. It’s free and takes about five minutes. Once you enroll, we can send you security alerts, weather warnings, and important updates. In an emergency, we can also find you more easily. If you change your phone number, email, or address, update your profile so our messages reach you.

Q: My passport expires in a few months. Can I renew it in Guyana?

 A: Certainly! It’s easy to renew your passport here in Guyana. You can find current procedures, forms, and fees on our website at https://gy.usembassy.gov/passports/. Don’t wait until it expires. Check the expiration date and renew it well in advance.

Pro tip: Keep a photocopy or secure digital scan of your passport’s photo page and your Guyanese entry stamp or residence permit. If your passport is lost or stolen, that copy will make replacing it much faster.

Q: We just welcomed a baby in Georgetown. Is our child a U.S. citizen?

 A: Congratulations on your new baby! Your child may have acquired U.S. citizenship at birth, depending on your circumstances. To document that citizenship, apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). You can apply for your child’s first U.S. passport at the same appointment. Apply soon after the birth. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to gather the evidence we need, such as proof of the U.S. citizen parent’s physical presence in the United States.

Q: What can the Embassy do for me as a U.S. citizen?

 A: We can help with a lot! The Consular Section can:

• Issue and replace passports, including emergency passports
• Document children born abroad (CRBAs)
• Provide notarial services for documents you need to use in the United States
• Visit U.S. citizens who are arrested, check on their welfare, and provide a list of local attorneys
• Help families when a U.S. citizen dies in Guyana
• Contact your family or friends during an emergency, with your permission
• Help victims of crime connect with local resources
• Share information on federal benefits, voting, and taxes

Q: And what can’t the Embassy do?

 A: Most people don’t realize it, but we cannot:

• Get you out of jail or override Guyanese law
• Act as your lawyer or give legal advice
• Pay your hotel, medical, or legal bills
• Intervene in private disputes, such as business, property, or landlord issues
• Sponsor you for Guyanese residency or work permits

When you live in Guyana, Guyanese law applies to you, whether you have a U.S. passport or not.

Q: Can I vote from Guyana?

 A:Yes, you can. Visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program at fvap.gov to register and request your absentee ballot. Submit a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) every year and whenever you move. Your vote counts whether you cast it in New York or in Guyana.

Q: I receive Social Security. Will I still get my benefits in Guyana? 

A:In most cases, yes. Direct deposit into a U.S. account or an eligible local account keeps things simple. The U.S. Embassy in Argentina handles Social Security benefits for beneficiaries living in Guyana. Please see https://ar.usembassy.gov/social-security-2/ for more information.

Q: I’m thinking about investing in Guyana. Can the Embassy help? 

A: Yes, but this is not a Consular function. Our Economic and Commercial Sections work to help U.S. businesses succeed in Guyana. You can learn more about commercial activities and investment prospects in Guyana at https://gy.usembassy.gov/business/.

Q: Do I still have to file U.S. taxes if I live in Guyana? 

A: Yes, U.S. citizens must file U.S. tax returns no matter where they live. You may also have to report foreign bank accounts (FBAR) if your balances exceed certain thresholds. Visit irs.gov and search “U.S. citizens abroad,” or talk with a tax professional who knows expatriate tax rules.

Q: I heard about the CLV program.  How can I volunteer?

A: We’d love your help!  Citizen Liaison Volunteers (CLVs) are U.S. citizens who help the Embassy stay in touch with U.S. citizens in their area.  They pass along security alerts, tell us about local conditions during emergencies, and help us check on fellow citizens when their families can’t reach them. You don’t need any special skills. We just need people who know their community and want to help. We especially need volunteers in areas like Lethem, Mahdia, Mabaruma, Essequibo, Berbice, and Linden, where travel and communication can be more complicated. To sign up, please email us at: ACSGeorge@state.gov.  In your email, please USE THIS SUBJECT LINE: E99 – CLV INTEREST.

Q: How can I contact the Embassy during an emergency?

A: We are available by phone 24/7 for life-or-death emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Guyana. If you need emergency assistance, please call:

 During Business Hours:225-4900 Ext:4222

After Business Hours:225-4126

Email:ACSGeorge@state.gov

Please note that these numbers are not for visa inquiries. For information on visas, please see https://gy.usembassy.gov/visas/. For non-emergency services, kindly schedule at appointment online: https://gy.usembassy.gov/services/.

 Stay safe, stay informed, and enjoy everything Guyana has to offer. We’re here for you!

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“Ask the Consul” is a monthly column from the U.S. Embassy answering questions about U.S. immigration law and other Consular topics.  Detailed information about visas can be viewed at https://gy.usembassy.gov/, https://ais.usvisa-info.com/,and https://travel.state.gov/.  Information about American Citizen Services can be found at https://gy.usembassy.gov/services/.

 Applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare their own documents and avoid third-party advice.  Consular processes change frequently, and non-U.S. government advisors often provide inadequate or inaccurate information.  Please contact our Visa Information Service Center using the contact information at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gy/niv/information/contact_us if you have general visa questions.

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• Ask the Consul, Guide, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, U.S. Citizens

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