IMPACT – HIGH

Guyana recently announced additional restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Key points: 

  • Operations at the Cheddi Jagan and Eugene F. Correia International airports have been suspended until May 1. It is now forbidden to travel to countries that border Guyana. Seaports remain closed to international vessels, with the exception of merchant ships.
  • All non-essential businesses are now closed until May 1, and a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. has been implemented.
  • Public servants are now working on a system of rotational shifts.

Analysis & Comments: The additional travel restrictions will impact the movement of people to Guyana. Employers should account for affected travelers and rearrange travel schedules accordingly. Significant delays may occur for consular and in-country processing. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Guyana government recently announced new travel and immigration restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Key points:

  • Effective from midnight on March 18, international flights at the Eugene F. Correia International airport and the Cheddi Jagan International airport are suspended for two weeks.
  • From March 14, until further notice, the ferry service between Suriname and Guyana is suspended

Analysis & Comments:  The new travel and immigration services changes will impact the movement of people to Guyana. Employers should account for affected travelers and rearrange travel schedules accordingly.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Guyana is now requiring that applications for visas and work permits in the oil and gas industry include a copy of the employment agreement with the sponsoring entity.

What does the change mean? Foreign nationals working in the oil and gas industry who are applying for work-related visas and permits must now submit a copy of their employment agreement. Oil and gas workers who are not on a local contract must have a sponsor letter detailing the relationship between the receiving entity in Guyana and the sending entity. The requirements apply to all work permit applications, including renewals.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: All work-related visas and permits.
  • Who is affected: Foreign nationals working in the oil and gas industry in Guyana and their employers.
  • Business impact: The additional documentation requirement complicates the application process.
  • Next steps: Employers in the oil and gas industry in Guyana should be aware of the change when submitting initial and renewal work permit applications for employees.

Background: Guyana began introducing stricter documentation requirements for work permits last year that included medical and police clearances.

Analysis & Comments: The new requirement indicates Guyana is continuing to implement stricter documentation requirements for foreign national workers, and employers should anticipate further changes and restrictions. Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes or restrictions as information becomes available.

Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Guyana is strictly enforcing rules that require work permit applicants to provide medical reports and police clearance certificates.

What does the change mean? Work permit applicants should be prepared to provide these documents when they lodge an application. Documents must be translated into English if they were originally in another language. The requirements apply to all work permit applications, including renewals and pending applications.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Work permits, including renewals and pending applications.
  • Who is affected: Employers and foreign nationals applying for work authorization.
  • Impact on processing times: Processing may be delayed if medical reports and police clearance certificates are not provided.
  • Business impact: Businesses may need to adjust timelines and start dates for employees whose applications are delayed.

Background: Rules requiring medical reports and police clearance certificates were already in place in Guyana, but applications were routinely approved even when this documentation was not provided. That has changed, however, with authorities saying they have taken steps to enforce these rules more strictly because of security concerns.

Analysis & Comments: Employers in Guyana should be aware of the change and should aim to obtain the additional documents early in the application process, if possible. Those with pending applications may be asked to provide the documents before authorities decide on their applications.

Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.