President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday confirmed that the government’s long-awaited online passport application portal is in its final stages of development and will be operational before the end of 2025.
The Head of State made the announcement during a press conference at the Office of the President, noting that the new system forms part of his administration’s wider digital transformation agenda.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had first signaled the introduction of the online application system in February, explaining that while citizens are still required to submit applications in person at passport offices across the country, the new platform will allow for remote applications. The ministry had noted that this will streamline the process, reduce wait times, and improve overall service delivery.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has confirmed that effective immediately, the Central Immigration and Passport Office, under the Guyana Police Force, has begun issuing the new Co-operative Republic of Guyana ten-year passport.
This upgraded passport, which forms a central part of President Ali’s modernisation drive, carries advanced security features, including an embedded electronic chip and biometric enrollment such as fingerprinting. The new design also embraces the “One Guyana” theme, showcasing national unity and cultural diversity.
Applicants can now choose between a five-year and a ten-year validity period. The fee for a standard five-year passport remains at G$6,000, while the ten-year option will cost G$12,000.
Authorities have advised that persons who applied on or before February 7, 2025, will still receive the previous version of the passport, while all applications made from February 10 onwards will be issued the new e-passport.
As part of efforts to guard against abuse of the system, the government is reviewing the policy on replacing lost or damaged passports. While the current rules remain in effect, officials signaled that future measures may include extended waiting periods for replacements to deter fraudulent claims.
The Central Immigration and Passport Office has urged citizens to remain patient during this transition and assured that further updates, including the activation date of the online application system, will be announced in the coming months.
