By Staff Reporter
Guyanese citizens will be able to apply for passports online beginning Monday as the Immigration Support Services Department rolls out a new digital passport application and appointment system aimed at improving efficiency and reducing waiting times.
The new platform, which officially launches on June 15, 2026, will allow applicants to begin the passport application process from home and schedule appointments at their preferred passport office.
Deputy Chief Immigration Officer and Senior Superintendent Stephen Telford described the initiative as a major step forward in the modernization of immigration services.
“On Monday, June 15, 2026, Guyana will be launching its online passport application system. What this allows you to do is, from the comfort of your home, make an application for your passport,” Telford announced.
According to immigration officials, the system is designed to streamline the application process by reducing the amount of time citizens spend waiting in offices and allowing them to choose a convenient date and time to complete in-person processing requirements.
The launch is the latest in a series of efforts by the Immigration Support Services Department to modernize service delivery and introduce greater use of technology across the immigration system.
Over the past several years, passport processing times have been significantly reduced. Standard applications are now processed within three working days, while expedited services can be completed within 24 hours. In some urgent cases, passports can be issued even more quickly.
Immigration authorities have also expanded passport services beyond Georgetown through the establishment of decentralized offices and the deployment of mobile enrollment units to serve citizens in remote and hinterland communities.
The department has simultaneously introduced other digital initiatives aimed at improving the travel experience. These include the electronic embarkation and disembarkation form, which allows travelers to complete immigration requirements before arriving at ports of entry, and automated e-gates that speed up passenger processing.
Telford said travelers can submit the electronic immigration form up to 30 days before travel, while eligible passengers using the e-gates can complete immigration processing in as little as 15 seconds.
The online passport application system forms part of government’s wider push to digitize public services and improve accessibility for citizens. Officials say the platform is expected to make passport services more convenient while reducing congestion at immigration offices and improving overall customer service.
The move comes as Guyana continues to modernize government services in response to growing demand from a rapidly expanding population and economy. Authorities have indicated that additional digital initiatives are expected as part of broader efforts to create a more efficient and citizen-focused public service.
