Guyana is moving to a fully online passport application and appointment system from October 1, ending walk-in appointments at passport offices as the authorities seek to make the process faster, more organised and easier to access.
Under the new system, every passport applicant will be required to complete an online application and secure an appointment before visiting a passport office.
Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Senior Superintendent Stephen Telford said the change will allow applicants to choose the office, date and time that best suits them.
“All passport applicants will be required to make an online appointment before visiting a passport office.”
The new arrangement is expected to reduce congestion and waiting times while allowing passport offices to better manage daily appointments and workloads.
Applicants will be able to select their preferred location and schedule their visit online rather than travelling to an office without a confirmed appointment.
But immigration officials are warning the public to be particularly careful about where they submit personal information.
Telford cautioned that fraudulent websites purporting to provide passport services exist and could be used to mislead applicants or obtain sensitive information.
The official passport application platform is pp.gpf.gov.gy, and applicants are being urged to use only that website.
The move to online appointments comes alongside efforts to speed up passport collection. The period for uplifting passports has been reduced by three working days, while applicants who pay for the expedited service can receive their passports within 24 hours.
The authorities have also introduced an at-home passport service for elderly persons and people who are differently abled, removing the need for those applicants to travel to a passport office where mobility may be difficult.
Taken together, the changes represent a significant shift from a largely office-based system toward one built around advance scheduling and digital applications.
For applicants, the biggest practical change will come on October 1, when arriving at a passport office without an online appointment will no longer be sufficient to access the service.
The new system is also likely to put greater emphasis on citizens having reliable internet access and the ability to navigate an online application. That makes clear public information and an accessible official platform particularly important as the transition takes effect.
The authorities are therefore encouraging anyone planning to apply for or renew a passport to familiarise themselves with the online process before October 1 and to verify that they are using the correct government website.
