Over 80,000 passports issued so far 2018
– 48-page biometric passport to come onstream in 2018
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, December 4, 2018
The Central Immigration and Passport office of Guyana has issued over 80,000 passports so far for this year, Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix has said.
Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix making his presentation during the 2019 Budget debate in the National Assembly
Addressing the National Assembly this afternoon, Minister Felix reported that some 59,079 passports were issued to citizens here. From 30 countries within the diaspora, another 17,310 travel documents were issued to Guyanese there. According to the Citizenship Minister, at the passport office in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 6,143 residents were able to uplift their passports. He said many persons who had applied for their passports in Georgetown, were advised to uplift same in their respective regions.
According to Minister Felix, Guyanese can expect a new 48-page biometric or “e-passport” with a ten-year lifespan in the new year. This will be available particularly to members of the Judiciary, businessmen, parliamentarians and senior public servants. There will also be a system to accommodate persons who wish to have the processing of the passport applications expedited online, at a cost of $20,000.
Meanwhile, Minister Felix reported that some 298 nationals were granted citizenship so far for 2018. The department of citizenship also processed for either extension or work permits to stay, 225 Cubans, 175 Chinese, 165 Americans, 120 Indians, 70 Filipinos, 75 Venezuelans, 59 British, 45 Dominican Republic, 30 Trinidadians, and 15 Surinamese.
He said, however, that these will come under scrutiny in the new year, to ensure that Guyanese have a fair share of job and investment opportunities.
Alexis Rodney
Image: Keno George