The lifting of restrictions for visitors’ visa to the United Kingdom has the potential to further improve business relations between Guyana and the UK; says President Irfaan Ali.
President Ali was at the time speaking at a joint press conference hosted by British High Commissioner, Jane Miller to announce visa free travel for Guyanese to the UK. The announcement was made on Tuesday.
High Commissioner Miller said it was a historic day for relations between the UK and Guyana.
“I am delighted to inform you that as of 9th November those with a valid Guyana passport can visit the UK visa free”.
According to High Commissioner Miller, lifting of the visa requirement is a testament of the confidence the two sides have in the growth of their relationship.
“Together with the direct flights that will commence at the end of March with British Airways; we believe this change is going to be transformative to our already strong relationship”.
The High Commissioner said that in the middle of November a trade mission from the UK will be in Guyana and it will be an opportunity for those entrepreneurs to experience Guyana.
“We hope that with this visa lift, we look forward to welcoming many Guyanese businesses to the UK to explore further opportunities”.
She however explained that the lifting of the visa requirement is applicable for the visitors’ visa only.
“Those that want a longer-term visa, more than a 180 days or six months or wanting to work, study or settle in the UK will still need to get a visa. So, this is a visa lift for visitors’ visas, for up to six months”.
President Ali said the announcement comes as a result of hard work.
“The High Commissioner herself has been pushing this agenda; it was one of our priority areas in our meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. We raised it on several other occasions, I must say we also raised it in a meeting with King Charles. The team both in the UK and Guyana pursued the objective and today I am very pleased that Guyanese can travel with greater ease to the UK.
He however cautioned Guyanese against abusing the process.
“With these waivers come an important responsibility to all of us. We have a responsibility to safeguard these decisions as they come with hard work and take a very long time.
He said government will be working very closely with the UK to strengthen local systems so as to ensure that there is proper monitoring and to ensure that there is no abuse of the process”.
The Head of State said the visa lift is not just about strengthening the relationship but it is important as Guyana tries to build it tourism market.
“The UK has a very large bird-watching population; a population that is connected to nature”.
He said Guyana has an excellent eco-tourism product which would be of interest to the UK population.
He said too that the announcement will create greater opportunities not only in the areas of infrastructure and economic activities as a result of trade, but it has the potential to see Guyana becoming a hub that can service the Caribbean region.