Special European visas could be issued in Guyana; visa-free travel a distant goal

The Schengen visa, a special European visa needed to travel to the countries in the Schengen area, could soon be granted in Guyana periodically or full-time, if European authorities agree to demands from Guyana.

On Wednesday, at the launch of the new European Union (EU)/ Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali called on the EU to start issuing this visa in Guyana.

This visa is issued in Suriname and local business players are among those who have complained of the inconvenience of travelling to the neighbouring country for this service.

Just after the President’s calls, EU Ambassador Fernando Pontz Canto told reporters that he has been working on resolving this issue for Guyanese for quite some time.

“The problem that we have is that this is not a responsibility of the EU institutions, it is the responsibility of the EU member states.

“In other words, the delegation doesn’t have the mandate to deliver any visas,” Pontz Canto explained.

Even so, the EU delegation has been engaging countries on a solution that would appease Guyanese who have become frustrated with the process of getting the visa.

One possible solution, the Ambassador explained, could be the periodic delivery of visas in Guyana. This is still in the early stages of consideration, with the bodies unsure if this is feasible.

The ambassador also said that the entire Suriname office can be moved to Guyana, but that will result in a number of other financial implications.

He was keen on pointing out that discussions are ongoing and supporting Guyana’s needs has been a focus of the delegation here. He, however, noted that it is not unusual for citizens of a country to uplift visas in another country.

Noteworthy, however, is the Ambassador’s interest in seeing visa requirements abolished altogether.

“I am fully committed to doing my very best to find a solution but in the longer term, I would really want is for us to move towards visa liberalisation so that there is no need for you to get visas in Europe,” he said.

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any member state of the Schengen Area, per stay up to 90 days for tourism or business. This Schengen Area is an area comprising 26 European countries that have officially abolished all passports and all other types of border control at their mutual borders.