-by Kristin Josiah

Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Stephen Telford says Guyanese can now receive passports within three working days, with expedited applications processed in as little as 24 hours under special circumstances.

Speaking on the Sunday airing of Police Roundup, Telford said citizens can now choose between five and ten-year passports, while children under ten years old continue to receive five-year documents.

He noted that decentralised passport services have expanded to communities including Lenora, Lethem, Linden, New Amsterdam, Anna Regina and Port Morant, reducing the need for lengthy travel.

Telford also highlighted the department’s mobile passport service, which caters to bedridden persons, hospital patients and individuals living with disabilities.

Meanwhile, June has been designated Passport Collection Month, with passport offices opening every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to facilitate the collection of thousands of unclaimed passports.

The Deputy Chief Immigration Officer further urged citizens to utilize the online embarkation and disembarkation form and announced that Guyana’s new e-appointment and online passport application system will be launched on June 15, further modernizing immigration services across the country.