What You Need to Know When You’re Moving to Georgetown

Relocating to Georgetown

About the City

Based at the mouth of the Demerara River, Georgetown is the capital city of Guyana, and is the financial and economic center of the country. With roughly 250,000 inhabitants, Georgetown rests on the Atlantic Ocean and is surrounded inland by fields of cane and swamps. As a low-lying city which rests just below sea level at high tide, Georgetown is protected by a network of canals and a sea wall to keep the city free from flooding, and to remove excess water from the grounds.

Georgetown has always been a relatively small capital city, but has remained an important location within the country for trade, also acting as the political center of Guyana since the French colonized the country back in the 18th century. The official language in Georgetown is English, which is a legacy from the more recent British occupation of Guyana, which ended in 1966; Guyanese Creole is widely spoken, as well.

The Climate in Georgetown

Georgetown has high temperatures all year round, with heavy rainfall in the months of January, May, June and December. The temperatures range between 23°C and 31°C and are consistent throughout the year, as are the levels of humidity, though these are slightly lower between February and April, and September and November. In spite of the constant heat in Georgetown, the city enjoys fresh breezes off the Atlantic Ocean to cool it down, but these breezes can be deceptive, so for expats moving to Georgetown who aren’t used to such weather, sunscreen is an essential during daylight hours.

Visas for Guyana

Guyana will allow entry to the country for 90 days, three or six months without a visa for some nationalities; the list of these countries can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affaire, and for these countries, the only entry requirement is to have a passport that is valid for at least the next six months.

If you’re an expat who is planning on obtaining permanent residency in Guyana, you must apply for a residence permit. Residence permit are usually valid for one year, but may be obtained for up to three years. Residence permits are renewable up to a maximum of three years. To receive a residency visa, expats must first arrive in Guyana as a visitor on a tourist visa. They can then approach the Ministry of Home Affairs, requesting a new visa or an extension to their current visa.