Guyana: immigration

How many people are migrating to Guyana?

Guyana's net migration rate was 70.3 per 1,000 people in 2025, up from 31.1 in 2024 and 14.8 in 2023, according to the indicator table in the Budget Speech 2026. The population grew 5.6% in 2025 to an estimated 990,600 at mid-year.

A positive rate means more people arrived to live in Guyana than left. With a population near one million, 70 per 1,000 is roughly 70,000 net arrivals, a rough calculation rather than a published count. Population estimates between censuses rely on births, deaths and migration records, and are revised once a new census is done; the last census was in 2022.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Budget Speech 2026 (PDF)

How do I apply for a visa to Guyana?

Visas for Guyana are applied for through an online visa portal, and the Ministry of Home Affairs publishes checklists for business, student and employment visas, including requirements for visas on arrival. Visitor and employment visa applications are made through the government's e-services system linked from the ministry's site.

Whether a visa is needed depends on nationality, so travellers should check the ministry's current checklist. The Ministry of Finance's budget indicators record 453,500 visitor arrivals in 2025.

Official sources: Ministry of Home Affairs

How many immigrants live in Guyana?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 6.5%. In 2015 the figure was 1.1%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 4.8%, and Guyana placed 12th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 79th highest.

What is net migration in Guyana?

In 2025, net migration in Guyana was -5,092, according to the UN Population Division. Since 2005 it has ranged from -20,603 (2019) to 30,213 (2018). It is 21st highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is -967. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 114th highest.

How many refugees does Guyana host?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 35. Its high point since 2010 was 2021, at 40; its low point was 2010, at 7. It is 20th highest of 28 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 1,306. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 145th highest.

How many people from Guyana are refugees?

342: that is the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Guyana for 2025, according to UNHCR. The peak was 800 in 2012 and the low 248 in 2023. Latin America & Caribbean median: 710; Guyana is 23rd highest of 33. Worldwide: 125th of 189.

How much money do migrants send home to Guyana?

3.2% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Guyana for 2023, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been lower. Latin America & Caribbean median: 3.2% of GDP; Guyana is 16th highest of 31. Worldwide: 65th of 164.