Guyana Opens Saudi Visa on Arrival for Passport Holders

By The Rio Times | Created at 2026-10-04 15:02:04 | Updated at 2026-10-04 16:18:37 2 hours ago

Irfaan Ali (centre left) and senior Guyanese officials at talks with a Brazilian delegation in Georgetown on 6 May 2022 (Photo: Alan Santos/Palácio do Planalto, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

GUYANA · DIPLOMACY

Key Facts

—The country Guyana is a small South American nation on the Caribbean coast, bordering Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname.
—What happened Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced on 3 October 2026 that Guyanese passport holders may obtain a Saudi visa on arrival or e-visa without holding a US, UK or Schengen visa.
—Who is who The announcement came from Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which said the change followed intensified bilateral discussions with Saudi Arabia.
—Why now The ministry said the move is intended to expand trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people links between the two countries.
—What it means for you Guyanese travellers can apply directly for an e-visa or request a visa on arrival, but a visa is still required and admission remains subject to Saudi immigration rules.
—Still open The ministry did not publish the fee amount, visa validity, permitted stay, health-insurance requirements, eligible entry points or processing times, and no Saudi government circular confirming the change was located.

Guyana has opened a new travel route to Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced on 3 October 2026 that Guyanese passport holders may now obtain a Saudi visa on arrival or an electronic visa without holding a valid US, UK or Schengen visa.

INews Guyana reported the ministry’s statement, which described Guyana as the only South American country whose passport holders have this facility without a third-country visa. The change removes a condition that previously shaped access for many Guyanese travellers.

What the announcement says

Eligible travellers may apply directly for an e-visa or request a visa on arrival using a Guyanese passport and paying the applicable visa fee. The ministry said the facility covers Umrah, tourism, visiting family or friends and other visits.

The release did not say that the route covers employment, study, residence or Hajj travel. A visa remains required. This is not visa-free entry, and admission remains subject to Saudi immigration rules at the border.

The ministry did not state the fee amount, visa validity, permitted stay, health-insurance requirements, eligible entry points or processing times. It also did not publish a Saudi government circular or a bilateral agreement confirming the change.

Why the change matters

The ministry said the decision followed intensified bilateral discussions with Saudi Arabia. It framed the move as a way to expand trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people links between Georgetown and Riyadh.

For a small country with a growing international profile, easier travel access can support business missions, religious travel and family visits.

The ministry was explicit that no other South American passport holder enjoys the same facility without a third-country visa.

What travellers should check

Before the announcement, Guyanese travellers generally needed a visa in advance. A limited Saudi visa-on-arrival or e-visa route reportedly applied where the traveller held a valid US, UK or Schengen visa.

Third-party guidance still reflected that older position at the time of the announcement, creating a possible implementation discrepancy. Travellers should verify eligibility, fees, insurance, passport validity and arrival procedures through Saudi Arabia’s official visa platform or a Saudi diplomatic mission before booking.

No published Saudi primary-source confirmation was located in the available results. That leaves room for caution until Riyadh issues its own circular or updates its official visa portal.

What comes next

The practical test will be how Saudi immigration officers and airline check-in desks apply the new rule. Until Saudi Arabia publishes matching guidance, travellers may face questions at departure or on arrival.

The ministry’s announcement is a diplomatic signal as much as a travel update. It suggests Guyana and Saudi Arabia are moving closer on mobility, trade and investment.

For now, Guyanese passport holders have a new option to pursue. The details that matter most, such as cost and length of stay, remain to be confirmed through official Saudi channels.

Can Guyanese citizens enter Saudi Arabia without a visa?

No. Guyanese passport holders still need a visa, but they may now apply for a visa on arrival or an e-visa without holding a US, UK or Schengen visa.

What travel purposes does the new Saudi visa route cover?

The ministry listed Umrah, tourism, visiting family or friends and other visits. It did not say the facility covers employment, study, residence or Hajj travel.

How much does the Saudi visa on arrival cost for Guyanese travellers?

The ministry did not state the fee amount. Travellers should check Saudi Arabia’s official visa platform or a Saudi diplomatic mission for current fees and requirements.

Has Saudi Arabia confirmed the new visa rule for Guyana?

No Saudi government circular or bilateral agreement confirming the change was located in the available results. Travellers should verify the rule through official Saudi channels before booking.

Sources: inewsguyana.com, guyanachronicle.com, Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs release. Retrieved 4 October 2026.

This article was drafted with automated assistance and reviewed before publication. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief