The first weeks in Guyana: the clocks that start running on arrival

The first weeks in Guyana revolve around the date in your passport. On arrival the immigration officer gives you a stay of at most three months, with the purpose of your visit noted. Everything that follows counts from that stamp: registration as an alien, settler status for your household goods and car, and the 60 days you may drive on your Dutch licence.

What	Deadline	More
Notify the GLDA of a pet	24 hours before arrival	pets to Guyana
Registration as an alien (from age 16)	within 3 days of entry	registration and numbers
Driving on your Dutch licence, as a visitor	60 days after entry	car and driving licence
Settler status for household goods and car	the Customs Act names 3 months after entry; the GRA 6 months after resettlement	household goods to Guyana
Importing a car as a settler	within 6 months of arrival	car and driving licence
Collecting your TIN after approval	within 1 month	registration and numbers
Extending your stay	before the date in your passport	the residence routes
Tax resident of Guyana	after more than 183 days in the year	AOW, pension and tax
Voluntary AOW insurance	within 1 year of no longer being insured	AOW, pension and tax

What do you do in the first days?

On arrival check what the officer writes in your passport: the date and the purpose. The Immigration Act knows visit, employment, business, medical treatment and "any other purpose of a temporary nature". If you come for work, your employer must have applied for the landing permit before you arrive.

The Aliens Act of 1947 requires every alien aged 16 or over to register within three days with the registration officer for their place of residence, with passport and particulars. Whether this is still strictly enforced, we could not find at an official source. Ask immigration and keep whatever you receive.

What do you arrange in the first month?

Your TIN from the Guyana Revenue Authority. You can apply online or at the counter; afterwards you come in with the original documents. After approval you have one month to pay and collect the certificate. You need the TIN to renew your driving licence, to import a car and for dealings with the government. If you work, your employer registers you with the NIS.

If you want to import your household goods and car free of duty, register in the first weeks with the Re-migration Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for settler status.

The deadlines contradict each other: the Customs Act names three months after entry, the GRA six months after resettlement. Work to three months. A car you import as a settler must arrive within six months of your arrival, and you may not sell it for three years (used) or five years (new).