Registration and numbers in Guyana: TIN, NIS and registering as an alien
In Guyana the paperwork revolves around the TIN, the tax number of the Guyana Revenue Authority. It costs 1,000 Guyanese dollars and is free from age 65. Anyone who works also gets an NIS number through the employer. In addition, the Aliens Act of 1947 requires an alien aged 16 or over to register within three days of arrival.
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The number you will need most in Guyana is the TIN, the Taxpayer Identification Number. You get it from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the tax authority. A first TIN costs 1,000 Guyanese dollars; if you are 65 or older, it is free. If you work, your employer also registers you with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the social insurance. And the Aliens Act, a law from 1947, requires you to register as an alien within three days.
| What | Where | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration as an alien | registration officer (the Act makes the Commissioner of Police the head) | within 3 days of entry, from age 16 | the Act names no fee |
| Change of address as an alien | the same registration officer | within 3 days of the move | |
| TIN | GRA, online or in person | as soon as you have income or deal with the government | GYD 1,000; free from 65; reprint GYD 2,000 |
| NIS number | through the employer, or yourself if self-employed | with your first job | contribution 14% of wages, or 12.5% if self-employed |
GYD is the Guyanese dollar.
Do you have to register as an alien?
Under the Aliens (Immigration and Registration) Act every alien aged 16 or over must register within three days of entering. You report to the registration officer for the place where you live, give your details and show your passport. You then receive a certificate of registration. If you move, you report that within three days too. The Act is in the consolidated laws of 2012 and sets as penalty a fine of GYD 32,500 and six months' imprisonment.
How strictly this is enforced today we could not find at an official source. Ask immigration on arrival, and keep the stamp in your passport.
Who needs a TIN?
The GRA is the only agency that issues the TIN. You need it if you deal with the Central Bank, a public corporation, a government department or the GRA itself, for example to renew your driving licence or to import goods for commercial purposes.
It is not required for children under 15, for anyone without income who stays no more than 183 days in Guyana, and for anyone who can show the GRA that they have no income. The GRA also advises pensioners to get a TIN: "while pension may not be taxable", the payer may ask for it.
How do you apply for a TIN?
Online you create an account in the GRA's eServices and complete the registration. Afterwards you bring the original documents to an office. In person you fill in the form at the counter. A working non-resident shows:
- proof of address;
- their passport;
- a marriage certificate if married.
After approval you have one month to pay and collect your TIN certificate. If you let that period lapse, you may have to apply again.
If you cannot come yourself, you name an authorised representative online, with a power of attorney.
How does the NIS number work?
The National Insurance Scheme compulsorily insures everyone aged 16 to 60 who works as an employee. Your employer completes the registration form with you; your TIN goes on it. 5.6% of your wages goes to the NIS, and your employer adds 8.4%, up to a ceiling of GYD 280,000 a month. Self-employed people pay 12.5% of their declared income. More in working in Guyana.
Immigration looks at the NIS too: when your stay and work permit are extended, it asks for the company's NIS and tax records. See the residence routes.
Where can you turn as a Dutch citizen?
The Netherlands has no embassy in Guyana. For emergencies NederlandWereldwijd refers you to the embassy in Paramaribo and the honorary consul in Georgetown.
The order of these steps after arrival is in the first weeks and in the route to Guyana.
In Vertrekklaar this is phase 5 of 5 of the journey, step 5.1: the same steps, but for your situation — in your order, tickable, and with the deadlines watched. See the whole journey to Guyana or go straight to step 5.1 in the open plan.
What this rests on
The facts in this article come from these official pages. Rules change. When in doubt, go by the source, not this article.
- Guyana Revenue Authority — who needs a TIN and who does not — gra.gov.gy
- Guyana Revenue Authority — the cost of a TIN, free from age 65 — gra.gov.gy
- Guyana Revenue Authority — applying for a TIN, online or in person, with the documents per group — gra.gov.gy
- Guyana Revenue Authority — frequently asked questions, including the TIN for pensioners — gra.gov.gy
- National Insurance Scheme — contributions, ceiling and who is compulsorily insured — nis.org.gy
- National Insurance Scheme — the registration form for employed persons, with the TIN — nis.org.gy
- Aliens (Immigration and Registration) Act, Cap. 14:03, sections 5 to 9: registration within three days (Ministry of Legal Affairs) — mola.gov.gy
- NederlandWereldwijd — travel advice for Guyana, no Dutch embassy in Guyana — nederlandwereldwijd.nl
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