Consulate General of Guyana — Local services in New York

Walk in here and feel like you're walking back in time. The issues endured such as redundancy, lack of communication, and overall frustration are not for the faint of heart. The system is highly inefficient. It required me to visit three times to get a passport renewal. My first visit was in March 2025. From the very beginning, I had issues getting a notary. No one wanted to notarize the passport renewal application due to the wording of it. I walked quite a bit of Manhattan to find someone who would sign the outdated worded document. The Guyana Consulate representative also told me my photos had a "blue tint" and the background wasn't white enough, so I needed to pay to have them retaken. Ironically, the photos that were eventually approved looked the same. But at the end of this visit, everything was submitted. Then I waited two months (May 2025). I called again to inquire about the status of my passport. During that call, I was told I needed to do fingerprints. Additionally, I was told to bring my passport and receipts back. Two major issues here: Why did I need to bring my passport and receipts? It's 2025, receipts should be logged electronically. As for my passport, why couldn’t my identity be verified using a state-issued ID?

Why wasn’t I informed about this on my first visit? If the machines weren’t available at the time, then why wasn’t I just issued a passport that didn’t require biometrics?

At the end of the day, this was a poor rollout and execution on the part of Guyanese leadership. Their fingerprint system was also a major issue. My biometrics took about 4 hours. They had one machine and did not schedule time slots. People were told to show up on a first-come, first-served basis. On top of that, we were given a number and still told to line up and move one seat at a time. What was the point of the number then? The process was unnecessarily redundant. After a long day, I finally got my biometrics completed. I waited another two months (July 2025) and had to call again on a Tuesday. I was told I would receive a call that week with an update. I got a call the very next day (Wednesday) turns out my passport was ready for pickup. Again, poor communication on the consulate’s part. I had to call them. Not sure how long my passport had just been sitting there. But the issues didn’t end there! For some reason, I was told I had to pick it up on Saturday or Sunday of the upcoming weekend or else they weren’t sure when I’d be able to again. They took months to get my passport ready, but now I was given such a short notice to pick it up on a weekend that was not accounted for. I needed to take off work and drive three hours to go there again. Thankfully, I was able to pick it up. But again, I had to bring my old passport and receipts, a completely pointless and outdated requirement. However, the pickup process itself was quick and painless for me. While I was there, I witnessed an issue with someone whose name was spelled incorrectly. From their conversation with an employee it was clear the name was submitted correctly on the documents, but the representative tried to infer that they spell names back to the person and was subtly shifting blame onto the applicant. I suppose I was lucky mine was spelled correctly but it’s clear their quality control is just as lacking as the rest of the consulate’s operations. While this process was frustrating, I will say the representatives were all kind and tried to be helpful. From my experience they have kept their cool and did not escalate situations. But there’s only so much they can do when the system is so outdated and stacked against them. Final thoughts: The Guyana Consulate is severely lacking in communication and efficiency. Hopefully, they begin implementing new policies to address these issues. Thank God I don’t have to go back for...

The service simply could not get any worse than this. As a Guyanese I'm ashamed of the frustratingly unprofessional service at the Guyana Consulate. First of all, the website and the application form provided on the website do not have corresponding information. their office hours say 9-12 and 1-3. What kind of business posts that they will close at 3 and dedicate an hour to lunch? Perhaps they can forego that time because it's 100US to renew your passport. A ridiculous amount of money for such a simple thing. There is no system to organize the people. Usually in the US government offices, you take a number and wait your turn but there was none of that there. You go in, sign your name at the front and enter a hot cramped room crawling with impatient Guyanese. The inefficient employees sit behind windows on their phone or simply staring at the customers. I was there today and joined three lines! One for my documents to be reviewed, one to pay the hundred dollars (in cash because they don't have machines for cards. Money orders are also acceptable) and one to wait for my receipt and documents. Their actually isn't a line for the reciept. You just stand around or sit if you're lucky, and wait as they call one name every half an hour or more. Unfortunately, I am not exaggerating. Each window apparently deals with one specific task. So window one serves a receptionist functions and window 2 strictly deals with persons coming to collect their passport. The woman at window 2 was simply sitting there, staring at us. Despite the crowds and intense frustration all about, she sat there instead of trying to speed up the process. And why can't you get your receipt and documents right away? I paid my hundred dollars and had to wait over an hour for my receipt. All the employees should have been able to review the documents, accept the payment and issue the receipt right away. Oh and for 100 dollars, you get to wait "10 weeks" to get a letter to go pick up your new passport. It's two and a half months no matter how you say it. In Guyana, it takes five days. Assign numbers and give an employee or two the task of directing the customers and making sure they filled out the forms correctly and that they have the relavant supporting documents. Get a bigger air-conditioned office and have all your employees perform the same task. A hundred dollar from each of the thousands of Guyanese livong in thr US is more than enough. Perhaps, looking for younger, educated Guyanese instead of idiots that only got the job because they know someone would be wise as well. You're giving other people the impression that this is all an all-guyanese staff is capable...

Update * December 2023*

The Guyana Consulate has made a dramatic turn around. They finally have a dedicated receptionist answering calls. Took less that 1 minute to get someone on the phone and they were polite and informative. This is what we needed. The website has also been updated. It just needs a bit more tweaking to get it to function like an actual up-to-date website. Passport Renewal forms need to be update. Answering redundant questions every gets boring. I am very happy we are moving forward. I just hope we continue this way.

Update (August 2023)

Parents processed their passport renewal a few months ago. This was at their previous office location. They stated it takes about 2-3 months. Contacted them via telephone - which is a whole different issue. What’s the purpose of having a phone number to contact if no one answers your calls? Or calls you back when you leave a message. This is incredibly infuriating.

I’m not sure if I need to file a complaint directly to Guyana’s foreign affairs minister. This is supposed to be where Guyanese citizens contact if they’re in need of help & you can’t get any.

Now the other issue. Finally someone called us back about 2 weeks ago. Stated passports are ready & that’s all. No mention that the location changed. That would have been super helpful - instead I wasted my time going to the previous location. Why isn’t there some type of communication sent out? Or at least when you call and speak to someone to let you know. Totally unforgivable. It’s embarrassing how poorly the Guyana Consulate is operated.

I’m also curious as to why they’re located in Manhattan when a majority of the migrated Guyanese population are in Brooklyn / Queens. It would be more convenient, cost less Guyana Dollars to be spent on insane Manhattan rent, and the possibility of having parking! Making it more convenient for Guyanese Expats.

Please do better.

This is a substandard performance from our Consulate & Government.

———————————————————————-

(Five years ago)They’re more efficient now. Photos are taken on site. Staff is friendlier from previous experiences, and...