THE Consul General of Guyana in New York, Ambassador Michael Brotherson, has reaffirmed the Consulate’s commitment to serving the Guyanese diaspora, ensuring that citizens have access to essential services while fostering strong international relations.

Speaking on the Consulate’s role, Ambassador Brotherson emphasised that it represents Guyana’s interests across economic, cultural, and social development spheres, with a primary focus on the well-being of Guyanese residing in North America.

“So, we provide a myriad of services—mandalas, passports,” Brotherson explained. “Many of our Guyanese hold dual citizenship, so they’re always interested in maintaining their Guyanese connection; and one way to do so is through the renewal of their passports and having a Guyanese passport.”

The Consulate’s services extend to issuing certificates of birth, death, and marriage, notarising documents, and assisting Guyanese nationals in vulnerable situations. Additionally, an emergency travel certificate is available for individuals who have lost their passport and need to travel back to Guyana.

Providing insight into the increasing demand for services, Ambassador Brotherson shared that in 2022, the Consulate processed just under 9,000 passport applications. This number rose to 9,078 in 2023 and further increased to 9,996 in 2024, highlighting a growing interest among Guyanese in returning home.

“Now, there’s a trend there,” he noted. “We’ll notice there’s an upward trajectory of more applications, and I believe, in a broader sense, it speaks to what is happening in Guyana—many Guyanese want to get home, even for just a visit.”

Similarly, visa applications have seen a sharp increase. In 2022, the Consulate issued 29 visas from 14 different countries. By 2023, that number rose to 72 across 20 countries, and in 2024, 125 visas were issued to travellers from over 30 countries. Brotherson attributed this growth to Guyana’s rising global appeal.

“One can reasonably assume that Guyana is becoming more and more attractive,” he stated, adding that both nationals and foreign visitors are showing heightened interest in the country.
Beyond processing travel documents, the Consulate is engaged in fostering diplomatic relations with the City and State of New York while ensuring that Guyana’s interests remain a priority.
Ambassador Brotherson also clarified procedures regarding diplomatic passports, explaining that while holding one does not exempt individuals from requiring a visa, visa waiver agreements between countries determine entry requirements.

Brotherson, who has served as Consul General since 2022, reiterated the Consulate’s dedication to assisting Guyanese in the diaspora. He encouraged those seeking services to visit the Consulate’s official website at https://guyanaconsulatenewyork.org/consul-general/ for more information.