Guyanese nationality law is regulated by the 1980 Constitution of Guyana, as amended; the Citizenship Act of 1967, and its revisions; and various British Nationality laws. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a national of Guyana. Guyanese nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Guyana; or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to parents with Guyanese nationality. It can also be granted to persons with an affiliation to the country, or to a permanent resident who has lived in the country for a given period of time through naturalisation. There is not currently a program in Guyana for persons to acquire nationality through investment in the country. Nationality establishes one's international identity as a member of a sovereign nation. Though it is not synonymous with citizenship, for rights granted under domestic law for domestic purposes, the United Kingdom, and thus the Commonwealth, have traditionally used the words interchangeably.
Acquiring Guyanese nationality
Guyanese nationality is acquired through birth, registration, or naturalisation.
By birth
Nationality is acquired at birth by:
Persons who are born within the territory, except if the parent has diplomatic immunity or is a national of a country at war with Guyana; Persons who are born abroad to at least one parent who was born Guyana; Persons born upon aircraft or ships registered in Guyana or unregistered aircraft or ships belonging to the government; or Foundlings.
By registration
Nationality by registration includes those who have familial or historic relationship affiliations with Guyana. Persons who acquire nationality by registration include:
Persons who were the spouse or widow/er of a national who acquired nationality at the time of independence, or would have acquired nationality except for the death of the spouse; Persons who at independence had been an ordinary resident of Guyana in the preceding ten years for a period of time aggregating to five years; Minor persons, who were born to a Guyanese parent, or a parent who would have acquired such nationality at independence had the parent not died prior to independence; Post-independence, the spouse of a national, who poses no threat to national security or public order; Persons who are nationals of a Commonwealth country, or the Republic of Ireland, who have become residents of Guyana and resided in the territory or worked for the government for at least five years; Minors under age eighteen who are legally adopted are eligible for registration upon issuance of an adoption order; or Persons born to a Guyanese mother, who were rendered stateless because of the previous inability of married women to pass their nationality on to their children, as long as they pose no threat to national security.
By naturalisation
Ordinary naturalisation in Guyana can be obtained by adult persons of legal capacity, who in the 12 months prior to submitting an application resided in the territory, are of good character, and intend to be a resident of Guyana. Applicants petition the Minister responsible for immigration, who considers whether the applicant has resided within the territory for seven years and poses no threat to national security. Upon approval, applicants must take an Oath of Allegiance.
Loss of nationality
Nationals may voluntarily renounce their affiliation with Guyana, if the declarant is a legal adult and is able to acquire other nationality, eliminating the prospect of statelessness within twelve months. Renunciation may not be accepted if Guyana is in a war with the proposed new source of nationality. Denaturalisation may occur if a person obtained nationality through fraud, false representation, or concealment; if they have committed acts of treason; if they have committed acts of disloyalty or service to a foreign government; if they are found guilty of certain criminal offences; and for acquisition of another nationality.
Dual nationality
Dual nationality was not allowed at independence and was only permissible in the case that a married woman automatically acquired the nationality of her spouse.
History
Dutch colonial period (1581–1814)