GEORGETOWN, Guyana, May 12, CMC – The Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Stephen Telford, says foreign nationals have been caught attempting to use fake passports in Guyana, with recent cases involving a Trinidadian and a Chinese national.
“We have recently a Trinidadian, a Chinese, they appear with fake documents,” Telford told the online publication, News Room, adding that the individuals were detected after presenting fraudulent passports during immigration-related processes.
He said that the cases were quickly identified by immigration officers, preventing further processing and that those matters have been handed over to the police and the persons charged.
Telford credited the vigilance of staff within the system for the early detection of fraudulent activity, adding “we see it and I must say the staff are very vigilant in that operation so we detect it pretty much early”.
The demand for the Guyana passport has increased with the Central Immigration and Passport office processing between 600 to 700 passports daily and persons can expect to receive their passport within three days. It could also be expedited at a cost of GUY$20,000 (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents) within 24 hours or sooner depending on the circumstances.
“My advice to any applicant in fulling out your application form, fill it as the information requires, ensure that when you are going to the passport office you walk with all the documents you are required to walk with and when you book and appointment and a location, show up at a time that you yourself made that appointment for…and come and be serve and be dealt with in the shortest possible time,” Telford said.
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