The French Consulate in Guyana on Monday began processing Schengen visas and reported that all went smoothly with the second batch of document collection to take place next month.
“We have been issuing visas on Monday and Tuesday for France as main destination as well as French Guiana or Martinique,” French Chargé d’Affaires, Jean-Jacques Forté, told Stabroek News yesterday.
“…Everything went well for this first experimental session. Next one will take place in November, the exact dates will be announced soon,” he added.
The French envoy also explained that those requests received this week are currently being processed and “applicants will receive their passport back at home in the FedEx prepaid envelope that was requested, within ten working days.”
Earlier this month, Stabroek News reported that as of Monday it would be possible to apply for Schengen visas in Guyana if the main destination is France, following a release from the Delegation of the European Union in Guyana.
It had explained that the applications will be received two days a month and the first sessions would be Monday October 21 and Tuesday October 22, 2024.
For this purpose, visa applicants were instructed to: 1) complete their applications online at https://france-visas.gouv.fr on the Suriname page; make an appointment online at https://consulat.gouv.fr/ambassade-de-france-a-paramaribo/rendez-vous?name=Visas%20Georgetown; and 2) go to the Honorary Consulate of France, at 46 First Avenue Subryanville, Georgetown, Guyana, in order to submit their applications.
Applications must include: completed and signed France visa application form; receipt of application; passport; photo; supporting documents (the list is provided on France Visas); the application fee indicated on France visas; and a pre-stamped FedEx envelope for the passport’s return from Suriname to the applicant’s address.
Previously Guyanese interested in applying for a Schengen visa to travel to European countries were required to visit the Dutch embassy in Suriname.
The Irfaan Ali administration had pressed the EU delegation here for progress on enabling the processing of visas here.
A major breakthrough came earlier this year when France announced it was setting up an embassy here.
On August 17, 2022, President Irfaan Ali had urged the European Union to put arrangements in place for Guyanese to be able to access Schengen visas here for travel to Europe, rather than having to go to Paramaribo. He had then given a three-month timeframe in which he said he would like to see some resolution.
Following the visit here of France’s Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, in March this year, a joint communique was issued with the announcement of the establishment of the embassy.
“Given the desire to forge closer links as neighbouring countries and friends, Guyana and France have decided to write a new chapter in their history by opening a French Embassy in Georgetown in 2025. France will be the first EU (European Union) country with this level of diplomatic representation in Guyana,” the joint communiqué informed.
