Agricultural workers, private security officers and a wide range of aviation personnel have been added to the categories of CARICOM nationals eligible to enter Guyana and work without obtaining a work permit.
The additions were made under the Caribbean Community (Free Entry of Skilled Nationals) (Amendment) Order 2026, signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd on August 18.
The additions were contained in an Extraordinary Gazette bearing the date September 7, which was uploaded to the Official Gazette website on Friday and it amends Section 8(1) of the principal Act by adding private security officers, agricultural workers and aviation personnel to the recognised categories of skilled Community nationals.
Agricultural workers and security officers were added by CARICOM to the free movement categories since 2018 while the categories for aviation workers were expanded in February this year.
The aviation category includes aircraft maintenance engineers, professional pilots, air traffic controllers, flight operations officers, aerodrome inspectors, accident investigators, aviation security inspectors, hazardous material and dangerous goods inspectors, flight operations inspectors, maintenance and communications navigation surveillance personnel and flight attendants.
Under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy arrangements, approved categories of Community nationals may seek employment in participating member states without obtaining a work permit. Eligible persons are generally required to obtain a Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification.
CARICOM’s website said that, as of 2025, there were 13 agreed categories of skilled nationals covered by the regime. The categories previously included university graduates, artistes, musicians, media workers, sportspersons, nurses, teachers, artisans, domestic workers and holders of associate degrees or comparable qualifications.
The Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that free movement applies to nationals seeking or engaging in employment in participating CSME states, but does not amount to an automatic right to citizenship.
The expansion comes amid renewed regional discussion about the pace of integration and the movement of workers. Kiskadee Watch reported in July that Rhodes Scholar Dr Terrence Augustine-Joseph had called for the removal of duplication in the Skills Certificate process and the harmonisation of qualifications across the Community.
He had also urged regional leaders to confront fears that freer movement would increase crime, dilute national cultures or overwhelm labour markets, arguing that workers generally move to countries where employment gaps exist,
In his address after being sworn in for a second term last September, President Irfaan Ali pledged to advance full regional free movement and the mutual recognition of skills and qualifications, according to a Stabroek News report.
Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines have instituted full freedom of movement among themselves.
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