Honorary Consul for Guyana in St. Maarten Kim Lucas-Felix.
PHILIPSBURG--The Consulate of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is continuing to organise repatriation flights for Guyanese wishing to return home.
The next charter is on October 10, and persons desirous of booking a seat must contact the Consulate at tel. (721)527-0704 or (721)542-7314 on/before September 26. Seats are limited due to the coronavirus COVID-19 restrictions. Dutch nationals or Guyanese with valid residence permits wishing to return to St. Maarten on the same flight can call (592)638-4599 to make reservations
Presently, there are no commercial flights from St. Maarten to Guyana, and many persons have expressed frustration at the situation, the Consulate said in a press statement.
In March, after airports closed, several stranded visitors contacted the Consulate seeking help to return home. Since June there has been a flight every month.
Honorary Consul Kim Lucas-Felix said these flights are necessary because there are no regional commercial flights currently available for Guyanese wishing to return home or for residents of St. Maarten who are stuck in the South American country and wish to return. Some persons have resorted to flying via Miami or New York, but this option is only available for those with a United States visa.
Additionally, in light of the immigration crackdown announced by the Ministry of Justice in June, Lucas-Felix said it is imperative that Guyanese who face deportation have an option available to them should they wish to leave the island voluntarily.
In the meantime, all consular services continue by appointment only. These include passport renewal; registration of birth; application for a certificate of good conduct (police record/clearance) and non-impediment of marriage certificate; renunciation of citizenship; life certificates; affidavits; recommendation letters; and legalising of immigration documents, among other things.
The Consulate, located on Cannegieter Street in Philipsburg (below the Law Firm), is open on Wednesdays (1:00pm-5:00pm) and Saturdays (10:00am-2:00pm).
