Guyana brings digital ID act into force, launches nationwide rollout

Guyana’s Digital Identity Card Act has officially come into force, with Prime Minister Mark Phillips confirming the legislation took effect on Tuesday.

The Act paves the way for the nationwide rollout of a new electronic identification system. Phillips said the government has already met the foundational requirements set out in the Act.

Phillips emphasized that the digital ID system will streamline access to public services and support a more secure, digitally connected Guyana. The eID system sees Guyanese citizens receive a single identifier and complete biometric verification supplied by Veridos. The Caribbean country has also piloted a biometric teacher attendance system ahead of a nationwide rollout.

The Act mandates the government to appoint a Data Protection Commissioner, establish a secure national database for citizens’ information, and implement systems to produce and issue digital ID cards. Registry offices have begun operating across the country, including in Region Two, where citizens can now apply for their cards.

The PM stressed that the initial enrollment process will rely on information citizens have already provided to state agencies, reducing the need for new data submissions. He added that privacy protections will be strengthened once the Data Protection Act becomes fully operational, at which point the government may request more sensitive personal information under enhanced legal safeguards.

However, the digital ID rollout has drawn criticism from opposition members and civil society groups, who argue that the absence of fully enacted data protection laws leaves citizens vulnerable. The government has defended the initiative, saying robust safeguards will be in place and noting that foreign nationals residing in Guyana will also be required to register so their movements can be monitored.

The digital ID system will also underpin new infrastructure at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), where the government plans to introduce an automated passenger identification system to speed up processing for Guyanese travelers.

Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar said the system will use facial recognition linked to the national eID database, allowing citizens to pass through automated gates without interacting with immigration officers.

“We want when you come off the plane, you walk straight through,” Indar said at the Women in Aviation Conference 2026, according to Caribbean National Weekly. “The system must recognize that you are a citizen.”

The airport upgrade is part of Guyana’s ambitions to be a regional aviation hub. CJIA is undergoing significant expansion, with plans for a second terminal already in motion. Guyana now hosts 16 airlines — up from four in 2020 — and expects more carriers to enter the market following recent outreach in Brazil.

Article Topics

airport biometrics  |  biometric identification  |  border control  |  digital ID  |  facial recognition  |  Guyana  |  national ID  |  passenger processing  |  Veridos