Immigrant Visas
DNA Testing
When documentary evidence is insufficient to confirm a relationship that supports a claim to citizenship or visa eligibility, DNA testing is an option. DNA testing is voluntary; all expenses and risks are the responsibility of the parties involved. The Embassy will only accept the results of DNA tests done by a laboratory in the United States accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) . At this time, only the Polymerase Chain Reaction-Short Tandem Repeats (PCR-STR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) methods of DNA testing are accepted. The Embassy recommends using buccal swabs, for specimen collection, because they are easier to transport and less intrusive.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Petitioner/putative parent identifies a laboratory in the U.S accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks. He/she contacts the laboratory to have his/her sample taken.
- U.S laboratory sends instructions, a collection kit and a prepaid DHL or Federal Express airway bill directly to the panel physician in Guyana (listed below).
- The applicant contacts the panel physician and confirms that the collection kit has been received. Once receipt is confirmed, the applicant will receive an appointment date from the panel physician to have his/her sample collected at the Embassy.
- Representatives from the Embassy will be present to witness the sample collection and arrange for transfer of the sample to DHL or Federal Express for transport to the U.S. laboratory chosen by the petitioner/putative parent.
- Once the applicant has submitted their DNA sample, the entire kit is returned to the U.S. laboratory for analysis. When analysis has been completed, the results are returned to the Embassy where the report is reviewed and then the applicant is contacted. An additional copy of the results is sent to the applicant or petitioner. This process generally takes about one month, but can vary from two weeks to two months.
The applicant/s must present the following documents on the day of sample collection:
- His/her passport with a photocopy of the biographical page.
- A passport size photo for each applicant.
IF ANY OF THE ABOVE ITEMS ARE MISSING, THE SAMPLE/S WILL NOT BE COLLECTED.
Test Results: Please be aware that we do not accept DNA results from applicants or petitioners; only results received directly from the approved AABB laboratory and accompanied by full identity chain of custody documentation are acceptable.
Note: The requirement that all results be accompanied by full identity and chain of custody documents is new; some laboratories have been doing this all along, but many have not been providing this documentation with their results. Please inform the laboratory of your choice about this new requirement in order to preclude the possibility of additional delays in the processing of your case at the Embassy.
Accredited Blood/Genetic Testing Laboratories:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has approved more than fifty U.S. laboratories to perform genetic tests to establish family relationships for immigration purposes. A complete list of laboratories is available from the AABB home page.
Panel Physicians (Guyana)
Dr. Nainiappan Daniel
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
132 Parade Street
Kingston, Georgetown
Tel. (592) 225 4781, 227 2070-9
Dr. Arya Devi Karyampudi
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
132 Parade Street
Kingston, Georgetown
Tel. (592) 225 4781, 227 2070-9
Dr. Colin Roach
Eureka Labs
263 Thomas Street
Georgetown
(Opposite Georgetown Hospital)
Tel: (592) 225 7574; (592) 227 0622; (592) 226 8979
Cell: (592) 629 1933
St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital
132 Parade Street
Kingstown, Georgetown
Phone No. (592) 227 2070-9
Eureka Labs Berbice Branch
21 - 24 Princess Elizabeth Road
New Amsterdam
Tel: (592) 333 4484
(No exams, appointment requests and inquires only.)
This page was revised on October 24, 2008