Every way into Guatemala.

Entry visa for nationals of "Category C" (visa-consultada) countries travelling to Guatemala for tourism, recreation, culture or personal visits. Guatemala classifies countries as A (visa-exempt), B (consular visa, no prior consultation) or C (visa-consultada, requiring authorisation from the IGM Directorate of Immigration). A single-entry tourist/traveler visa costs US$50 and is generally valid up to 180 days; a multiple-entry version (US$150) can be issued for up to 5 years based on legal analysis of the file. The permitted stay aligns with the CA-4 regime (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua), normally 90 days, extendable once for a further 90 days. The visa does not authorise paid work or lead to residence; Category C applications require a Guatemalan guarantor and are decided by the IGM within about 30 days. A reduced US$25 service fee applies to visa requests filed inside Guatemalan territory.

• Family: Family members may apply as a family unit but each needs their own visa.

Government fee

$50

Processing time

30 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

180 days

A traveler-type visa for Category C nationals invited to Guatemala to carry out short-term paid consulting or advisory work for a Guatemalan public or private institution because of their specialised knowledge. It is the business-visit route within Guatemala's visa framework and is decided by the IGM Directorate of Immigration within about 30 days. The visa is issued for short stays (typically up to 90 days, aligned with the tourist/traveler validity of up to 180 days) and requires a service-requirement letter from the contracting Guatemalan entity plus a Guatemalan guarantor demonstrating income of at least 5 minimum wages (about US$2,075). It does not grant long-term residence; assignments longer than this require temporary residence as a migrant worker. The standard fee is US$50 (US$25 if filed inside Guatemala).

• Work: Limited to the specific paid consulting/advisory assignment that justified the visa.

Government fee

$50

Processing time

30 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

180 days

Temporary residence for foreigners enrolled at an officially recognised Guatemalan school or university (Arts. 75(b) and 77 of the Migration Code). Unlike other temporary residents, students are not subject to the 5-year cap: the residence is granted for the duration of the school cycle or university courses and may be extended for the whole period of study. Applicants must provide current enrolment or an acceptance letter from the recognised institution and proof of economic solvency (own funds, a sponsor, a scholarship or an institutional financing commitment). The residence-grant fee is US$100 per year of residence granted, plus the US$25 residence-application service fee. Time as a student resident counts toward the residence required for permanent residence and naturalisation.

• Study: Authorised to study for the duration of the programme; renewable for the whole study period.
• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

$100

Validity

365 days

Temporary residence under Article 75(a) of the Migration Code for foreigners who work remotely for an employer based outside Guatemala - the closest equivalent to a digital-nomad/remote-work route. Applicants must show bank statements evidencing foreign-source income of at least US$2,000 per month received over the last year, rising to US$3,000 per month where accompanied by dependants; alternatively a public-accountant certification (apostilled/legalized) may be used. Where the foreign employer is an international NGO or international organisation, the income test is waived and only an employment certificate/contract and proof of medical insurance are required. Granted for 1-5 years and renewable, with permanent residence available after 5 continuous years (Art. 78(a)). The residence-application service fee is US$25; the temporary-residence grant fee is US$200-US$500 depending on the term.

• Work: Work is for the foreign employer abroad; lawful activity in Guatemala permitted as a resident.
• Study: Residents may study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Dependants admitted under Art. 27; income requirement rises to US$3,000/month.

Government fee

$200

Validity

365 days

Min. income / month

$2,000

Temporary residence for foreigners working on their own account in Guatemala (Art. 26(d)/75(a) of the Migration Code). Applicants file a notarized sworn declaration describing the activities, where operations will be located, the start date and projected monthly income, together with registration in the Unified Tax Registry (RTU) and authorisation to conduct commercial activities. Granted for 1-5 years and renewable; at renewal the applicant adds an accountant's income certification, tax-clearance solvency and a legalized copy of the company/merchant registration from the Mercantile Registry. After 5 continuous years a holder may apply for permanent residence (Art. 78(a)). The residence-application service fee is US$25 and the temporary-residence grant fee is US$200-US$500 by term.

• Work: Authorised to carry on the declared self-employed/commercial activity.
• Study: Residents may study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Dependants admitted under the migrant-worker rules.

Government fee

$200

Validity

365 days

Temporary residence under Article 75(a) of the Migration Code (Decree 44-2016) for foreigners employed by a Guatemalan employer. Granted for 1 to 5 years according to the job offer and IGM assessment, and renewable; after 5 continuous years as a temporary resident the holder may apply for permanent residence (Art. 78(a)). The application requires an original job-offer letter (stating post, schedule, term, salary, start date and place of work) and a registered Guatemalan guarantor; State/autonomous-entity employees are exempt from the guarantor and submit only the HR-signed offer. At renewal the worker must also present a valid work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. The residence-application service fee is US$25; the temporary-residence grant fee is US$200 for 1 year, US$300 for 2 years and US$500 for 3-5 years. Dependants (spouse, children) may be included under Article 27.

• Work: Authorised to work; a Ministry of Labour work permit must be presented within 3 months and renewed yearly.
• Study: Residents may carry out lawful activities, including study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Dependants admitted under Art. 27 in the same status as the principal.

Government fee

$200

Validity

365 days

Temporary residence under Article 75(d) of the Migration Code for foreigners who form part of one or more commercial entities and/or invest in movable or immovable property of at least US$100,000. The applicant files a notarized sworn declaration detailing the economic activity and intended length of stay, supported by registry certifications, securities title, property/plant/equipment invoices and evidence of the source of the invested funds. Granted for 1-5 years and renewable on proof the activity continues; after 5 continuous years the holder may apply for permanent residence (Art. 78(a)), and an investor's permanent residence allows dependants to be added with proof the investment is maintained. The residence-application service fee is US$25 and the temporary-residence grant fee is US$200-US$500 by term. Guatemala has no citizenship-by-investment programme.

• Work: May manage and operate the qualifying investment/business.
• Study: Residents may study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Economic dependants admitted under the migrant-worker rules.

Government fee

$200

Validity

365 days

Min. investment

$100,000

Permanent residence under Article 78(e) of the Migration Code for foreigners who wish to live in Guatemala without engaging in paid local work and who have a permanent, lawful, verifiable income generated abroad. A rentista lives on stable foreign rents (bank deposits/investments abroad, foreign company investments, real-estate remittances, or authorised securities); a pensionado receives periodic retirement, widowhood, orphanhood, disability or social-security payments from foreign governments, international organisations or private companies. The minimum income is US$1,250 per month individually, plus US$300 per month for each dependant (spouse, single children, minor children). Permanent residence is granted for an indefinite period; holders must every 5 years present a certificate confirming the income continues. The residence fee for rentistas/pensionados is US$400 plus the US$25 application fee, and an annual foreigner fee of US$40 applies to permanent residents. Permanent residence opens a path to naturalisation.

• Study: Permanent residents may study and undertake lawful activities.
• Residency: This IS permanent residence (indefinite); naturalisation possible after 5 years of residence.
• Family: Spouse, single children and minors included with +US$300/month each.

Government fee

$400

Min. income / month

$1,250

Permanent residence under Article 78(c) of the Migration Code for foreigners who are family members, within the legal degrees of kinship, of a Guatemalan citizen who holds another nationality. The applicant must document the family relationship through birth certificates establishing filiation with the Guatemalan, together with the general permanent-residence requirements. Permanent residence is granted for an indefinite period and gives broad rights to enter/leave, work, hold a foreigner identity document (DPI) and acquire property, as well as a route to naturalisation. The general permanent-residence fee is US$700 plus the US$25 application fee, with a US$40 annual foreigner fee thereafter.

• Work: Permanent residents may carry out lawful activities, including paid work.
• Study: May study.
• Residency: This IS permanent residence; opens a route to naturalisation.
• Family: Available to relatives within the legal degrees of kinship of the Guatemalan.

Government fee

$700

Permanent residence under Article 78(b) of the Migration Code for foreigners who have been married to, or in a registered civil union (union de hecho) with, a Guatemalan citizen for one year or more, with both the marriage/union and the Guatemalan spouse's records registered at the National Registry of Persons (RENAP). The applicant submits the general permanent-residence requirements plus the RENAP marriage/union certificate and the Guatemalan spouse's birth certificate annotated with the marriage or union. Permanent residence is indefinite. If the marriage or union later dissolves, the holder must apply to ratify their migratory status. The general permanent-residence fee is US$700 plus the US$25 application fee, and an annual foreigner fee of US$40 applies.

• Work: Permanent residents may carry out lawful activities, including paid work.
• Study: May study.
• Residency: This IS permanent residence; spouses of Guatemalans may seek naturalisation under the Nationality Law.
• Family: Based on the marriage/union to a Guatemalan; children may qualify via Art. 78(c).

Government fee

$700

Discretionary acquisition of Guatemalan nationality by naturalisation under Article 146 of the Constitution and the Nationality Law (Decree 1613, Art. 33). General applicants must have held IGM residence for at least 5 years, having resided in Guatemala during the 5 years immediately before the petition without being absent for more than 6 consecutive months or for periods totalling a year or more, and must show good conduct, lawful means of living and knowledge of Spanish and Guatemalan civics. Central American, Ibero-American and Spanish nationals enjoy a privileged regime and file directly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Required proof includes a certified copy of the IGM permanent residence, a RENAP foreigner-domiciliary certificate and a nationality certificate from the applicant's embassy/consulate certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Naturalisation is a discretionary act of the State; meeting the requirements does not guarantee a grant.

• Work: Naturalised citizens have full civil rights.
• Study: Full access to education as a citizen.
• Residency: This is the citizenship step beyond permanent residence.

Temporary residence under Article 75(e) of the Migration Code for foreign intellectuals, researchers and scientists invited to work in Guatemala. In addition to the general residence requirements, applicants provide documentation accrediting their qualification to act as an intellectual, researcher or scientist, an updated Guatemalan guarantor certificate and a current contract. Residence is granted for 1-5 years and renewable on proof the contract continues; after 5 continuous years permanent residence is available (Art. 78(a)). The residence-application service fee is US$25 and the temporary-residence grant fee is US$200-US$500 depending on the term.

• Work: Work limited to the contracted research/academic activity.
• Study: Residents may study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Dependants admitted under Art. 27.

Government fee

$200

Validity

365 days

Temporary residence under Article 75(c) of the Migration Code for foreign athletes and artists. Athletes must provide titles/certifications proving their category, evidence of belonging to a legally accredited federation or sports entity, and a legalized minute approving their hiring by the Confederacion Deportiva Autonoma de Guatemala, the Guatemalan Olympic Committee, a federation or a sports club. Artists must provide an offer letter from the contracting individual or company and an updated Guatemalan guarantor certificate. Residence is granted for the contract term up to a maximum of 5 years and is renewable on proof the engagement continues; after 5 continuous years permanent residence is available (Art. 78(a)). The residence-application service fee is US$25 and the temporary-residence grant fee is US$200-US$500 by term.

• Work: Work limited to the approved sporting or artistic engagement.
• Study: Residents may study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Dependants admitted under Art. 27.

Government fee

$200

Validity

365 days

Temporary residence under Article 75(f) of the Migration Code for foreign ministers of religion. In addition to the general residence requirements, applicants submit a letter signed by the religious authority in Guatemala; with the exception of the Catholic Church, other churches, cults, entities and religious associations must also prove their legal personality. Residence is granted for 1-5 years and renewed on a further authority letter confirming the extended stay; after 5 continuous years permanent residence is available (Art. 78(a)) and religious ministers are notably exempt from the guarantor requirement at that stage. The residence-grant fee for religious ministers is US$50, plus the US$25 residence-application service fee.

• Work: Religious ministry only.
• Study: Residents may study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Dependants admitted under Art. 27.

Government fee

$50

Validity

365 days

Temporary residence under Article 48 of the Migration Code for persons recognised as refugees or political asylees, and (under Art. 101(c)) for those admitted on a special boleta as complementary protection. The application is simplified: form, a copy of any identity document, the resolution granting refugee/asylee status (or the special boleta), and proof of payment. Recognised refugees with temporary-resident status can later move to permanent residence on a streamlined basis once they have held temporary residence for 5 years (or, for Central Americans, 1 year), proving the activity they carry out in Guatemala. The residence-grant fee for refugees/asylees is US$50 plus the US$25 application service fee.

• Work: Recognised refugees/asylees may carry out lawful activities in Guatemala.
• Study: May study as residents.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members of recognised refugees may be included.

Government fee

$50

Validity

365 days

Permanent residence under Article 78(a) of the Migration Code for foreigners who have held temporary residence in Guatemala for five years or more - the standard graduation route for workers, self-employed persons, investors, students and other temporary residents. The applicant submits certification of the ordinary migratory status proving the 5 years, a notarized sworn declaration of the activity they carry out and supporting documents, and an updated Guatemalan guarantor certificate (religious ministers are exempt). Those who held temporary residence as a migrant worker or investor may add dependants, noting the work permit or continuation of the investment. Permanent residence is indefinite and qualifies the holder to seek naturalisation. The general permanent-residence fee is US$700 plus the US$25 application fee, with a US$40 annual foreigner fee.

• Work: Permanent residents may carry out lawful activities, including paid work.
• Study: May study.
• Residency: This IS permanent residence; naturalisation possible thereafter (5 years' residence for non-Central Americans).
• Family: Dependants may be added where prior status was migrant worker or investor.

Government fee

$700

Permanent residence under Article 78(d) of the Migration Code for persons born in other Central American countries who have already held temporary residence in Guatemala for one year. In addition to the general permanent-residence requirements, the applicant provides a valid birth certificate showing Central American birth, a notarized sworn declaration of the activity they will carry out, and certification of having been a temporary resident for at least one year. This is a faster permanent-residence route reflecting regional integration (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and the wider isthmus). Permanent residence is indefinite. The residence fee for Central Americans is US$500 plus the US$25 application fee, with a US$40 annual foreigner fee thereafter. Central Americans also benefit from a privileged naturalisation regime handled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Work: Permanent residents may carry out lawful activities, including paid work.
• Study: May study.
• Residency: This IS permanent residence; Central Americans enjoy a privileged naturalisation regime.
• Family: Family members generally apply under their own category.

Government fee

$500