Guatemala

Guatemala visa and residence guide

9 visa types
checked 24 October 2026

How visas for Guatemala work

The Guatemalan Migration Institute (IGM) applies the Migration Code (Decree 44-2016) and, since 2025, a new Regulation on Guatemalan Residences. Its country classification places nationalities in three categories: citizens of Category A countries, such as Spain, Germany, Japan and the United States, are exempt from visa and enter as tourists or travellers for up to 90 days, extendable once at the IGM for USD 25, while Category C nationals need a visa approved in advance.

Residence is applied for in person at the IGM Foreigners' Office in Guatemala City, usually after entering as a visitor; a pending application authorises the stay. Temporary residence is granted for one to five years (students for the length of their studies) and costs USD 25 to file plus USD 200, 300 or 500 depending on the term. Permanent residence costs USD 700, or USD 400 for rentistas and pensioners, with USD 40 annual dues.

Common documents are a passport with a complete copy legalised by a Guatemalan notary, a criminal record certificate covering the last two years, a certificate of migration movements and, for many categories, a registered Guatemalan guarantor. Foreign documents must be apostilled, no older than six months and translated into Spanish. After approval, residents register biometrics within 30 days.

Which visa do I need?

Holiday or short visit: no visa for Category A nationals; up to 90 days plus one extension. Category C nationals need a visa with a Guatemalan guarantor.

Working remotely for a foreign employer earning USD 2,000 a month: temporary residence as migrant worker with a foreign employer.

Hired by a Guatemalan employer or self-employed: migrant worker residence.

Studying at a Guatemalan institution: student residence for the length of the course.

Investing USD 100,000: investor residence.

Living on a pension or income of USD 1,250 a month from abroad: permanent residence as pensioner or rentista.

Married to a Guatemalan for a year: permanent residence for spouses.

Fleeing persecution: refugee claim at a border post or the DRER.

Visa types for Guatemala

Visits and short stays

Tourist visa Tourist or traveller status (Turista o viajero)
The Guatemalan Migration Institute (IGM) sorts nationalities into three categories.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days, extendable once

Business and self-employment

Investor visa Temporary residence for investors (Residencia temporal para inversionistas)
Foreigners who belong to one or more Guatemalan commercial entities, or who invest in movable or real property in Guatemala, for an amount of USD 100,000, can apply to the IGM for temporary residence as investors.
Validity: One to five years, extendable

Study and training

Student visa Temporary residence for students (Residencia temporal para estudiantes)
Foreigners who will study at a Guatemalan educational institution apply to the IGM for temporary residence as students.
Validity: Length of the school cycle or course; extendable while studies last

Work

Digital nomad visa Temporary residence as migrant worker with a foreign employer (Trabajador migrante con empleador extranjero)
Guatemala has no separate digital nomad visa, but its 2025 residence regulation lets a migrant worker whose employer is abroad obtain temporary residence by showing bank statements with pay from abroad of at least USD 2,000 a month during the last year, or USD 3,000 if dependants come too.
Validity: One to five years, extendable
Work visa Temporary residence as migrant worker (Trabajador migrante: empleador guatemalteco o cuenta propia)
Foreigners hired by a Guatemalan employer, or who will work on their own account, apply to the IGM for temporary residence as migrant workers.
Validity: Contract term, up to five years

Family

Spouse and partner visa Permanent residence through marriage or civil union with a Guatemalan (artículo 78 b)
A foreigner who has been married to a Guatemalan, or in a declared civil union (unión de hecho) with one, for at least a year can apply directly for permanent residence under article 78(b) of the Migration Code.
Validity: Permanent (indefinite)

Residence

Retirement visa Permanent residence as rentista or pensioner (Residente permanente rentista o pensionado)
Guatemala grants permanent residence directly to rentistas and pensioners who will not take paid work and have a permanent, lawful income generated abroad of at least USD 1,250 a month, plus USD 300 for each dependant.
Validity: Permanent (indefinite)
Permanent residence Permanent residence (Residencia permanente)
Permanent residence gives indefinite legal stay in Guatemala.
Validity: Indefinite

Asylum and international protection

Asylum and international protection Refugee status (Estatuto de refugiado)
Asylum claims in Guatemala are received by the Department for Recognition of Refugee Status (DRER) of the Guatemalan Migration Institute.
Validity: Provisional stay status renewed every 30 days until a decision

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Guatemala?

It depends on your nationality. The IGM classifies countries into categories: Category A nationals, including citizens of Spain, Germany, Japan and the United States, are exempt from visa; Category C nationals must obtain a visa approved in advance with a Guatemalan guarantor.

How long can I stay as a tourist?

Up to 90 days, extendable once at the IGM before the stay ends; the extension request costs USD 25.

Can I apply for residence after arriving?

Yes. Residence files are lodged in person at the IGM Foreigners' Office in Guatemala, and the pending application authorises your stay.

What is a Guatemalan guarantor?

A Guatemalan person or company registered with the IGM who backs a foreigner's visa or residence; employees of private firms and most permanent residence applicants need one.

Are fees paid in dollars?

Fees are set in US dollars but paid in quetzales at the Bank of Guatemala's official rate on the day.