Guatemala digital nomad residence (foreign employer)

Article 11 of the Regulation on Guatemalan Residences (IGM-016-2025) covers migrant workers with a foreign employer. The applicant presents bank statements showing pay from abroad of at least USD 2,000 a month received during the last year; if dependants accompany the worker, the minimum rises to USD 3,000 a month. Instead of statements, a certification by a public accountant or equivalent professional in the country where it is issued is accepted, with legalised signatures or an apostille.

Workers whose foreign employer is an international non-governmental organisation or an international body do not need to show the minimum pay; they present a work certificate or contract and proof of health insurance.

The general requirements for temporary residence are the application form; the original valid passport and a complete copy legalised by a Guatemalan notary, showing the last entry stamp; a birth certificate only if your country has no diplomatic mission in Guatemala; an original certificate of no criminal or police record from your country of origin, from its embassy or consulate, or from the country where you lived during the two years before entering Guatemala; a certificate of migration movements showing your last entry; and the payment receipt.

Foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised, issued no more than six months earlier unless they state another validity, and translated into Spanish by your embassy or consulate or a sworn translator recognised in Guatemala. The file is handed in personally at the Foreigners' Office.

Under the IGM tariff regulation (amended by Agreement IGM-039-2025), the filing fee is USD 25, paid when the file is lodged. The residence status then costs USD 200 for one year, USD 300 for two years or USD 500 for three to five years. Payments listed in dollars are made in quetzales at the official Bank of Guatemala rate on the day.

Once notified, you have 30 days to have your biographic and biometric data captured at the Register of Residents; late registration costs USD 200. Temporary residents must update their data every year and present tax solvency annually. Requests for further information must be answered within 30 working days or the application is finally refused, and a file left inactive for six months is archived.

To extend, file before the residence expires with bank statements again showing USD 2,000 a month (USD 3,000 with dependants) from abroad over the last year; if you miss the deadline you must start a new residence. After five years of temporary residence you can apply for permanent residence.