Guatemala Entry: Visa & Passport

Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans can enter Guatemala visa-free for 90 days. You just need a passport valid for at least six months. No visa application, no fee, no pre-approval. You land at La Aurora International Airport (GUA), get your passport stamped, and you are in.

But there is a catch that trips up almost everyone: the CA-4 agreement. Here is what you need to know.

TL;DR: Over 80 countries enter Guatemala visa-free for 90 days – no fee, no application. The CA-4 agreement shares those 90 days across Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Extensions cost Q200 ($26) for 90 more days.

Quick Summary

The CA-4 Agreement: The Most Important Thing to Understand

Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua share a single 90-day entry period under the CA-4 (Central America-4) agreement. This means:

• Your 90 days are shared across all four countries
• Traveling from Guatemala to Honduras does NOT reset your clock
• If you spend 30 days in Guatemala and 30 days in Honduras, you have 30 days left total
• The clock starts when you enter any CA-4 country

To reset your 90 days, you must exit the CA-4 region entirely. The most common options:

• Mexico (cheapest, closest for most — bus from Guatemala City or Antigua to Tapachula)
• Belize (easy from Flores/Peten area)
• Costa Rica (farther but popular with long-term travelers)
• Panama (fly from Guatemala City)

Many long-term expats do a “visa run” to Mexico every 90 days. Spend a night in Tapachula, get your entry stamp when you return, and your 90 days reset. For a full comparison of Guatemala vs Mexico vs Costa Rica for long-term stays, see our country comparison guide.

Who Can Enter Visa-Free?

Most Western passport holders do not need a visa. This includes:

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• All European Union countries
• Australia and New Zealand
• Japan, South Korea, Israel
• Most Latin American countries

For the full list, check with the nearest Guatemalan consulate or the IATA Travel Centre.

Passport Requirements

• Validity: At least 6 months remaining from your entry date
• Blank pages: At least one blank page for the entry stamp
• Condition: Good physical condition (torn or water-damaged passports may be rejected)

Arriving at the Airport

La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City is the main entry point. The process:

1. Fill out the immigration form (usually handed out on the plane, or available at the immigration counter)
2. Present your passport at the immigration booth
3. Get your entry stamp (the officer stamps your passport with a 90-day entry)
4. Collect your luggage at baggage claim
5. Pass through customs (random red/green light system — if red, your bags get checked; if green, walk through)

The entire immigration process typically takes 15–30 minutes, longer during peak hours.

Tip: Have your accommodation address ready. Immigration officers sometimes ask where you are staying. A hotel name and address is enough.

Land Border Crossings

Guatemala has land borders with Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. Major crossings:

Land border tip: Always get your exit stamp from the country you are leaving AND your entry stamp for the country you are entering. Skipping the exit stamp is a common mistake that causes problems later.

How to Extend Your Stay

If 90 days is not enough, you can apply for a 90-day extension at the Direccion General de Migracion:

1. Go to Migracion before your 90 days expire
2. Bring your passport, a photocopy of the entry stamp page, and a utility bill or hotel reservation
3. Pay the extension fee (approximately Q200 / $26)
4. Receive an additional 90 days

This gives you a maximum of 180 days on a tourist entry. After that, you must either leave the CA-4 region or apply for residency.

Overstay Penalties

If you stay past your 90 days (or 180 with extension) without leaving or getting residency:

• Fine: Q20 per day overstayed (~$2.60/day)
• Paid at: Immigration office or at the airport when leaving
• Maximum fine: There is a cap, but the exact amount depends on how long you overstayed
• Other consequences: Potential issues re-entering Guatemala in the future

The fine is relatively small, and enforcement is inconsistent. But it is a bad idea to accumulate a large overstay — it can complicate future visa applications and residency requests.

Guatemala Passport Information (For Guatemalans)

If you are a Guatemalan citizen needing a passport:

How to Get/Renew a Guatemalan Passport

1. Schedule an appointment at igm.gob.gt (free, official portal only)
2. Pay at an authorized bank ($50 or $85)
3. Print and sign your appointment confirmation
4. Go to a passport center on your scheduled date
5. Bring: DPI (original + copy), payment receipt, old passport (if renewing)
6. Biometric data is captured at the center (photo, fingerprints)
7. Pick up your passport in 2–4 weeks

Passport Centers

Phone: 2411-2411 (IGM)

Warning: Appointments are free and only available through the official igm.gob.gt website. Do not pay “tramitadores” (brokers) who offer to get you an appointment for a fee.

Tips From a Local

1. Take a photo of your entry stamp. If your passport gets lost or stolen, having a photo of the entry stamp page speeds up the replacement process at your embassy.

2. The CA-4 clock is real. I have seen travelers surprised at the Honduras border when told they only have 15 days left because they already spent 75 days in Guatemala. Track your entry date.

3. Mexico visa runs are easy from Antigua. Multiple shuttle services run the Antigua–Tapachula route specifically for visa runs. It is a 5–6 hour drive each way, usually done as an overnight trip. See the transportation guide for shuttle options.

4. Keep $20–30 in small bills. Some land border crossings have “fees” that are not entirely official. Having small bills avoids overpaying. At official crossings, always ask for a receipt.

5. If you plan to stay more than 6 months, seriously consider getting residency. It is more paperwork upfront but eliminates the visa run cycle. You will also want a NIT (tax ID) for banking and leases.

Official Links

• IGM — Passport Requirements
• IGM — Appointment Scheduling
• IGM — Passport Center Locations

Staying longer? Check our residency guide or explore neighborhoods on the interactive map to find your ideal area. Also see how to move to Guatemala from the USA, the cost of living guide, and our safety guide.