DIRECT ACCESS TO IGM
Guatemala Migration Institute
Which one?- IGM Portal — institutional, forms, office locations, complaints
- Residency — temporary, permanent, investor, retiree, digital nomad
- Passport — printing (issuance by MINEX); abroad use the consulate
- Minor Exit — authorization for Guatemalan minors traveling without parents
Phone: 2411-2411 · Address: 6a Av 3-11 Zona 4, Guatemala City · Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00-16:30 · Verified: May 2026
The IGM (Guatemala Migration Institute) is Guatemala’s national migration authority. It is attached to MINGOB but operates with its own portal and autonomy. It handles everything related to foreigners living in Guatemala (residencies, naturalization), Guatemalans leaving the country (passport printing, minor authorizations), and migration control at La Aurora and Mundo Maya airports and land borders.
Quick rule: Foreigner wanting to live in Guatemala? → IGM Residency. Parent and your child travels without you? → IGM exit permit. Need a passport while in Guatemala? → File at IGM (issued by MINEX). In the US and need a passport? → Go to the consulate, not IGM.
IGM sub-portals
| Portal | Purpose |
|---|
| igm.gob.gt | Institutional site, office locations, migration regulations |
| igm.gob.gt/residencia | Temporary, permanent, investor, retiree, digital nomad residency |
| igm.gob.gt/pasaporte | First passport, renewal (printed in Guatemala) |
| igm.gob.gt/menores | Travel authorization for minors |
| igm.gob.gt/naturalizacion | Naturalization — acquiring Guatemalan nationality |
| igm.gob.gt/tramites-online | Online services, appointments, status check |
| igm.gob.gt/control-migratorio | Entry and exit statistics, special regimes |
| MINGOB Migration | Coordination with General Directorate of Migration (lead entity) |
| minex.gob.gt | Passport (issuance), apostille, consular procedures abroad |
Most-searched IGM procedures
Residency for foreigners
Passports and travel
Naturalization
Residency categories — comparison table
| Category | Main requirement | Initial validity | Renewable | Path to permanent |
|---|
| Temporary | Active link (study, work, religious) | 1-2 years | Yes | After 5 years |
| Permanent | 5 years of temporary or marriage to Guatemalan | 5 years | Yes | Already permanent |
| Investor | USD 100K+ in business or productive real estate | 2 years | Yes | At 5 years |
| Retiree/Rentista | Passive income USD 1,000+/month (pension, rent, dividends) | 2 years | Yes | At 5 years |
| Digital Nomad | Remote income USD 3,500+/month, foreign contract | 1-2 years | Yes | At 5 years |
| Marriage | Marriage certificate to Guatemalan + spouse DPI | 1 year (provisional) | Yes | At 2 years |
Before any IGM procedure — checklist
| Have ready | Why |
|---|
| Valid passport from country of origin | Minimum 6 months validity remaining |
| Apostilled criminal record from country of origin | Valid (<6 months), translated to Spanish if not in Spanish |
| Proof of lawful means of living | Work letter, pension, tax return, bank accounts |
| Apostilled birth certificate | For residency, naturalization, marriage |
| Medical certificate | Free of contagious diseases (RENAP/MSPAS both accepted) |
| Recent white-background photo | Passport size (4x4 cm) |
| Address in Guatemala | Utility bill or lease agreement |
| Sponsorship (if applicable) | Employer, Guatemalan spouse, educational institution |
| IGM fees paid | Authorized bank, NO cash accepted at offices |
Diaspora — Guatemalans in the US and returning residents
| Situation | What to do |
|---|
| You live in the US and need a passport | File at the nearest Guatemalan consulate (NOT at IGM). Time 4-12 weeks. See consulates |
| Your child was born in the US and you want a Guatemalan passport | First birth registration at consulate/RENAP, then passport at consulate |
| You return to live in Guatemala with a foreign spouse | Spouse applies provisional residency by marriage (1 year) and permanent at 2 years |
| You return with foreign minor children | They apply for temporary residency by family reunification via your Guatemalan DPI |
| Your foreign parents come to live with you | They can apply for retiree residency (if they have a pension) or by family reunification |
| You are Guatemalan with dual nationality | Allowed — Guatemala accepts dual nationality. The Guatemalan passport stays independent |
| Your Guatemalan child travels to the US without you | You must sign Minor Travel Authorization at consulate or before notary and send it with the minor |
| You marry a Guatemalan in the US | US marriage certificate is apostilled and registered with RENAP Guatemala. Then you can apply for residency |
IGM service centers
| Office | Address |
|---|
| Headquarters | 6a Avenida 3-11 Zona 4, Guatemala City |
| Quetzaltenango | Xela regional office |
| Coban | Alta Verapaz regional office |
| Peten | Santa Elena regional office |
| La Aurora Airport | Migration control (entries/exits) |
| Mundo Maya Airport (Peten) | International migration control |
| Tecun Uman Border | Mexico border (Southwest) |
| El Carmen Border | Mexico border (North) |
| Agua Caliente Border | Honduras border |
| Valle Nuevo Border | El Salvador border |
| Melchor de Mencos Border | Belize border |
Updated complete list: igm.gob.gt
More Guatemala State resources