Find Your Guatemala Visa
Answer a few simple questions and we'll tell you the visa type you need, the requirements, and next steps.
Step 1 of 3
How long are you staying?
Select your planned length of stay in Guatemala.
Will you be working?
This includes remote work, local employment, or starting a business.
What's your situation?
Select the option that best describes you.
What type of work?
Select the type of work activity you'll be doing.
No visa required
Tourist Visa
Most nationalities can enter Guatemala visa-free for up to 90 days. You just need your passport.
Requirements
- ✓ Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
- ✓ Return or onward flight ticket
- ✓ Proof of sufficient funds (rarely asked)
Details
Duration
Up to 90 days
Cost
Free (at airport)
Processing time
On arrival
Where
Airport/border
Pro Tips
- Guatemala is part of the CA-4 agreement with El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Your 90 days are shared across all 4 countries.
- You can extend for another 90 days by visiting the Direccion General de Migracion before your permit expires.
- Many expats do a "visa run" to Mexico or Belize to reset their 90 days, but this is not legally guaranteed.
Extension available
Tourist Extension or Pensionado
If you won't be working and are staying 90 days to 1 year, you can extend your tourist visa or apply for a Pensionado residency if retired.
Option A: Tourist Extension
- ✓ Valid passport
- ✓ Application form at Migracion
- ✓ Fee payment (Q200, ~$26 USD)
- ✓ Apply BEFORE your permit expires
Extension
Additional 90 days
Option B: Pensionado
- ✓ Proof of $1,000+/month pension
- ✓ Apostilled criminal background check
- ✓ Apostilled birth certificate
- ✓ Health certificate
Cost
~Q500 ($65 USD)
Timeline
2-4 months
Pro Tips
- The tourist extension is faster but temporary. If you plan to stay longer, Pensionado is the better path.
- For Pensionado, hire a local immigration lawyer (Q2,000-5,000 / $260-650 USD).
Temporary residency
Pensionado Visa
For retirees with verifiable monthly pension income. One of the most popular residency routes in Guatemala.
Requirements
- ✓ Proof of $1,000+/month pension
- ✓ Valid passport
- ✓ Apostilled criminal background check
- ✓ Apostilled birth certificate
- ✓ Health certificate
- ✓ 4 passport-sized photos
- ✓ Application letter addressed to Migracion
Details
Minimum income
$1,000 USD/month
Processing cost
~Q500 ($65 USD)
Processing time
2-4 months
Where
Direccion General de Migracion
Renewal
Annually
Pro Tips
- Social Security, military pension, and corporate pensions qualify. Proof: official letter from pension issuer.
- Hire a local immigration lawyer (Q2,000-5,000 / $260-650). The process is much smoother with legal help.
- All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated to Spanish by a sworn translator.
- After 5 years of temporary residency, you can apply for permanent residency.
Temporary residency
Rentista Visa
For people with passive income from investments, rentals, dividends, or savings. Doesn't require a formal pension.
Requirements
- ✓ Proof of $1,200+/month passive income
- ✓ Bank statements from last 6 months
- ✓ Valid passport
- ✓ Apostilled criminal background check
- ✓ Apostilled birth certificate
- ✓ Health certificate
Details
Minimum income
$1,200 USD/month
Processing cost
~Q500 ($65 USD)
Processing time
2-4 months
Where
Direccion General de Migracion
Renewal
Annually
Pro Tips
- Rental income, dividends, interest, and royalties qualify as "passive income."
- Having a substantial amount in savings ($50,000+) can serve as an alternative to monthly income proof.
- Pair this process with an immigration lawyer to simplify the paperwork.
Straightforward process
Residency by Marriage
If you're married to a Guatemalan citizen, you can apply for temporary residency directly.
Requirements
- ✓ Marriage certificate (registered in Guatemala or apostilled)
- ✓ Guatemalan spouse's DPI (national ID)
- ✓ Valid passport
- ✓ Apostilled criminal background check
- ✓ Apostilled birth certificate
- ✓ Health certificate
Details
Minimum income
Not required
Processing cost
~Q500 ($65 USD)
Processing time
1-3 months
Where
Direccion General de Migracion
Path to citizenship
After 2 years
Pro Tips
- If you married outside Guatemala, the marriage certificate must be apostilled and registered with Guatemala's RENAP.
- This is one of the fastest routes to residency and eventually citizenship (2 years vs 5 for other categories).
- Both spouses must appear together at Migracion for the interview.
Special visa
Student Visa
For studying at a recognized Guatemalan educational institution. Includes universities, Spanish schools, and academic programs.
Requirements
- ✓ Acceptance letter from the educational institution
- ✓ Valid passport
- ✓ Proof of sufficient funds
- ✓ Apostilled criminal background check
- ✓ Health certificate
- ✓ Academic transcripts (if applicable)
Details
Duration
Length of program
Processing cost
~Q400 ($52 USD)
Processing time
2-4 weeks
Where
Direccion General de Migracion
Work allowed
No
Pro Tips
- Spanish schools in Antigua and Quetzaltenango are the most popular for foreign students.
- For short programs (under 90 days), your tourist visa is sufficient -- no student visa needed.
- Student visa does not allow working. If you need to work, consider the remote worker visa.
New in 2025
Remote Worker Visa
Introduced in 2025, this visa allows foreigners working for foreign companies to legally reside in Guatemala while working remotely.
Requirements
- ✓ Proof of employment with a foreign company
- ✓ Minimum income of $1,500 USD/month
- ✓ Employment contract or employer letter
- ✓ Valid passport
- ✓ Apostilled criminal background check
- ✓ Bank statements from last 3 months
- ✓ Health insurance with Guatemala coverage
Details
Minimum income
$1,500 USD/month
Duration
1 year (renewable)
Processing cost
~Q600 ($78 USD)
Processing time
2-6 weeks
Where
Direccion General de Migracion
Pro Tips
- This visa is new and exact requirements may evolve. Consult with an immigration lawyer for the most current information.
- Freelancers with foreign client contracts may also qualify. Document your income well.
- Guatemala is an increasingly popular destination for remote workers thanks to its low cost of living and CST timezone.
- Popular cities for digital nomads: Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala City (zones 10, 14, 15).
Requires sponsor
Work Permit
For being hired by a Guatemalan company. Requires the employer to sponsor your work permit.
Requirements
- ✓ Job offer from a Guatemalan company
- ✓ Employer sponsors the permit
- ✓ Valid passport
- ✓ Apostilled criminal background check
- ✓ Apostilled professional degrees (if applicable)
- ✓ Health certificate
- ✓ Signed employment contract
Details
Sponsor
Guatemalan employer
Processing cost
~Q800 ($104 USD)
Processing time
1-3 months
Where
Ministry of Labor + Migracion
Renewal
Annually
Pro Tips
- The company must demonstrate no Guatemalan is available for the role (in practice, this is flexible for specialists).
- Guatemala has a quota: no more than 10% of a company's employees can be foreigners.
- If you already have the job offer, the company typically handles the process. You just provide the documents.
Investment required
Investor Visa
For entrepreneurs and investors who want to start or invest in a business in Guatemala.
Requirements
- ✓ Minimum investment of Q50,000 (~$6,500 USD)
- ✓ Business plan
- ✓ Proof of legitimate source of funds
- ✓ Business registration (Registro Mercantil)
- ✓ Valid passport
- ✓ Apostilled criminal background check
Details
Minimum investment
Q50,000 (~$6,500 USD)
Processing cost
~Q800+ ($104+ USD)
Processing time
2-6 months
Where
Registro Mercantil + Migracion
Renewal
Annually (with proof of operation)
Pro Tips
- Q50,000 is the legal minimum, but in practice you'll need more for a viable business.
- Popular sectors for foreign investors: tourism, restaurants, real estate, technology, and agriculture.
- Hire a corporate lawyer AND a local accountant. The process involves multiple government entities.
- Guatemala has free trade agreements with the US (CAFTA-DR) that facilitate American investment.
Disclaimer: This guide is informational and was last updated February 2026. Visa requirements can change. Always verify with the Direccion General de Migracion or an immigration lawyer for up-to-date official information.