The Pase Especial de Viaje (Special Travel Pass) is an emergency travel document issued by Guatemala’s Instituto Guatemalteco de Migracion (IGM) for foreign residents who find themselves unable to obtain or renew a passport from their country of origin. This is a niche but essential document for residents who face exceptional circumstances that prevent them from accessing normal consular services from their home country.

Situations that might require a special travel pass include political crises in the resident’s home country that have shut down embassy operations, refugees or stateless persons who have legal residency in Guatemala but no functioning consular representation, or cases where a resident’s passport has expired and their home country’s embassy or consulate cannot issue a renewal within a reasonable timeframe. It is not intended for convenience or to bypass the normal passport renewal process.

This document allows the holder to exit and re-enter Guatemala for urgent travel needs. It is not a full passport substitute and its acceptance by other countries varies. If you have a functioning embassy or consulate for your home country in Guatemala, you should obtain or renew your passport through them instead.

Quick summary: The special travel pass is for foreign residents who cannot get a passport from their home country due to exceptional circumstances. Apply at IGM with proof of residency and justification. Processing takes 1-2 weeks.

Information verified March 2026.

Requirements

  • Valid Guatemalan residency permit (constancia de residencia vigente)
  • Identification document of the applicant
  • IGM application forms
  • Written justification explaining why a passport cannot be obtained from the country of origin
  • Supporting evidence (embassy closure notices, correspondence showing denial, etc.)

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Document your situation — gather evidence showing why you cannot obtain a passport (embassy correspondence, official notices, etc.)
  2. Prepare a written justification explaining the exceptional circumstances
  3. Visit IGM offices in Guatemala City with your residency permit and supporting documents
  4. Submit application and pay the applicable fee per IGM’s current tariff schedule
  5. IGM reviews the request and verifies your residency status
  6. Receive the special travel pass if approved (typically 1-2 weeks)

Tips & Common Mistakes

  • This is truly a last resort. IGM will ask why you cannot use your home country’s consular services. If your passport simply expired and your embassy can renew it, you will be directed to the embassy instead.
  • Keep your residency permit current. The pase especial is only available to residents with valid status. If your residency has lapsed, resolve that first.
  • Contact your embassy before applying to IGM. Get written confirmation that they cannot issue you a passport, as IGM will likely require this documentation.
  • Allow enough time. Do not wait until you have an emergency flight in two days. Processing takes 1-2 weeks under normal circumstances.

Edge Cases & Special Situations

Details

The pase especial is particularly important for refugees and stateless persons who have legal residency in Guatemala:

  • UNHCR-recognized refugees who cannot access their home country’s consular services can apply for the pase especial as their primary travel document.
  • Stateless persons with Guatemalan residency who have no country to issue them a passport.
  • Documentation: Bring your UNHCR registration, any refugee status documentation, and your Guatemalan residency permit.
  • International acceptance: The pase especial combined with UNHCR documentation is generally accepted by airlines and most countries, but verify with the destination country’s embassy before traveling.
Details

When your home country’s embassy in Guatemala closes or cannot function:

  • Temporary closures: If the embassy is closed temporarily (staffing issues, security concerns), IGM may ask you to wait. The pase especial is for situations where the closure is prolonged or indefinite.
  • Political crises: If your country is experiencing a political crisis that prevents consular services, bring news articles or official notices documenting the situation.
  • Sanctions: If your country is under international sanctions that affect consular operations, document this clearly.
  • Alternative: Check if your country has a consulate in a neighboring country (Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica) that could issue a passport. IGM may direct you there first.
Details

These are two different emergency travel documents:

  • Pase Especial de Viaje: For foreign residents in Guatemala who cannot get a passport from their home country. Issued by IGM.
  • Salvoconducto: A safe-conduct pass for undocumented foreigners being repatriated or deported. Also issued by IGM but under different circumstances.
  • Pasaporte Provisional (from your embassy): Some embassies issue temporary/emergency passports. If your embassy can do this, it is preferred over the pase especial.