A temporary residence permit allows a foreigner to stay in the country for two years, as well as engage in certain activities (paid work, volunteer work, etc.).

    —

    How to get a temporary residence permit in Guatemala?

    To obtain a temporary residence permit, applicants must provide:

• A recent passport photo;
• Valid passport with a copy;
• Certification of the validity of the passport of the applicant's country of residence;
• Criminal background check;
• Identification documents and financial statements from the applicant's guarantor in Guatemala, such as the employer's organization.

    —

    Permit to stay in Guatemala for more than 90 days

    If you are staying in Guatemala for more than 90 days, you should contact the General Directorate of Migration in Guatemala with a request to extend your stay. Such visas are usually issued within 15 days of the application.

    —

    Visa Ordinaria is a six-month residence permit in Guatemala

    If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you can apply for a six-month ordinary visa (Visa Ordinaria). Applicants must submit:

• A statement of support from the applicant's Guatemalan sponsor;
• Evidence of the applicant's financial capacity;
• Report on the police record of the applicant in Guatemala;
• Medical opinion;
• Police certificate from the applicant's previous place of residence;
• Birth certificate certified by the Guatemalan consulate in your country.

    Visa Ordinaria is usually issued within two months from the date of application. Applicants may work during the application review period if the Ministry of Labor of Guatemala has given permission to do so. 

    Visa Ordinaria can be extended for a further six months, with the necessary documents being resubmitted at each renewal.

    After the fourth renewal (that is, after two years of stay in the country under the Ordinaria visa), you have the right to permanent residence, which will not require such frequent renewals.

    —

    Pension visa (Pensionado)

    Foreign nationals who are retired and receiving an appropriate pension from abroad are eligible for this temporary two-year visa. This visa does not allow you to work in Guatemala, but you can run your own business or own income-producing real estate.

    To obtain a pension visa, you must submit:

• Recent photo;
• Passport together with a legally certified photocopy;
• Certificate of validity of your passport, issued by the embassy or consulate of your country and certified by the seal of the Guatemalan authorities;
• Absence of a criminal record from the previous country of residence;
• Identity documents and financial statements of the Guatemalan guarantor, which can be either an individual or an organization;
• Certified proof of guaranteed monthly income of at least $1,000 for the applicant and $200 for each dependent; it can be obtained from public or private pension or investment income;
• Evidence of deposits made in local banks from abroad.

    Pensionado is usually issued about three months after the application is submitted. 

    Retirement visa holders cannot spend more than one year continuously outside of Guatemala or lose their status (exceptions may be for medical reasons).

    —

    Investment resident visa

    Investment visas are granted to foreigners who invest at least $60,000 in Guatemala. To obtain an investment visa, you must submit:

• Passport and entry stamp;
• Clean police record for the last five years;
• Medical insurance certificate;
• Criminal background check from the country of previous residence;
• A document confirming the investment (purchase of government bonds held for five years);
• Guarantor (a person or company that guarantees your character and financial solvency).

    With this visa, you can have a business in Guatemala or get a job, and you can apply for citizenship just nine months after obtaining the right of residence. If you obtain citizenship on this visa, you only need to stay in the country for 21 days in the first year and only 28 days in the following two-year period.

    —

    Other types of visas:

1. Student visas (for elementary school, high school and/or university students) are valid for one year. 
2. Courtesy visas issued to diplomats are valid for one year. 
3. Temporales visas are issued to teachers or foreign students and are valid for one year. 
4. Visas for religious workers are valid for two years.