Guatemala:Visa Requirements

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Guatemala Visa Requirements Map

Guatemala: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • The traveler must carry a valid, verifiably authentic, and in good condition passport or, where applicable, another accepted travel or identity document. The minimum validity period required for the passport for visa-free entry is not explicitly specified in the central official source. The number of blank pages required in the passport is also not explicitly specified in the central official source.
  • At entry control, the traveler is required to provide accurate information about the purpose of travel and the activity to be carried out in the country. The immigration officer may conduct an entry interview with the traveler. The traveler must not have any immigration restriction preventing entry into the country.
  • For tourist travel, financial means to cover the duration of stay may be demonstrated with cash or credit card. For those coming for business purposes, business documents proving the purpose of travel and financial responsibility, and when necessary, the presence of the guarantor in Guatemala may be requested. How many months of bank statements are required and the minimum amount of money the traveler must have are not explicitly specified in the central official source for visa-free entry.
  • The traveler must be able to present a hotel reservation, a document of accommodation, or the information of the host or contact person or entity in Guatemala. Additionally, they must carry a return ticket or another transport document indicating departure from Guatemala.
  • When a letter of invitation is required, the letter must include the full name, Guatemala ID number, full residential address, telephone number, and signature of the inviting person. The letter must be accompanied by an electricity or water bill showing the stated address and a copy of both sides of the inviting person's identity document.
  • The immigration officer may request additional documents regarding financial sufficiency, purpose of travel, accommodation, or invitation information when deemed necessary. It is also possible that other entry conditions are applied for security reasons.
  • The initial permitted duration of stay in tourist or traveler status may not exceed 90 days. The period may be extended only once and for a maximum of 90 more days by applying to the Guatemala Migration Authority. The total duration of stay from the first entry may not exceed 180 days.
  • Travel health insurance and the minimum coverage amount the insurance must have are not explicitly specified in the central official source. A requirement for a vaccination certificate or health document applicable to all travelers in general is also not explicitly specified in the central official source.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • The application procedure varies according to the visa procedure applicable to the applicant. Some applications are made directly to Guatemala's diplomatic mission or consulate, while applications requiring prior review are submitted to the Guatemala Migration Authority through a guarantor in Guatemala, and after approval, the visa is issued by the diplomatic mission.
  • The passport on which the visa will be issued must be valid for at least six months. A valid, in good condition passport or an accepted valid travel document must be presented. The requirement for a machine-readable or biometric passport is not explicitly specified in the central official source. The number of blank pages required in the passport is also not explicitly specified in the central official source.

Direct Consular Applications

  • The personal information, passport details, purpose of travel, and travel details on the application form must be completed fully. The method of submission and signature of the application form may vary according to the procedure of the diplomatic mission being applied to.
  • The applicant must submit their valid passport, travel itinerary, and income certificate or bank statements for the last three months. Financial documents may be in Spanish or English.
  • An internationally usable credit card must be presented. If a debit card is used, bank statements for the last three months must also be attached. The minimum balance required in the account is not explicitly specified in the central official source.
  • If paid consultancy or expert service is to be provided, a service request letter must be submitted. Depending on the purpose of travel, the consulate may request an employer letter, letter of invitation, event document, or other supporting documents.
  • The consular officer may call the applicant for an in-person or online interview when deemed necessary. Inconsistency between the information provided and the documents may result in the visa application being refused.
  • A minor applicant must come to the consulate with one parent, both parents, or their legal representative. The accompanying person's parental authority or legal representation must be proven with documents.
  • A valid US, Mexico, Canada, or Schengen visa held by some applicants may change the applicable Guatemala visa category and application procedure. As this assessment is individual, verification should be made with the relevant diplomatic mission before application.
  • For a single-entry tourist or traveler visa issued by the consulate, the central Ministry of Foreign Affairs fee schedule states USD 50, and for a multiple-entry tourist or traveler visa, USD 150. The payment method is not explicitly specified in the central official source and may vary according to the mission applied to.
  • The standard processing time for direct consular applications is not explicitly specified in the central official source. Nor has a single timeframe applicable to all missions been published regarding how many days before travel the application should be made.
  • The number of photos requested, exact dimensions, background color, date taken, and technical specifications for direct consular applications are not explicitly specified in the central official source. The current checklist of the mission being applied to should be used as a basis.

Pre-approved or Consultative Visa Applications

  • The application must be submitted in person to the Foreigners Sub-Directorate of the Guatemala Migration Authority by a registered individual or legal entity guarantor in Guatemala. The application file must be prepared using the official application form, without erasures or alterations.
  • The application form must include the foreigner's full name as in passport, place and date of birth, passport number and validity date, nationality, occupation or activity, marital status, purpose of travel, persons traveling with them, and their contacts in Guatemala. The guarantor's name or trade name, representative, Guatemala ID number, address, telephone number, email address, and relationship with the foreigner must also be written. The form must be signed by the guarantor.
  • The original valid passport and a legalized copy of the entire passport must be submitted. The copy may be legalized by a Guatemalan notary; the entire passport may be certified by an authorized authority, or the full copy of the passport may be legalized by an authorized official in the applicant's country.
  • If the applicant's country does not have an accredited diplomatic mission in Guatemala, a birth certificate is required.
  • An original criminal record or police clearance certificate obtained from the applicant's country must be submitted. The document may also be issued by the relevant embassy or consulate in Guatemala or another country. Alternatively, a record obtained from the country where the applicant resided in the last two years prior to entry into Guatemala may be accepted.
  • The guarantor in Guatemala must submit an up-to-date guarantor registration certificate. An individual guarantor must submit an income certificate and bank statement showing income earned in the last month before the application.
  • A legal entity guarantor must prove its financial activity and the required financial capacity with tax returns for the previous fiscal year. Newly established legal entities may be asked for estimated cash flows, investments, start-up capital, or other documents showing financial movements. The guarantor's financial capacity is evaluated based on the number of persons for whom it provides guarantees.
  • The purpose of travel must be evidenced by documents such as hotel reservations and tour packages. If visiting a Guatemalan citizen or foreign resident in Guatemala, the letter of invitation must explain the purpose of travel, place of stay, and means of transportation within Guatemala.
  • A receipt showing payment of the application fee must be attached to the file. The file acceptance fee for a consultative visa application submitted to the Guatemala Migration Authority is the equivalent of USD 25 in Guatemalan quetzals. The consular fee that may be applied later when the visa is issued at the consulate should be separately confirmed with the relevant mission.
  • Two recent, passport-sized photographs are required in the consultative visa file. One photograph is affixed to the application form, and the other is submitted for visa issuance. The photograph must be studio-type and printed on matte paper. The exact dimensions, background color, and date taken of the photograph are not explicitly specified in the central official source.
  • For a minor applicant, a birth certificate with apostille or legalized in accordance with Guatemalan law must be submitted. Full, legalized copies of the identity documents of the parents or legal representative are required.
  • The parents or legal representative must issue a written authorization granting the guarantor in Guatemala the authority to conduct the visa application on behalf of the child. The authorization may be given in a single or separate documents and must be apostilled or legalized in accordance with Guatemalan law.
  • Documents coming from abroad must generally be apostilled or legalized. Documents in languages other than Spanish must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator recognized in Guatemala, the relevant embassy or consulate, or another method accepted by law. Unless a different validity period is indicated on them, documents must not be older than six months at the date of application.
  • For applications made for the purpose of conferences, seminars, or workshops, the name of the invitee, the inviting organization, the purpose of the event, start and end dates, type of activity to be carried out, and venue of the event must be stated. The activity program, return ticket, and documents showing the legal status of the inviting organization are also required.
  • For expenses of a person invited by a private institution, a sworn statement of responsibility from the institution's official may be requested. Private institutions must also submit the representative's identity document, establishment and registration documents, notarized document showing representation authority, tax registration, and financial sufficiency documents.
  • For paid consultancy or expert activity, an original service request letter issued by the institution in Guatemala is required. The letter must state the fee to be paid. Private institutions must submit a signed and sealed letter explaining the duration of the activity, fee, work to be performed, and why the foreigner is needed as an expert, along with establishment and trade documents.
  • The consultative visa application must be decided by the Guatemala Migration Authority within a maximum of 30 days after all conditions are completed. When a request for missing or additional documents is notified, the documents must be completed within 30 days.
  • After the application is approved, the visa must be issued by Guatemala's diplomatic mission or consulate. If the applicant does not have the visa issued within six months of the approval notification, the approval decision loses validity.
  • A single-entry tourist or traveler visa may be valid for a minimum of six months and a maximum of twelve months, and grants one entry and one exit. A multiple-entry tourist or traveler visa may be valid for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years, and allows unlimited entries and exits during the specified period.
  • The validity period of the visa is not the same as the period one may stay continuously in the country. In tourist or traveler status, the initial stay may not exceed 90 days and may be extended only once, for a maximum of 90 more days.
  • Visa approval does not grant unconditional entry into Guatemala. The final entry assessment is made at the immigration control at the border. The competent authorities may verify the accuracy of information, request additional documents, conduct an interview, or refuse entry.
  • Travel health insurance and minimum insurance coverage are not explicitly specified in the central official source. Fingerprinting or other biometric registration is not explicitly stated as a mandatory application requirement for a general tourist or traveler visa in the central official source.
Population
18,967,978(2026 est.)
Official language
Spanish
Government type
Presidential republic
Continent
North America
Capital
Guatemala City
Currency
Guatemalan quetzals
Area
108,889 km²
Phone code
+502

Guatemala: Key Destinations

Guatemala City is the nation's capital and primary gateway, hosting La Aurora International Airport. Major cities include Antigua Guatemala, known for its colonial architecture, and Quetzaltenango, a key commercial hub.

Cultural highlights include the ancient Maya city of Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the scenic Lake Atitlán surrounded by volcanoes. The Pacific and Caribbean coasts offer beaches and ecotourism opportunities, while Semuc Champey features natural limestone pools.

Travelers often fly into Guatemala City and then connect to Antigua or Lake Atitlán by shuttle or bus. Many itineraries combine highlands, ruins, and coastal areas, with domestic flights or longer bus rides linking major destinations.