Guatemala has two international airports: La Aurora (located in Guatemala City) and Flores Petén (located near Flores, in the northern department of Peten). For those flying in international flights, its important to remember there’s a US$30.00 departure tax, which should be included in the ticket price. There is also an airport security tax of Q20.00 or US$3.00.
Guatemala also has two ports:
- Puerto Quetzal, located in the Pacific Ocean;
- Santo Tomás de Castilla, located in the Caribbean Sea.
Immigration Requirements
Not all foreigners need visas to enter the country North American and European citizens need only their valid passport, and will be granted 90 days permission in the country. However, if you have any doubts you should check with the Embassy before you leave your country.
Tourist visas are granted for a period between 30 to 90 days. Business visas are issued for 180 days. These visas may be obtained in an accredited Guatemalan Consulate in the traveler’s county of origin, or from the Director of Immigration in Guatemala City.
If you need more information go to: www.minex.gob.gt or www.servicios-legales.com.
Moving to Guatemala?
Basic items like food, housing and utilities are far lower than you would experience in most big North American and European cities. You don’t need to be a resident to begin your life in Guatemala since most foreigners receive 90 days permission as a tourist when they enter the country. An extension of another 90 days is permitted before deciding upon your residency status.
There are three basic options for most persons interested in residency.
#1. Temporary Residence: One year (Renewable) Fee Q500 ($65).
#2. Permanent Residency: Five years, Renewable. Fee: Q3,000 ($350).
#3. Permanent Pensionado/Rentista Status for life. No Fee*.
*To receive Retired Resident Citizen status or Rentier Resident Status you are required to prove pension and/or an investment income of US$1,000.00 per month. You’re also required to show an additional income of US$200.00 per month for each dependent.
To become a resident a proof of pension or investment income is required, along with a marriage certificate (if applicable), a police record certificate issued by your police department, a certified photocopy of your passport and a letter of validity of your passport issued by your embassy. (These documents, if not in Spanish, must be translated into Spanish by an official translator.)
You can begin the process before coming to Guatemala by working with the Guatemalan consulate nearest to you. However you are not required to attain residency before you arrive since it’s possible to live in Guatemala up to 180 days as a tourist prior to your application for residency.
Comment by katie at Apr 7th, 2007 10:36 pm ↑
i got a question for my boyfriend is from guatemala and he got a volinteer to departure witch means he can come back up here illegal im wounder how he could git a visa to aboard a plane frim guatemala city to the united states. cause he would like to come and see his son again
Comment by Juno888 at May 9th, 2007 7:45 pm ↑
it’s very nice to have the VISA to abroad coz i like those rooming around in this world coz were stell alive…
Comment by Jaslene at Dec 1st, 2007 12:57 pm ↑
I have a question. My grandma lives in Guatemala. She wants to come to the U.S to visit and travel what can she do? When she’s gone to the embasy they just tell her to go away, they don’t even look at her paperwork.
Comment by Danny at Dec 1st, 2007 9:55 pm ↑
Hi Jaslene she can go to the embasy and try again
Comment by Chiang Mai at Dec 21st, 2007 3:31 am ↑
Yes, You Can
Comment by ahmet hamdi at Dec 24th, 2007 1:46 pm ↑
please let me know if I reqire visa to visit Guatemala.
I hold Azarbeyjian passport. I am Azerbeyjian citizen.
Many thanks and best regards.
Comment by yen at Feb 4th, 2008 11:24 pm ↑
i holding myanmar passport will transit in guatemala to Belize do i need visa ?
Comment by hgg at Mar 8th, 2008 6:45 pm ↑
I was born in guatemala, and I’m an american citizen also. i want to go back to Guatemala and leave there…what do i need to do..
Comment by Danny at Mar 10th, 2008 3:33 pm ↑
Hi hgg, you can visit the link of the post http://www.minex.gob.gt/ and contact them.
Comment by rolando at Mar 11th, 2008 1:03 am ↑
Hi I’m an american citizen. my girlfriend lives in guatemala what can I do so she can come to the U.S with my help better said what dose she need from me? Thanks & take care
Comment by Marina at Mar 11th, 2008 4:32 pm ↑
I’m colombian and permanent resident in US (hold green card). Do I need to get a visa to go to Guatemala and If I do, What are the requirements for the visa. I have try to find a Guatemala embassy or consulate in US but haven’t been able to find it.
Thanks
Comment by Campervan Rental Australia at Apr 15th, 2008 5:48 pm ↑
Thank you so much for these information - just as needed as it can be.
Comment by Campervan Rental New Zealand at Apr 15th, 2008 8:40 pm ↑
Very informative article. Thanks
Comment by UDIT AGGARWAL at Apr 16th, 2008 7:56 am ↑
IM A RESIDENT OF INDIA LIVING IN NEW DELHI WANT TO COME TO GUATEMALA TO SEE THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY .. DO I NEED A VISA , WAT ALL PAPERS DO I NEED , HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE VISA AND WHERE TO APPLY FOR IT UR HELP WILL BE PRICELESS … THANK U FOR HELPING GOD BLESS U ….
Comment by Danny at Apr 16th, 2008 4:14 pm ↑
Hi UDIT AGGARWAL,
You need to contact Guatemalan Embassy in your country, they will help you.
Comment by UDIT AGGARWAL at Apr 18th, 2008 11:52 am ↑
but there is no guatemalan embassy in india
wat shud i do now ppl say i wud get visa from guatemala but how do i apply for it ???
Comment by Diven at May 17th, 2008 5:51 pm ↑
I have got a U.S Green Card and would like to travel with my wife who is a U.S Citizen to Guatemala from July 4th till the 20th. 2 weeks and was wondering if I need a VISA.
Thanks
Comment by cvander at May 17th, 2008 6:55 pm ↑
@Diven, if you have a U.S. passport you don’t need a VISA to enter Guatemala
Comment by Diven at May 21st, 2008 11:21 am ↑
Well I dont have a US passport all I have is a Green Card, do I need a visa.
Comment by Pampa at May 21st, 2008 12:55 pm ↑
As far as I know you only need to show your US residency card, not expire of course and the passport from your country to enter Guatemala. But where are you from? I dont mind to make a call and ask just for you to be sure.
Pingback by belize do you need me i want to come at Jun 2nd, 2008 11:53 pm ↑
[…] […]
Comment by Diven at Jun 9th, 2008 10:23 am ↑
I am originally from Fiji Islands, hold a green card here in United Staes but still have the fiji passport, do I need a visa to go to Guatemala.
Comment by Pampa at Jun 18th, 2008 12:08 pm ↑
Diven, I call the migration office in Guatemala and they told me that you don’t need a Visa for Guatemala.
You only need to show your Fiji Passport at the airport and your residency card of the USA (not expire of course). You are allowed to stay for 90 days.
Have a good time in Guatemala.
Comment by fissh at Jun 18th, 2008 8:53 pm ↑
i am from africa i life in U S A with green card. do i need visa to get guetemala?
Comment by PANKAJ MAURYA at Jun 25th, 2008 5:01 am ↑
I AM FROM INDIA DO I NEED VISA TO GET GUETEMALA.
AND IT IS MUST THEN HOW I APPLY FOR THIS VISA.
Comment by PANKAJ MAURYA at Jun 25th, 2008 5:03 am ↑
there is no guetemala visa counsulate in delhi can you pls advise whrere can i apply for this .
Comment by Edgar Carias at Jun 25th, 2008 6:29 pm ↑
Not sure about the visa requirements, contact your local Guatemalan Consulate at:
B-23 Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar New Delhi 110057
Cónsul ad honorem: Latika Kohli
Phone: (0091) 9810199492
Fax: (0091-11) 46558800-08
e-mail: honoraryconsulatika@guatemalaindia.com
Good luck!
Comment by bruce tah at Jul 4th, 2008 11:55 am ↑
how do i get a visa to visit guatemala from dominican republic. I am from cameroon on vacation. we do not have guatemala embassy in cameroon.
Comment by raj kumar at Jul 10th, 2008 2:22 am ↑
well i’m indian and i has been try to call mant time the local Guatemalan Consulate at deli but i not geta any ris……..
i don’t know what els i have to do ???????????
there is some one can tell about this??????///
thanks
Comment by Pampa at Jul 14th, 2008 12:04 pm ↑
I think then you might have to try to call to the ministry of foreign affairs in Guatemala: (502)2410-0150 or a fax to (502) 2410-0151.