This information is relevant for every company in Guatemala that hires foreign personnel and relocates them to work in the country, as well as for any foreign national who wishes to visit Guatemala or reside in the country on a temporary or permanent basis. Likewise, the new provisions apply to both employers and individuals, covering situations related to employment, temporary residence, investment, study, or permanent residence within the national territory.
The National Immigration Authority has approved three new immigration regulations: the Guatemalan Visa Regulation (Agreement IGM-015-2025), the Guatemalan Residence Regulation (Agreement IGM-016-2025), and the Regulation for the Registration of Ordinary Immigration Status of the Guatemalan Migration Institute (Agreement IGM-017-2025). These regulations form the central framework for residence procedures in Guatemala and enter into force on October 8.
For entry into the country, Guatemala requires nationals from certain countries to obtain a Consular or Consulted Visa. Under the new regulation, these visas may now be easier to obtain, as certain requirements have been eliminated that previously represented a significant barrier to the application process—for example, the requirement to provide a Certificate of Validity and Currency of the applicant’s passport. In addition, new provisions have been established for nationals of Category “B” and “C” countries, which facilitate the visa application and issuance process and may even eliminate the need to obtain a visa to enter Guatemala.
Regarding the Registry of Guarantors, regulated under the Regulation for the Registration of Ordinary Immigration Status of the Guatemalan Migration Institute, several requirements have been eliminated that were previously the subject of frequent objections during case review, such as the submission of the company’s financial statements. Likewise, in the case of Guatemalan residencies, the new regulation introduces new immigration categories, such as the Self-Employed Worker and the Worker with a Foreign Employer. Additionally, existing categories and residency renewal processes include significant changes, among them the elimination of the Certificate of Validity and Currency in certain cases.
For more information or legal advice on how to comply with these updated regulations, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].