Temporary residence for migrant workers
Guatemalan employer, foreign employer or self-employed
IGM grants temporary residence to foreign workers hired by a Guatemalan employer, posted by a foreign employer, or working on their own account. It lasts for the length of the specific contract, up to 5 years. IGM also runs temporary residence categories for students, investors, artists, athletes, researchers and religious ministers, with the same fee scale. After approval, the resident must register biometrics within 30 days and update their data every year.
1 entry rule for Guatemala based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Guatemala
Money
3
Currency
Guatemalan Quetzal
GTQ
Guatemalan Quetzal
Cost of living
45
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
5–7%
Income tax (national)
VAT (IVA) 12%
5% on annual taxable employment income up to GTQ 300,000; 7% on the excess. A personal deduction applies.
Living
1
Happiness
#40 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals with a work contract in Guatemala, people sent by a foreign employer, and self-employed people.
Eligibility
Work contract
A signed and legalised employment contract, plus a certificate from the Ministry of Labour where applicable.
Employer documents
The hiring company provides its full tax registration (RTU), commercial and company licences (Patente de Comercio and Patente de Empresa), financial statement or income proof, annual tax return, and a letter explaining the role and time needed.
General residence requirements
Show a valid passport, police and criminal record certificates, and a certificate of your migration movements showing your last entry.
- Passport copy must be fully legalised and include the last entry stamp
- Police certificate covers your country of origin or residence in the last 2 years
Official wording
Valid passport with a full legalised copy including the last entry stamp, police and criminal record certificate from your country of origin or residence in the last 2 years (valid 6 months), and a certificate of your migration movements showing your last entry.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklistResidence application form (migrant worker - principal; separate form for dependants)
- FeesResidence application filing
- Steps to applyThe employer prepares the contract and company documents; obtain a Ministry of L
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 6 documents
- 6 fees
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Guatemala
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