Guatemala · Digital nomad visa
Guatemala digital nomad visa: requirements for Americans
Short answer
The main route is the Temporary residence for remote employees (residencia temporal, trabajador migrante con empleador extranjero). Employees of a company abroad who want to live in Guatemala. It doesn't cover freelancers paid by foreign clients.
- Money needed: $2,000 a month of pay from abroad over the last year ($3,000 with dependants)
- How long it lasts: 1 to 5 years, renewable
- Leads to: Permanent residence after 5 years, with a Guatemalan guarantor (fee $700)
Key facts
- Money needed
- $2,000 a month of pay from abroad over the last year ($3,000 with dependants)
- How long it lasts
- 1 to 5 years, renewable
- Leads to
- Permanent residence after 5 years, with a Guatemalan guarantor (fee $700)
- Apply from
- Inside Guatemala as a visitor, or at a Guatemalan consulate
- Processing time
- No official deadline; real waits Not yet verified
Checked against the law Rules read in the 2025 residence regulation.
Not yet verified Read from an archived copy of the official file; the start date comes from secondary reports.
Not established yet Whether these years count toward citizenship.
Pending change A remote-work bill in Congress may change labor rules; its effect here is unknown.
What you need
- Passport: valid original, plus a full certified copy showing your last entry stamp
- Police record: from the US (FBI or state), apostilled and translated
- Pay proof: 12 months of bank statements, or an accountant's certificate with an apostille
- Entry record: a certificate of your movements from the immigration office ($10)
- Papers from abroad: apostille, Spanish translation, and no older than 6 months
- Fees: $25 to file, then $200 (1 year), $300 (2 years) or $500 (3–5 years)
- After approval: register within 30 days and get your resident ID card (DPI)
- Every year: update your details and show a tax-clearance certificate
Good to know
- Work permit: the rules may also require one within 3 months Needs review
- Local jobs: working for a Guatemalan employer needs a different permit.
- Absences: more than a year away without permission can cancel your residence.
Every Guatemala residency route, compared → The full Guatemala guide →
Questions people ask
How much income do I need for Guatemala's digital nomad visa?
$2,000 a month of pay from abroad over the last year ($3,000 with dependants)
How long does it last?
1 to 5 years, renewable
Does it lead to permanent residence or citizenship?
Permanent residence after 5 years, with a Guatemalan guarantor (fee $700)
Where do I apply?
Inside Guatemala as a visitor, or at a Guatemalan consulate
How long does processing take?
No official deadline; real waits (Not yet verified)