Learn how to obtain a business visa in Guatemala to take advantage of opportunities in Central America. At Biz Latin Hub we can help you through the process and advise you on anything else you want to do in the country, such as how to register a company in Guatemala. Not only that, but we can help you anywhere else in Latin America and the Caribbean, thanks to our network of dedicated local offices across the region. This guide explains the visa exemption rules, the application process for those who require a visa, and the limitations of traveling for business purposes.
Key Takeaways: Obtaining a Business Visa in Guatemala
| Where do you apply for a Guatemalan business visa? | At a Guatemalan consulate. |
| Does Guatemala have visa agreements? | Guatemala is part of the visa-free CA-4 region. |
| What are the main documents required for a formal business visa application? | These typically include a valid passport, a passport-sized photo, the completed application form, proof of financial solvency, and round-trip flight itineraries. |
| Can you work with a business visa? | A business visa is for temporary visits and does not permit employment. |
Understanding Guatemala’s Visa Policy
Guatemala’s visa policy is based on bilateral agreements and categorizes countries. Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, and the EU, among others (Category “A”), can enter Guatemala for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa. Citizens of other countries (Categories “B” and “C”) must obtain a consular visa before traveling.
The 4-Step Process for a Business Visa Application
Expert Tip: Proof of Financial Solvency
From our experience with Guatemalan consular applications, providing strong proof of financial solvency is a key factor for success. While requirements can vary slightly between consulates, applicants should be prepared to provide more than just a single bank statement.
We advise applicants to submit recent bank statements for the last three to six months, recent credit card statements, and a letter from their employer confirming their salary and that the company will cover the trip’s expenses. Demonstrating that you have sufficient funds and stable financial backing significantly strengthens your application and reduces the likelihood of rejection.
Step 1: Determine if You Need a Visa
Check with the Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local consulate to confirm the visa requirements for your specific nationality.
Step 2: Gather the Required Application Documents
Collect all necessary documents, which typically include a valid passport, a passport-sized photo, the completed application form, proof of financial solvency, and round-trip flight itineraries.
Step 3: Submit the Application to a Guatemalan Consulate
Schedule an appointment and submit your application package in person at the nearest Guatemalan embassy or consulate.
Step 4: Pay the Fee and Receive the Visa
If your application is approved, you will pay the consular fee, and the visa will be affixed to your passport.
Do you need a business visa in Guatemala or residency?
A business visa in Guatemala is legal authorization for foreign nationals to enter and remain in the country when the main purpose of their visit is to represent a for-profit company located overseas or to provide a specific service on behalf of a foreign company. According to the Guatemalan Migration Institute, this visa is granted for a period of 180 days and can be extended for an additional period of 180 days.
On the other hand, a Guatemalan residence permit allows a foreign person to stay regularly in the country for an extendable period. However, if you wish to extend your stay in Guatemala as a resident for a period of more than five years, you must apply for permanent residency.
In accordance with article 78 of the Migration Code, foreigners looking to remain for more than five years in the country must apply for a permanent residence, except for those who stay in Guatemala for educational purposes.
Documents to obtain a business visa in Guatemala
The process for obtaining a business visa in Guatemala may vary depending on your country of origin and the type of business you plan to do in the country. However, the general requirements are usually the same, except for some additional procedures or documents that may be required depending on the type of visa requested. Some of the essential documents to obtain a business visa in Guatemala are:
- Application form.
- Recent photograph.
- Original passport.
- Legalized copy of passport.
- Original letter from the company sending the applicant to Guatemala, describing the business activities that will take place and who will pay the applicant’s expenses.
- Original letter from the company in Guatemala where the purpose of the visit is stated, if applicable.
- Certificate of Incumbency of the Legal Representative of the company and the Guatemalan company (the latter, only when applicable).
- Legalized copy of the Legal Representative of the company sending the applicant and the company receiving the applicant (the latter, only when applicable).
- Legalized copy of the Registration Certificate of the company sending the applicant and the company receiving the applicant (the latter, only when applicable).
How can you obtain residency in Guatemala?
The process of obtaining a residence permit, unlike a business visa in Guatemala, is aimed at those foreigners looking to reside in Guatemala, while doing business in the country. To make the request, foreigners must have an individual or legal entity to serve as guarantor and meet the necessary requirements stipulated by law, which would be the following:
- Notarial act of sworn declaration of the constitution of Guatemalan guarantor declaring its economic capacity, that will cover the expenses of permanence in the country and the expenses of the possible and eventual repatriation of the applicant.
- Financial Statements (Balance Sheet and Income Statement) or prove that the guarantor entity is affiliated to a Guatemalan business chamber.
- Legalized photocopy of personal identification.
- Notarial certificate of appointment of the legal representative.
- Legalized copy of trade patent and company patent.
- Notarial act containing the holding of the General Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting with Totalitarian Character of the guarantor entity.
- Savings deposit statements for the last three months with the signature and seal of the deputy chief, head, assistant manager, or manager of the bank.
FAQs on the business visa in Guatemala
According to our experience, these are the most common questions we receive.
There are many different types, but essentially break down into subclasses of Temporary and Permanent Residency. The business visa in Guatemala counts as the former.
It is called a business visa.
The process for obtaining a business visa in Guatemala may vary depending on your country of origin and the type of business you plan to do in the country. However, the general requirements are usually the same, except for some additional procedures or documents that may be required depending on the type of visa requested. Some of the essential documents to obtain a business visa in Guatemala are:
Application form.
Recent photograph.
Original passport.
Legalized copy of passport.
Original letter from the company sending the applicant to Guatemala, describing the business activities that will take place and who will pay the applicant’s expenses.
Original letter from the company in Guatemala where the purpose of the visit is stated, if applicable.
Certificate of Incumbency of the Legal Representative of the company and the Guatemalan company (the latter, only when applicable).
Legalized copy of the Legal Representative of the company sending the applicant and the company receiving the applicant (the latter, only when applicable).
Legalized copy of the Registration Certificate of the company sending the applicant and the company receiving the applicant (the latter, only when applicable).
The company must be duly incorporated in Guatemala. Also, they must be fully compliant with all local laws.
No, you do not. Generally speaking, foreigners have the same rights as Guatemalans when it comes to buying property, with some exceptions in specific areas (often close to borders and/or in sensitive zones such as the disputed territory with Belize).
All documents must be provided depending on the type of visa, i.e. there are types of visas that require all the documents of the foreign applicant duly authenticated and apostilled from the country of origin.
The CA-4 Agreement allows citizens of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua to travel freely between these four countries. A 90-day entry permit to any of these countries is valid for the entire CA-4 region.
Permitted activities include attending business meetings, participating in conferences, negotiating contracts, and conducting market research. You are not permitted to engage in local employment or receive a salary from a Guatemalan source.
Yes, it is possible to apply for a one-time 90-day extension at the Guatemalan General Directorate of Migration in Guatemala City. This must be done before your initial 90-day period expires.
To work legally, you must obtain a temporary residency permit with a work permit. This is a separate, more complex process that must be sponsored by a legally established company in Guatemala.
Biz Latin Hub can help with a business visa in Guatemala
Depending on your particular situation, and if the length of your visit is less than 90 days, it could be more practical to get a tourist visa upon arrival, as Guatemala has waived visa requirements for citizens of most European countries and the Americas. Conversely, if you plan to stay longer than a year and also plan to invest in the country, it might be more beneficial to apply for a residence permit.
At Biz Latin Hub, our team of multilingual legal and immigration experts are equipped to help you with your visa application and ensure the success of your business operations in Guatemala. With our full suite of market entry and back-office services, we are your single point of contact to do business in Central and South America. Reach out to us now to receive personalized assistance and learn how to do business in Guatemala.
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