Visas & Customs Requirements

Employment:

Individuals who will work in Guatemala must obtain a Residence Visa and Work Permit. Both documents are valid for one year and are renewed in Guatemala.

A Guatemalan corporate sponsor is required to prepare specific immigration and labour documents. The application process is completed in two phases; obtaining a residence permit and the subsequent obtainment of a work permit. The residence permit MUST be obtained prior to filing for the work permit. Both visas must be obtained in Guatemala.

The sponsoring Guatemalan employer must present the following documents:

• Sworn declaration of Responsibility.
• Sworn Guarantee.
• Job offer letter
• Act from Board of Directors.
• Accounting certification/tax return forms.

When applying for the visa, the employee (and any dependent) must submit the following documents:

• Complete passport copies of your passport and the passports of each dependent.
• An up to date resume in Spanish
• Two passport style photographs
• Job Title and Description of duties in Guatemala.
• Police record of good conduct for the employee with legalization at the Consulate of Guatemala in the countries where he/she has resided for the last five years.
• Certificado de Validez y Vigencia. This is a letter or certificate from the passport issuing authority, which verifies the passport's validity and certifies that it is a true document. The Certificate must then be legalized at the Consulate of Guatemala.

General Processing Times

Residence Permit= 3 months
Work Permit= 1-2 months