Recently the Guatemalan Institute of Migration -IGM- published new regulations and reforms to existing regulations that, among other issues, regulate requirements for obtaining visas, residences, guarantees, certifications, being these the following:
Migratory Services Tariff of the IGM, Agreement of the National Migratory Authority Number 3-2022.
Regulation of Guatemalan Visas, Agreement of the National Migratory Authority Number 3-2019.
Regulation of Registration of Ordinary Migratory Status of the IGM, Agreement of the National Migratory Authority Number 4-2022.
Regulation for the Issuance of Certifications and Certificates of the IGM, Agreement of the National Migratory Authority Number 5-2022.
The following is a summary of the main changes included in each regulation.
a) Tariff for Migratory Services of the IGM, Agreement of the National Migratory Authority Number 3-2022.
Travel Documents. Ordinary Guatemalan passports may be valid for 5 or 10 years. Passports valid for 10 years will be issued as of the last week of May 2022, however, these will not be applicable for minors. See IGM Communiqué No.6-2022 dated 6/5/2022.
Residency Fees. The fee is according to the number of years granted or the type of residency or visa requested.
Guatemalan guarantor registration fee. Applies to any individual or legal entity that registers before the IGM to be a guarantor in favor of foreigners in their visa or residency processes.
Fulfillment of annual obligations. The fulfillment of the obligations of residents or permanent residents regulated by the Immigration Code and other regulations will be understood as the year of the corresponding fiscal year.
b) Regulation of Guatemalan Visas, Agreement of the National Migratory Authority Number 3-2019.
Tourist visas for nationals category C. It adds as requirements, to present economic capacity through recent proof of income accompanied by bank statements of the last 3 months that reflect income equivalent to 3 minimum wages in force in Guatemala (US$1,200 approximately); round trip transportation ticket; accredit hotel reservation and tourist packages, presenting the issued invoice or letter of invitation and updated proof of registration of Guatemalan guarantor.
Travel visas for category C nationals who will carry out remunerated activities. Additional requirements are to present economic capacity through recent proof of income accompanied by bank statements of the last 3 months that reflect income equivalent to 3 minimum wages in force in Guatemala (approximately US$1,200); round trip transportation ticket; original letter of requirement of services and updated proof of registration of Guatemalan guarantor.
c) Regulations for Registration of Ordinary Migratory Status of the IGM, Agreement of the National Migratory Authority Number 4-2022.
Updating of data for residents and guarantors. In case of non-compliance it will be impossible to extend their residency and in the case of guarantors to appear in an application for residency and/or Guatemalan visa.
Migratory Field Verification Unit. The IGM may conduct field visits to verify any information and documents submitted in the guarantor applications, in cases where there is doubt or information cannot be validated.
Guarantors for Guatemalan visa applicants. The Guatemalan guarantor must have a monthly income of at least 5 minimum wages (approximately US$2,000). They cannot be guarantors simultaneously of 3 Guatemalan visa applicants, unless it is a family group.
Guarantors for applicants for temporary residence. They must have economic capacity of monthly income of at least 3 minimum wages (US$1,200 approximately). The legal entity may prove its economic capacity through the profit and loss statement and balance sheet of the previous fiscal year or proof of being registered or belonging to a business chamber or guild. The guarantor of temporary residences will not be limited as to the number of times it can be constituted as guarantor.
Obligations of the guarantors. To update their data annually; to be jointly and severally responsible for all expenses of stay, food, return, repatriation and expulsion; to inform of the death of persons with ordinary migratory status; to notify of change of migratory status or departure of the foreigner from the country.
d) Regulations for the Issuance of Certifications and Certificates of the IGM, Agreement of the National Migratory Authority Number 5-2022.
Validity and verification. The certifications and certificates issued by the IGM will be valid for one year from the date of issuance and may be verified electronically 3 times.
For further information, please contact us at csandoval@consortiumlegal.com.