Overview
Acuerdo IGM-016-2025, the residence regulation of the Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración (IGM), includes among the temporary-residence routes for migrant workers a case for people whose employer is abroad: they show bank statements with remuneration from abroad of at least US$2,000 a month received over the last year — US$3,000 if dependants come along — or an equivalent certificate from a public accountant, legalised or apostilled.
You file in Guatemala with the IGM's Foreigners Sub-directorate. Filing the application authorises you to remain in the country while it is processed.
Editor's note — Guides call this Guatemala's digital nomad visa, but the regulation speaks of migrant workers with a foreign employer. It is a residence, not a visitor permit: you apply from inside Guatemala and can hold it for up to five years.
Who is eligible
- Foreign national working for an employer abroad and paid from abroad.
- Remuneration from abroad of at least US$2,000 a month over the last year (US$3,000 with dependants), or a public accountant's certificate.
- Passport with your latest Guatemalan entry stamp, a legalised copy, and a migration-movement certificate.
- Criminal-record certificate from your country of origin, or from your country of residence in the two years before entering Guatemala.
- Application form and proof of payment of the application fee.
Income & financial requirements
From abroad, received over the last year.
Per month, same evidence.
Filing fee (IGM official tariff).
1 year US$200 · 2 years US$300 · 3–5 years US$500.
The regulation asks for bank statements showing remuneration from abroad of at least US$2,000 a month received during the last year — or US$3,000 if dependants accompany you — or, alternatively, a certificate from a public accountant (or the equivalent professional under the law of the country concerned) confirming the same, with legalised signatures or an apostille.
Costs & fees
- US$25 to file the residence application (and US$25 to file an extension).
- Residence fee of US$200 for one year, US$300 for two years or US$500 for three to five years (IGM official tariff 2026).
- Apostilles or legalisation of foreign documents.
Taxes
Guatemala's income tax (Decree 10-2012) applies to income obtained in Guatemalan territory. Whether pay for remote work done while you live there counts as Guatemalan-source depends on how the work is organised and paid, so take local advice before you settle; your home-country obligations continue.
How to apply
Enter Guatemala
Keep your passport stamp; you will also need a migration-movement certificate showing your latest entry.
Prepare the file
Application form, passport and legalised copy, criminal record, bank statements or accountant's certificate, and the fee receipt.
File with the IGM
Submit to the Foreigners Sub-directorate; you may remain in the country while the application is processed.
Receive and extend
The residence is granted for one to five years; file any extension 30 days before it expires.
Duration & renewal
One to five years, as requested and decided by the IGM, and extendable. To stay beyond five years as a resident you move to permanent residence under article 78 of the Migration Code.
Bringing family
Spouses, partners and relatives within the legal degrees can apply with you for the same term and status, each with documents proving the relationship; the income requirement rises to US$3,000 a month when dependants accompany you.
Pros & cons
Advantages
- Moderate income bar (US$2,000 a month)
- Up to five years of residence
- A route to permanent residence
- Apply from inside the country
Considerations
- A year of foreign-income history is required
- Documents must be legalised or apostilled
- New regulation — practice may vary
- Tax treatment of remote pay needs local advice