Many people have ask exactly what the process is to become a resident in Guatemala.

Thanks to a long time resident, this is the process from start to finish.

1. The first thing is to visit the Migration office at 4th Calle 4-37, Zone 9, Guatemala City, and obtain a “Solicitud de Visa Residente Permanente”.

To gain this residency, you need to find a guarantor who is a Guatemalan citizen/or company who pays income tax to SAT (like the IRS in the US), has a bank account, is employed/or an active income prodcing company, and shows a reported income of at least Q15,000.00 a month. This residency will allow you become actively employed in Guatemala, should that be your choice.

Now, this applies to people who are not in the retired status, and are not receiving income from other sources such as a guaranteed income from a certified pension plan or Social Security and the like. If you are receiving a required is currently $1200.00 per month. In this area, you can become a “Rentista”. That means you will not be actively employed, but simple retired.

2. Documents Required to be handed in with Solicitud (application):

- For Guarantor:

o Signed legal document taking full economic responsibility for person seeking Permanent Residency.
o Copy of guarantor’s Cedula.
o Copy of Nit Card.
o SAT forms for previous tax year.
o Copies of personal bank account statements from previous 2 months showing at least Q.15,000 per month deposits.

- For Applicant seeking Permanent Residency:

o Permanent Visa application.
o Legal declaration affirming information in above application.
o Copy of Passport, including page with Temporary Residency Stamp and authenticated by Lawyer
o Police report (Antecedentes Penales) from Guatemala.
o Police report from your Country of Origin.
o Certificate confirming previous receipt of Temporary Residency.

3. Return time and again to inquire about your file and futher requirements.

Your file will be assigned to an Immigration Officer. Hours are 8:00 – 12:00 noon, Monday to Thursday to inquire about your case. No one will contact you!

4. Receive confirmation of Approval of your Permanent Residency.

5. An Interview date will be assigned.

o Need 2 black/white passport photos
o Q 3,000 to pay Residency Tax
o Pink copy of Residency approval.

6. Go to INGUAT (Zona 4) to pay Residency Tax of Q 3,000 and return with receipt to Migracion (Zona 9).

7. 3 days later return to Migracion to pick up approved form completed at Interview. (pink slip)

8. Apply for CEDULA in Municipalidad where you live.

Antigua Requirements:

o 2 witnesses (testigos)
o Copies of witnesses Cedulas
o Purchase 2 Boletos de Ornato in Municipal Office.
o Fee = Q 140
o 2 authenticated (by lawyer) copies of pink page received after interview.
o 3 cedula size black/white photos.

9. Receive Cedula, Hurray !!

10. Go to INGUAT – 2nd. Floor – Permanent Residency window with:

o Original Passport
o Copy of passport plus page with Temporary Residency stamp.
o Pink page received aftr interview at Migration office.
o Copy of pink page.
o Cedula
o Original certificate received with issue of Cedula.
o Copy of certificate received with issue of Cedula

11. Return several days later to pick up your Passport, Cedula and original Documents. Passport now has your Permanent Residency Stamp!!

12. Believe it or not, you are done!!

13. You can now get your Guatemalan Driver’s License, register for voter’s list and your bank will want you to update your information.

As of August 2009 the Cedula is being replaced by a new ID (DPI Documento Personal de Identificación)