Residency in Guatemala

Guatemala is not generally considered a tax haven. It doesn't come close to the stigma of Panama or Costa Rica when it comes to tax evasion.

Yet for many, Guatemala is still synonymous with war, sociopolitical instability, and more or less rampant corruption, coupled with crime and money laundering. This reputation is partly deserved and partly an unfair remnant of a troubled past.

• Two recent photographs
• A valid passport
• A letter of sponsorship from a Guatemalan sponsor
• Proof of financial resources of both the applicant and the sponsor
• Submit your application and supporting documents to the Guatemalan Central Immigration Office.

Generally this visa is issued fifteen days after the application.

• Another statement of support from the applicant's Guatemalan sponsor
• Proof of the applicant's financial resources
• A criminal history report of the applicant for residency in Guatemala
• A medical report
• A Criminal Record and Pending Charges
• A birth certificate authenticated by a Guatemalan consulate in Italy.
• While awaiting approval for the ordinary visa, an applicant can work if the permit is granted by the Ministry of Labor in Guatemala City. According to Guatemalan immigration authorities, processing the ordinary visa takes up to two months, during which time the immigration office retains only a validated photocopy of the passport.

Cost (subject to change)

• 90-day visa Q115.35
• Ordinary Visa Q115.35
• Ordinary Visa Extension Q115.35

The Oficina de Extranjeros at the Central Immigration Office also issues other types of visas to foreigners:

• Student visa: valid for one year. Mandatory for elementary, high school, and university students.
• Courtesy visa: valid for one year. Issued to members of the diplomatic community. Visas for foreign retirees.
• Temporary Visas: Issued for 12 months to foreign teachers or students.
• Visas for Religious Workers: Valid for two years. To apply for an ordinary visa, contact us via form or email. In addition to obtaining residency in Guatemala, you will probably be interested in creating a life insurance policy for your tax situation by taking up a second tax residence in a country with territorial taxation, such as a Residency Visa in Panama or one Residency Visa in ParaguayYou might also be tempted to find out what advantages there would be in moving to the Mexican economic giant, taking up residence in Mexico

To begin your residency transfer process, contact us at info@studiopanamaitalia.com, sending us a copy of your passport and the specific dates for starting and taking up residency in the country of your choice, or contact us through the contact form on this website or via WhatsApp.

Incorporation in Guatemala can take a long time

While the time to incorporate a company is theoretically only a couple of days, it usually takes several weeks to complete. The cost of incorporation is generally very high compared to Panama and even Uruguay. The high costs are largely due to the complex bureaucratic procedures and the lack of competition.

• At least one founder. It can be a corporate founder.
• Minimum two shareholders. Can be corporate.
• No residency requirements for directors and shareholders.
• A local legal representative must be appointed.
• Minimum paid-up share capital of 2,000 GTQ.
• Registered office in Guatemala.

• At least one director. It could be corporate.
• Minimum two shareholders. Can be corporate.
• No residency requirements for directors and shareholders.
• A local legal representative must be appointed.
• Minimum paid-up share capital of 5,000 GTQ.
• Registered office in Guatemala.
• The shareholders of a public limited company are not subject to public disclosure.