Guatemala Passport Visa | Guatemala humbly has it all: from colonial towns to Mayan ruins, great mountain lakes to vibrant religious festivals, sandy beaches to exotic jungles. Often visitors to the country find they leave enlightened; civilisations they believed long gone are found thriving, Tomb Raider landscapes they thought fantasy are shown to be real.
Antiquity is at the heart of Guatemala, and the country is home to many spectacular Mayan archaeological sites, most significantly the vast UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal, where great towers peep through the rainforest canopy and monkeys swing past the sprawling ancient plazas. The pine-forested hills of the highlands are home to many Mayan communities, whose indigenous beliefs, traditional dress, religious practices and craftsmanship, flourish. Indeed, Guatemala has around 21 different ethnic groups, speaking some 23 languages giving it a distinctive culture like nowhere else in the region.
Although Guatemala boasts some truly stunning cities – most notably Antigua, an upmarket colonial town surrounded by smouldering volcanoes – Guatemala’s real joy is its nature. The great Lake Atitlan in the highlands is a place of rare beauty and offers various adventure activities ranging from scuba diving to fishing.
On the other side of the country, the vast and remote region of Peten houses the country’s thickest jungle, home to long-abandoned Mayan ruins that few get to see. Elsewhere, gargantuan lakes, lava-oozing volcanoes, black sandy beaches, natural hot springs and roaring rivers combine to form the most geographically diverse destination in Central America.
Though consistently beautiful, Guatemala is a nation of contrasts; a place where Catholic churches exist alongside Mayan temples, where rugged highlands give way to tropical jungles, and where the legacy of its ancient civilisations is as evident as its modern, Latin American culture.
Despite stories of high crime rates and volatile politics, most visitors encounter nothing but warmth and hospitality from its people, as well as epic landscapes that make them wonder why they didn’t visit sooner.
All travelers are required to present a passport, except in the following cases:
1. Travelers with a « Laissez Passer » issued by the United Nations or by the European Commission.
2. Travelers with the following documents, which are issued to the citizens of Guatemala, provided they are valid upon arrival:
2.1. A birth certificate, which is recommended to be accompanied by a photo ID to avoid unnecessary checks on arrival;
2.2. A national identity card.
3. Guatemalan citizens residing in the United States of America can enter Guatemala with their Permanent Resident or Foreign Resident Card (Form No. I-551).
4. Those travelers who carry a national identity document, issued by El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Even so, such documents will only be accepted when they are accompanied by a CA-4 form or an Entry and Return Card (TIE) and when the trip is made between El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
5. Travelers with travel documents issued for refugees and people without nationality or citizenship, provided that these documents have been authorized at the time the visa for Guatemala was granted.
6. Travelers with a “Refugee Travel Document” (Form No. I-571) issued by the United States of America.
The passport and alternative documentation, or any of them, must be valid for the period of the planned visit.
to. Expired passports of citizens of Guatemala are accepted. Even so, they must carry a passport with a blue cover when they leave Guatemala.
b. Guatemala residents can enter with valid travel documents upon arrival.
Entry and transit will be denied to deported travelers with a nationality other than Guatemalan.
Before arrival: Travelers should contact the nearest Guatemalan representation abroad.
All passengers must be in possession of a visa, except in the following cases:
1. Citizens of Guatemala.
2. Travelers who will not stay more than 90 days, provided they are:
2.1.Citizens of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Republic of Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia,Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Switzerland, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uruguay, United States of America, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Vatican City, and Venezuela;
2.2. Travelers with a British passport endorsed ” British National ( Overseas )”.
2.3. Travelers with a Taipei China passport;
2.4. Citizens of Belarus, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Montenegro, Morocco, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, the Republic of Serbia, Suriname or Thailand that have a diplomatic, official or service passport.
3. Travelers with a re-entry permit issued by Guatemala, provided that this permit is included in an exit permit with the words “Valid to re-enter the country”.
4. Travelers who have a permanent residence permit issued by Honduras, El Salvador or Nicaragua and whose stay does not exceed 90 days.
5.Travelers who will not stay more than 90 days, provided they have a permanent residence permit issued by Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada , Chile, Chinese Taipei, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, FYR, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Republic of Ireland, Israel , Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain,Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Switzerland, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, United States of America, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City or Venezuela.
These rules will not be applicable to:
5.1. Citizens of Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bosnia Herzegovina, Botswana, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Kinshasa), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia Libya, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, East Timor, Vietnam and the Republic of Yemen;
5.2. Citizens of Cameroon, Cuba, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Jordan and Pakistan with a normal passport;
5.3. Travelers with a Palestinian passport.
5.4. Citizens of the People’s Republic of China, including those who carry a passport issued by Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China) or Macao (Special Administrative Region of China).
6. Travelers with a “Refugee Travel Document” (Form No. I-571) issued by the United States of America, provided they also have a Permanent Resident or Foreign Resident Card (Form no. I-551) .
7. Travelers with a « Laissez Passer » issued by the United Nations or by the European Commission.
8. Travelers with a valid visa for Canada, the United States of America or a member state of the Schengen Zone.
These rules will not be applicable to:
8.1. Citizens of Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bosnia Herzegovina, Botswana, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Kinshasa), Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, People’s Democratic Republic of Korea , Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, East Timor, Vietnam and the Republic of Yemen;
8.2. Citizens of Cameroon, Cuba, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Jordan and Pakistan with a normal passport;
8.3.Citizens of the People’s Republic of China, including those who carry a passport issued by Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China) or Macao (Special Administrative Region of China).
8.4. Travelers with a Palestinian passport.
Visa-free transit is allowed to travelers who are going to continue their trip to a third country in the first available plane or in the same plane within the next 8 hours, provided they already have the tickets with the confirmed reservation. Exiting the airport transit area is prohibited.
1. Citizens of Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bosnia Herzegovina, Botswana, Cameroon, People’s Republic of China, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Kinshasa), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lao People’s Democratic Republic of Korea, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, East Timor, Vietnam and Republic of Yemen , they need an authorized entry visa to enter Guatemala. (*)
2. Travelers with a passport issued by Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China) or Macao (Special Administrative Region of China) need an authorized entry visa to enter Guatemala. (*)
3. Travelers with a British passport who do not carry the ‘ British Citizen ‘ endorsement need an authorized entry visa. (*)
4. Citizens of Cameroon, Cuba, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya and Pakistan holding a normal passport need an authorized entry visa to enter Guatemala. (*)
5. The traveler may be asked for some proof that they have a return or transit ticket.
6. The consul who issues the visa will inform the travelers, when necessary, of the amount that must be deposited upon entering Guatemala; This deposit will be returned to you if you leave Guatemala within one year.
7. Travelers whose stay does not exceed 90 days will enjoy the visa exemption. Still, the visit period can be extended for another 90 days at the Immigration Office.
8. Travelers carrying travel documents issued by the Palestinian government will need an authorized entry visa for Guatemala. (*)
(*) Residents of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador , Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Republic of Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg , Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore , Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uruguay, the United States of America, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Vatican City and Venezuela who can prove their resident status need only a visa issued at the Guatemalan embassy.
If any traveler does not comply with the entry regulations, the airline will be forced to pay the traveler’s deportation in addition to a fine of USD 1,000 per individual.
Travelers over the age of 18 can import:
– 100 grams of tobacco or 80 cigarettes;
– A liter and a half or two bottles of alcoholic beverages;
– There are no restrictions when it comes to perfume.
Cats and dogs must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by a government licensed veterinarian. If they come from areas affected by rabies, this health certificate must confirm that the animals have been vaccinated against rabies between one year and 30 days before arrival. In addition, dogs must be accompanied by a certificate of vaccination against parvovirus. Only pedigree dogs are tax free.
– Travelers must collect their luggage at the airport of their final destination in Guatemala, provided it is properly labeled.
– Only in case of transit: Luggage can be collected at the final destination airport, an international airport, provided that your next flight departs the same day.
* Exemptions:
The luggage of travelers whose final destination is outside of Guatemala, provided that the luggage has been labeled for that destination and the flight departs the same day.
Travelers leaving Guatemala have to pay an airport tax of 20 Guatemalan quetzals GTQ or 3 US dollars USD.
* Exemptions:
1. Travelers with a « Laissez-Passer » issued by the United Nations;
2. Travelers in transit.
3. Travelers with official and diplomatic passports.
There is no restriction when importing foreign currencies, although the import of the local currency (Guatemalan Quetzal GTQ) is prohibited.
Foreign currency export regulations
– The citizens of Guatemala can export foreign currency up to the amount equivalent to 5,000 Guatemalan quetzales GTQ. However, the export of local currency (Guatemalan Quetzal-GTQ) is prohibited.
– Others can export foreign currency without restrictions. However, the export of local currency (Guatemalan Quetzal-GTQ) is prohibited.
NB
Guatemalan GTQ quetzales are allowed to switch back to another foreign currency as long as this amount does not exceed US $ 100.
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