When traveling to Guatemala, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Guatemala, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

• » Attend business and sales meetings
• » Buy goods for sale outside the country
• » Tour a company facility
• » Attend a trade show or seminar convention

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Guatemala?

Nationals of the European Union, United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Guatemala. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver, you must obtain either a Consular Tourist Visa or a Consulted Tourist Visa (for restricted nationals) from a Guatemalan Consulate or Embassy prior to travel. Please obtain an individual assessment before traveling to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver.

Guatemala is a signatory of the Central America 4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement along with Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. In many cases, foreign nationals who enter any one of the CA-4 countries with a visa waiver or entry visa for a short stay are free to travel to any of the other CA-4 countries without obtaining additional documentation. Please obtain an individual assessment before traveling to determine your eligibility.

What types of activities require work authorization?

Foreign nationals may work in Guatemala with a Tourist Visa or visa waiver on a short-term basis without having to obtain work or residence authorization, as long as they are not remunerated in Guatemala. Foreign nationals are advised to consult with their immigration counsel prior to travel to confirm that their activities do not require work authorization.

If I am traveling to Guatemala for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in Guatemala. The most common forms of work authorization in Guatemala are:

• » Temporary Residence Permit (short-term work authorization for professionals on assignment)
• » Temporary Residence and Work Permit (long-term work authorization for direct hires)

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

Guatemala does not offer long-term work authorization exemptions.

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

Copyright © 2020 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.