Is it safe to travel to Guatemala right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Guatemala’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Guatemala set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Guatemalan Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Guatemala, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank pages.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can visit Guatemala for up to 90 days without a visa.

If you overstay the 90 days, you’ll have to pay a fine before leaving the country. You can pay this fine at the main Institute of Migration (in Spanish) office in Guatemala City. You can also pay fines at the airport or land borders, but administrative processes can cause serious delays.

Applying for or extending a visa

To stay longer than 90 days (to work or study, for business, travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Guatemalan government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Guatemalan Embassy in the UK.

If you want to extend your visa or permit to stay, you must apply to the Institute of Migration (Spanish language website).

Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry.

If you do not get your passport stamped when you arrive, you will get a fine and be delayed on your departure. If you notice your passport has not been stamped, return to the immigration desk immediately, or go to the Institute of Migration (in Spanish) offices in Guatemala City as soon as possible.

Immigration declaration form

Before you enter or exit Guatemala, you must complete the online immigration declaration form. If you can, print the confirmation email you receive and carry it with you. Alternatively take a screenshot of the email QR code. If you need more information, contact your travel agent or the Institute of Migration (in Spanish).

This form can be done on arrival just before immigration, there are dedicated terminals to complete the online form. However, this can delay your arrival into the country.

Airport tax

You must pay airport departure tax of 30 US dollars (or the same amount in Guatemalan quetzal). This is normally included in the price of your ticket.

Travelling with children

To enter or exit Guatemala, children aged 17 and under travelling alone or with only one parent or legal guardian must have a notarised letter in Spanish from the parents or guardians not travelling with them. Contact the Guatemalan Embassy, or if you’re in Guatemala the nearest Institute of Migration (Spanish language website), for information about what documents you need. Single parents will need additional documents.

Travelling between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua

You can travel between Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador for up to 90 days without a visa. The CA-4 Agreement also includes Honduras, however British Nationals must have a visa to visit Honduras. If you’re entering Honduras, read the entry requirements. Read the travel advice for:

• El Salvador
• Nicaragua

The 90-day period starts when you enter any of these countries and does not restart when you cross borders. You can extend your stay by up to 30 days by paying a fee before the 90 days expires. If you overstay, you may get a fine.

You’ll have to go through immigration checks at borders. If you’re expelled from one of these countries, you’re also excluded from the other 2.

Illegal entry fees at land borders

Guatemalan customs or immigration officials sometimes ask travellers crossing land borders to pay an ‘entry fee’. This is illegal. If you are asked to pay a fee, ask for an official receipt, and you may find the officials drop the request.

When crossing into Guatemala by land, be wary of people offering to help process your entry into the country. They may be trying to overcharge you for unnecessary services.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Guatemala, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Guatemala guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Guatemala. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into Guatemala

It is often not possible to exchange British pounds in Guatemala. It is much easier to exchange US dollars.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Guatemala.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 90 days
Business visa: not required for stays of up to 90 days
Student visa: required

You may request an extension equal to the number of days you were initially authorized to stay at the Guatemalan Migration Institute. If you wish to conduct business or stay in Guatemala for a period exceeding 6 months, you require a visa.

Guatemalan Migration Institute – Government of Guatemala (Spanish only)

Entry stamp

When entering Guatemala, you must obtain an entry stamp in your passport.

If you fail to present your entry stamp when departing Guatemala, you may be fined and experience delays.

If you enter Guatemala with a vehicle, you must comply with the deadline for leaving the country, which is indicated on the temporary importation form provided by Guatemalan customs at the port of entry. If you fail to leave Guatemala with your vehicle by the expiry date, you will be subject to a fine for the extra days.

Electronic declaration form

You must complete an electronic declaration form before arriving in Guatemala and before leaving. You will then receive a QR code. Keep a printed or electronic copy of your QR code to present to authorities upon your arrival or departure.

Electronic declaration form – Government of Guatemala

Central America-4 Border Control Agreement (CA-4)

Under the terms of the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement (CA-4), Canadian tourists may travel freely within any of the following CA-4 countries:

• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Nicaragua

You can travel between these countries for up to 90 days without having to undergo entry and exit formalities at border immigration checkpoints. However, 90 days are not automatically granted. The immigration officer at your first entry point into the CA-4 region will determine the exact length of your authorized stay.

You must still check in at immigration counters when you enter or exit these checkpoints.

Make sure you receive an entry or exit stamp in your passport each time you cross a checkpoint to avoid fines and problems with immigration authorities.

You may request an extension equal to the number of days you were initially authorized to stay. However, you must request this extension and pay the required fee at the Guatemalan Migration Institute before your first authorized stay expires. Immigration authorities will determine the exact length of the extension.

You are authorized to stay in Guatemala for a maximum of 180 days. However, if you receive an extension in another CA-4 country that leads to a total authorized stay of less than 180 days, you cannot request another extension in Guatemala. Likewise, if you receive an extension in another CA-4 country that leads to a total authorized stay of more than 180 days, Guatemala will only recognize the first 180 days.

Once your total authorized stay expires, you must either:

• change your migratory status
• leave the CA-4 region
• travel to El Salvador, where you may be granted a stay of up to 180 days

If you fail to do so, you will be fined and given 5 days to leave.

Once you leave the CA-4 region, you may attempt to return and restart the process, as long as 72 hours have passed since your exit. However, the immigration officer could deny your re-entry.

If you get a new Canadian passport in Guatemala, you must obtain a new entry stamp from immigration authorities before exiting the country and travelling within the CA-4 region.

Each CA-4 country interprets and enforces the agreement differently. Ensure you carefully read the Travel Advice and Advisories for each destination you plan on visiting before travelling.

Guatemalan Migration Institute (Spanish only)

Children and travel

Children travelling with only one parent or with a third party must travel with a notarized letter of consent from the other parent, both parents or their guardian.

Useful links

• Immigration exit requirements – Government of Guatemala (Spanish only)
• Recommended consent letter for children travelling abroad
• Children and travel

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).