If your company is con move an expansion to the Central American nation of Guatemala, part of the process may be bringing in foreign employees to help. To bring foreign employees into Guatemala, you will need Guatemalan work visas for every worker.
The process of applying for Guatemalan work visas can be challenging, with administrative hurdles and unique immigration laws adding to the potential difficulty. To avoid delays, it is important to follow the process properly and prepare in advance.
Horizons offers a wide range of Guatemala work visa services, immigration support, and outsourcing, to help your company benefit from top global talent and successfully expand in Guatemala.
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Requirements for Guatemala work visas and permits
- Valid passport and photos
- Criminal records check
- A letter of request for the Ministry of Labor
- A job offer from a Guatemala-based company
- Proof of temporary residence visa
Types of Guatemala work visas and work permits
There are several types of visas available in Guatemala, but they are generally only suitable for short-term tourism or business visits. For long-term employment, your foreign workers will usually need to obtain a work permit for Guatemala, as well as a temporary residence visa to live in the country.
There are two kinds of work permits. One category is for people with family links in Guatemala, so is only suitable in limited cases. The most suitable for most people is linked to a job offer from a Guatemala-based employer. For this option, the employer needs to handle the majority of the application process.
How to get a Guatemala work visa
Additional considerations
As the process of applying for the two main documents (the residence visa and the work permit) can take several weeks, it is crucial that you/your employees start well in advance of the planned move.
