Temporary Residence - Worker (Residencia Temporal Trabajador)

Overview

This is Guatemala's temporary residence for migrant workers (Residencia Temporal - Trabajador), issued by the Instituto Guatemalteco de Migracion (IGM) for foreign nationals coming to work under a job offer from an employer in the country. Temporary residence is granted for a period that follows the job offer, up to a maximum, and is renewable. After the 2025 reform, dependants can apply at the same time as the main applicant. Time held as a temporary resident counts toward permanent residence, which you can apply for after about five years of legal residence. Heads-up: a major reform that took effect in October 2025 removed the old guarantor (garante) requirement for worker categories and cut the background-check lookback - see the in-flux note. Confirm current validity, processing and fees on the official page.

Eligibility

Application pathway

1. 01

   Check the route fit

   Confirm your job offer and worker sub-category fit the post-2025 rules, using the official IGM residence page.

2. 02

   Build the evidence pack

   Gather your job offer, passport, criminal-background certificate and the IGM application, legalised or apostilled where required.

3. 03

   Submit through the official channel

   Apply for temporary residence as a worker to the IGM, following the current requirements.

4. 04

   After approval

   Collect your residence, work for your employer, and renew before expiry while building time toward permanent residence.

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Related routes

• Temporary Residence - Investor (Residencia Inversionista)

  For people investing in Guatemala: this residence is for foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment in the country, for example in a Guatemalan company or project.

• Temporary Residence - Family (Residencia por motivos Familiares)

  For close family of a Guatemalan or of a resident: this residence lets you live in Guatemala based on your family relationship, such as being a spouse, child or parent.

• Permanent Residence (Residencia Permanente)

  For residents ready to settle: after about five years of legal residence in Guatemala you can apply for permanent residence, the settled-status category issued by the IGM.