Temporary Residence for Self-Employed Workers

Guatemala's Temporary Residence for Self-Employed Workers (Residencia Temporal para Trabajadores Migrantes por Cuenta Propia) allows foreign nationals to live in Guatemala while operating their own business, working as individual merchants, or practising as independent professionals. Introduced through Acuerdo IGM-016-2025 (effective October 2025) as part of a major overhaul of Guatemala's immigration framework, this is an entirely new residence category. Previously, foreign entrepreneurs wishing to operate their own business in Guatemala had to use the investor category (requiring USD 100,000 minimum investment). The self-employed worker category has no minimum capital requirement, making it accessible to small-scale entrepreneurs and independent professionals.

• Intent to carry out commercial, industrial, or professional activities on one's own account in Guatemala
• Sworn declaration (declaracion jurada) detailing the economic activity to be carried out
• Commercial authorization or business license (patente de comercio) corresponding to the type of business
• Registration with the Superintendencia de Administracion Tributaria (SAT)
• No specific educational qualifications or minimum income threshold required
• Criminal or police records from country of origin or most recent country of legal residence, issued within the last 2 years
• No Guatemalan guarantor or work permit from the Ministry of Labour required

• Valid passport (original and notarized copy)
• Criminal or police records covering the last 2 years
• Sworn declaration detailing the economic activity to be carried out in Guatemala
• Commercial authorization or business license (patente de comercio)
• Registration with the SAT
• IGM application form
• Coloured passport-sized photograph
• Foreign documents must be apostilled (Hague Convention) or legalized by the Guatemalan consulate

The residence permit is available for 1 year, 2 years, or 3-5 years. The maximum continuous temporary residence period is 5 years, after which the holder must apply for permanent residence. Extensions must be requested at least 30 days before the current residence expires, with full documentation resubmitted.

Spouse and children may apply for residency simultaneously with the principal applicant, provided the family relationship is documented. The Permiso de Trabajo para Acompanantes category allows spouses or declared common-law partners to engage in dependent employment in Guatemala, a right that was previously unavailable without modifying their migratory category.

Guatemala applies a territorial tax system under the Ley de Actualizacion Tributaria (Decreto 10-2012): only income generated from sources within Guatemalan territory is subject to income tax. Self-employed workers earning income from their Guatemala-based business are subject to Guatemalan income tax, with rates ranging from 5% to 25% depending on the nature and classification of income. Self-employed individuals must register with the SAT and comply with applicable tax obligations.

Applications begin by scheduling an appointment through the IGM online services portal (servicios.igm.gob.gt). Documents are presented at the scheduled appointment with payment of the USD 25 filing fee. The application proceeds through several stages: pending assignment, under analysis, request for clarification (if needed), pending authorization, and appointment for residence notification.

Upon approval, the applicant receives a notification email with a date for the residence notification appointment. At that appointment, the applicant must present a Municipal Tax Receipt (Boleto de Ornato), payment receipt, and proof of domicile (utility bill or rental contract), and complete biometric data collection.

Fees:

• Application filing fee: USD 25
• Residence approval fee: USD 200 (1 year), USD 300 (2 years), or USD 500 (3-5 years)

To operate a business, the holder must obtain a patente de comercio (commercial license) from the Registro Mercantil and register with the SAT. A DPI de Extranjero Domiciliado (foreign resident identity card) from RENAP is required first, which means residence approval must be obtained before the commercial license can be formally issued. The sworn declaration and intent to obtain the license can be presented with the residence application. The IGM conducts mandatory field verifications, which may include visiting business premises.

Proof of domicile (utility bill or rental contract) is required at the time of the residence notification appointment.