Document checklist
Jersey → Guatemala: Residencia Temporal para Trabajadores Migrantes
What you need before you submit, checked against official requirements, not guesswork.
Checked by our automated verification on 20 Oct 2026: every source on this page resolves and the data is structurally complete. This does not confirm a person re-read the source text for accuracy.
Required documents
12 itemsIdentity
Birth certificate
Needed if your country of origin has no accredited diplomatic representation in Guatemala.
Source: Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales
Certification of your migratory movement
RequiredA certification confirming your most recent entry into Guatemala.
Source: Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales
Completed residence application form
RequiredThe temporary residence application form (Formulario de solicitud de residencia), fully completed.
Source: Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales
Valid passport with entry stamp
RequiredYour original, current passport plus a full legalised copy, showing your most recent entry stamp into Guatemala. If there's no entry stamp, you need a certification from the Subdirección de Control Migratorio confirming that instead.
Source: Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales
Financial
Employer's financial statement or proof of income
A financial statement or proof of income from your employer, plus their annual tax return.
Source: Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales
Residence application and status fees
RequiredA USD 25 fee when you file your application, plus a fee for the residence status once granted: USD 200 for 1 year, USD 300 for 2 years, or USD 500 for 3 to 5 years, depending on the length approved.
Source: Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales
Purpose of travel
Employer's request letter
RequiredA letter from your employer explaining your role and how long they need you for.
Source: Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales
Signed and legalised employment contract
RequiredA signed employment contract, legalised as required for foreign documents if it comes from abroad.
Source: Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales
Other
Criminal and police record certificate
RequiredAn original certificate showing you have no criminal or police record, from your country of origin or the country where you've lived for the last two years. It can also be issued by your embassy or consulate. It must be no older than 6 months.
Source: Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales
Employer's RTU (tax registration)
Your Guatemalan employer's complete RTU (Registro Tributario Unificado, unified tax registration).
Source: Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales
Employer's business licences
Your employer's Patente de Comercio and Patente de Empresa (commercial and business licences).
Source: Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales
Ministry of Labour certification (where it applies)
A certification issued by Guatemala's Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, when your type of work requires one.
Source: Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales
Why applications on this route get refused
Incomplete general or employer documentation
IGM lists a specific set of documents for the foreign worker and, when a Guatemalan company is the employer, a separate set for that company.
How to avoid it: Check every item on IGM's list, including the employer's documents, if a Guatemalan company is sponsoring you, before you submit your file.
Foreign documents not apostilled, legalised, or translated
Any document coming from abroad must be apostilled or legalised, dated within 6 months (unless it states a different validity), and translated into Spanish by a recognised translator if it's in another language.
How to avoid it: Get your foreign documents apostilled or legalised and translated into Spanish before you submit your application.
Missing the biometric registration deadline
Once your residence is granted, you have 30 days to register your biographic and biometric data, missing this deadline results in a USD 200 fine for late registration.
How to avoid it: Book your biometric registration appointment as soon as your residence is notified as granted.
Sources
- Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración, Subdirección de Extranjería, Residencias Temporales · checked 24 Sept 2026
Check your documents against this list before you pay the Guatemala application fee.
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