---
title: "Guatemala Investor residence · $100k requirements 2026"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/guatemala/temp-investor/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Guatemala · Investing

# Guatemala Investor residence · $100k

**Investment needed:** $100k

Temporary residence — investors

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Investment needed:** $100k (An investment of $100,000 · Investment "for an amount of" US$100,000, as the regulation words it (it does not say "at least"), evidenced by registry certificates, securities titles, invoices for property, plant and equipment, or proof of origin of funds. A fee of $25 · Application filing fee paid when the file is submitted (Acuerdo IGM-039-2025). A fee of $200 · Status fee: 1 year US$200, 2 years US$300, 3 to 5 years US$500.)
- **First stay:** 5 yrs (Granted for 1 to 5 years; extension in 1 to 5 year periods.)
- **Who can apply:** Any passport
- **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Guatemala territorial income tax (rentas obtenidas en territorio nacional): Guatemala's Impuesto Sobre la Renta applies only to income obtained within national territory (art. 3, Decreto 10-2012), whatever the nationality or domicile of the recipient; Guatemalan-source income is defined in art. 4.)

## Key facts

Investor residence · $100k is an investing route for Guatemala. Applicants need an investment of $100k. You can stay 5 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** $100k
- **Government fees:** $25 · $200
- **First stay:** 5 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: government fees $225 in total (2 fees); investment $100k. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: $25 · $200**

- $25 Application filing fee paid when the file is submitted (Acuerdo IGM-039-2025).
- $200 Status fee: 1 year US$200, 2 years US$300, 3 to 5 years US$500.

**Invested and held: $100k**

- $100,000 Investment "for an amount of" US$100,000, as the regulation words it (it does not say "at least"), evidenced by registry certificates, securities titles, invoices for property, plant and equipment, or proof of origin of funds.

**Renewal: Renewable**

You can extend temporary residence for further periods of 1 to 5 years. File the extension before it expires, otherwise you must apply for a new residence.

[Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración](https://extranjeria.igm.gob.gt/index.php/component/content/article/residencias-temporales?catid=8)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

After 5 continuous years of temporary residence you can apply for permanent residence. Central Americans can apply after 1 year.

[Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración](https://extranjeria.igm.gob.gt/index.php/component/content/article/residencias-permanentes?catid=8)

**Citizenship: General rule: 5 years as a permanent resident**

Naturalisation can be requested after 5 continuous years as a permanent resident (not available to Central Americans through this route).

[Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración](https://extranjeria.igm.gob.gt/index.php/component/content/article/residencias-permanentes?catid=8)

**Where to apply: Where to apply**

The application file is submitted in person at the Foreigners Department (Subdirección de Extranjería) of the Guatemalan Migration Institute.

[Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración](https://extranjeria.igm.gob.gt/index.php/component/content/article/residencias-temporales?catid=8)

### What you'll need

#### What you must show

- Investment of US$100,000 is evidenced by registry certificates, securities titles, invoices for property, plant and equipment, or proof of origin of funds.

#### Documents

- A notarial sworn statement describes the economic activity and the estimated length of stay.
- Documents evidencing the US$100,000 investment are required.
- A passport valid, with a legalised copy and the last entry stamp, is required.
- A certificate of no criminal record from the country of origin or the last two years of residence (valid 6 months) is required.
- A migration movement certificate is required.
- Proof of payment of the application fee is required.

## What happens at day 183

How Guatemala decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **Up to 5 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in a calendar year** Presence in Guatemala, continuous or not, makes an individual resident (art. 6 no. 1 lit. a)
- **Foreign-source income:** **Territorial**
- **Special regime:** **Guatemala territorial income tax** · Tax relief

[All tax rules for Guatemala](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/guatemala/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Certified translation** A passport valid, with a legalised copy and the last entry stamp, is required
- **Police certificate and civil documents** A certificate of no criminal record from the country of origin or the last two years of residence (valid 6 months) is required

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

Residence for foreigners who are part of one or more commercial companies or who invest in movable or immovable property in Guatemala, evidenced by a sworn statement and supporting documents for US$100,000. (source 1)

#### What you must show and pay

- An investment of $100,000 · Investment "for an amount of" US$100,000, as the regulation words it (it does not say "at least"), evidenced by registry certificates, securities titles, invoices for property, plant and equipment, or proof of origin of funds. (source 1)
- A fee of $25 · Application filing fee paid when the file is submitted (Acuerdo IGM-039-2025). (source 1)
- A fee of $200 · Status fee: 1 year US$200, 2 years US$300, 3 to 5 years US$500. (source 1)

#### Requirements

- Investment of US$100,000 is evidenced by registry certificates, securities titles, invoices for property, plant and equipment, or proof of origin of funds. (source 1)
- A notarial sworn statement describes the economic activity and the estimated length of stay. (source 1)
- Documents evidencing the US$100,000 investment are required. (source 1)
- A passport valid, with a legalised copy and the last entry stamp, is required. (source 1)
- A certificate of no criminal record from the country of origin or the last two years of residence (valid 6 months) is required. (source 1)
- A migration movement certificate is required. (source 1)
- Proof of payment of the application fee is required. (source 1)

#### Stay

- Granted for 1 to 5 years; extension in 1 to 5 year periods.
- First stay: 12 to 60 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Work

The economic activity declared in the notarised affidavit filed with the application.

#### Family

Dependants apply through the dependent investor residence form.

Checked 2026-10-12

## Official sources

1. [Residencias Temporales (categorías, costos, requisitos)](https://extranjeria.igm.gob.gt/index.php/component/content/article/residencias-temporales?catid=8) · Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración · checked 2026-10-12
2. [Residencias Permanentes (categorías, costos, requisitos)](https://extranjeria.igm.gob.gt/index.php/component/content/article/residencias-permanentes?catid=8) · Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración · checked 2026-10-10

## Investor residence · $100k and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Investor residence · $100k | Needs an investment of $100k | 5 yr, renewable | – |
| [Investor residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/mexico/temporary-resident-investor/) Mexico | Needs an investment of MXN 5.4M+ ≈ $294k | 4 yr | With a permit |
| [Investor M · Property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-investor-real-estate/) Colombia | Needs an investment of COP 612.8M+ ≈ $192k | 3 yr | Limited |
| [Investor residence · $200k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/costa-rica/temporary-investor/) Costa Rica | Needs an investment of $200k+ | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Investor · R$500k in a company](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/brazil/investor-company/) Brazil | Needs an investment from BRL 150k ≈ $30k | – | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Investor residence · $100k?

An investment of $100,000. Investment "for an amount of" US$100,000, as the regulation words it (it does not say "at least"), evidenced by registry certificates, securities titles, invoices for property, plant and equipment, or proof of origin of funds. A fee of $25. Application filing fee paid when the file is submitted (Acuerdo IGM-039-2025). A fee of $200. Status fee: 1 year US$200, 2 years US$300, 3 to 5 years US$500.

### How long can I stay on the Investor residence · $100k?

Granted for 1 to 5 years; extension in 1 to 5 year periods.

### Can I work on the Investor residence · $100k?

The economic activity declared in the notarised affidavit filed with the application.

### Can I bring my family on the Investor residence · $100k?

Dependants apply through the dependent investor residence form.

### Does the Investor residence · $100k lead to permanent residence in Guatemala?

Time on the Investor residence · $100k counts toward permanent residence in Guatemala, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. The general rule for citizenship is 5 years as a permanent resident.

### Is there a tax break for Investor residence · $100k holders in Guatemala?

Guatemala territorial income tax (rentas obtenidas en territorio nacional): Guatemala's Impuesto Sobre la Renta applies only to income obtained within national territory (art. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.

## Tax

Special regime

### [Guatemala territorial income tax (rentas obtenidas en territorio nacional)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/guatemala/tax/#tax-gt-territorial-income-tax)

Tax relief

Foreign-source income: Territorial

**Details**

- Who: Applies to residents and non-residents alike
- Limit: GTQ 300k/yr ≈ $39k

Guatemala's Impuesto Sobre la Renta applies only to income obtained within national territory (art. 3, Decreto 10-2012), whatever the nationality or domicile of the recipient; Guatemalan-source income is defined in art. 4.

#### Taxed on

Income obtained in Guatemalan territory by category (profit activities, employment income, capital income); employment income of individuals is taxed at 5% up to Q300,000 of taxable income and Q15,000 plus 7% on the excess (art. 73 as enacted in 2012).

#### Who it applies to

- Applies to residents and non-residents alike; the source rules in art. 4 decide what is taxed. Income generated outside Guatemala is not Guatemalan-source income under arts. 3 and 4.
- Individuals are tax residents if present more than 183 days in a calendar year (continuity not required), or if their centre of economic interests is in Guatemala unless they prove tax residence elsewhere by a certificate from that country's tax authority (art. 6).

#### Exclusions

- Income from activities carried out within Guatemala, assets located in Guatemala and capital income such as gains on shares of entities whose assets are Guatemalan real estate is Guatemalan-source (art. 4).
- Non-residents with Guatemalan-source income are taxed under title V of the law.

#### Limits

- GTQ 300,000 a year (≈ $39,200) · Employment-income scale: 5% applies to taxable income up to Q300,000; above it Q15,000 plus 7% of the excess (art. 73, 2012 text)

#### Days in the country

- More than 183 days in calendar year · Presence in Guatemala, continuous or not, makes an individual resident (art. 6 no. 1 lit. a)

#### Tax residence

Residence for tax purposes is not tied to immigration status; the alternative test is centre of economic interests in Guatemala.

#### Visas

The territorial base applies regardless of visa or residence permit.

Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026, some details partly verified [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

[Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/guatemala/tax/)

## More in Guatemala

[Pensioner residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/guatemala/permanent-pensionado/) [Rentista residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/guatemala/permanent-rentista/) [Researcher residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/guatemala/temp-researcher/) [Work residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/guatemala/temp-worker/) [Student residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/guatemala/temp-student/)

## Investment visas elsewhere

[🇺🇸 E-2 Treaty Investor](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/e2-treaty-investor/) [🇵🇦 Qualified Investor · Deposit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/panama/qualified-investor-fixed-deposit/) [🇨🇱 Investor · US$500k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/investor/) [🇪🇨 Investor · $48k shares](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-shares/) [🇵🇪 Investor residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/peru/investor-resident/) [🇩🇴 Investor residence · $200k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/dominican-republic/investor-permanent/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 2 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Residencias Temporales (categorías, costos, requisitos)](https://extranjeria.igm.gob.gt/index.php/component/content/article/residencias-temporales?catid=8) · Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración · checked 2026-10-12
2. [Residencias Permanentes (categorías, costos, requisitos)](https://extranjeria.igm.gob.gt/index.php/component/content/article/residencias-permanentes?catid=8) · Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración · checked 2026-10-10

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.