How long can I stay in Guatemala without a visa?

You can stay for up to 90 days as a tourist. Overstaying incurs a fine.

Is there a form I need to fill out before arriving in Guatemala?

Yes, you must complete an Electronic Immigration and Customs Declaration Form (Regional Sworn Travel Declaration) before entering and exiting the country.

What are the rules for my passport's validity?

Your passport must be valid at the time of entry into Guatemala.

Are there any restrictions on what I can bring into Guatemala?

It is illegal to bring guns, ammunition, including spent shells or casings into Guatemala, and penalties are severe.

Visa Panic· Official Dispatch

Execute Lookup

Current DossierSubject · United States passportFile · GUATEMALA

Does Guatemala require a visa for US citizens?

Straight answer, official source, and how long it takes.

Approved

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Last checked 28 Jun 2026Source · US State Department travel adviceHow we source this →

Visa Panic answer

No visa neededLow panic

Do US citizens need a visa for Guatemala?

No visa is required for US citizens for short tourist visits to Guatemala.

Check official travel adviceUS State Department travel advice — last checked 28 June 2026

Always confirm with the official source before you travel.

VerdictAll Clear

You're good to go.

No visa application needed for United States passport holders on a short tourist or business trip. Just check your passport meets the validity rules below before you fly.

Health FileSubject · GuatemalaChecked · 22 Jul 2026

Vaccinations for Guatemala

Book a travel clinic appointment 6–8 weeks before you fly.

Conditional

Only if arriving from a risk area

Required only if you're travelling from — or transiting through — a country with active transmission.

Yellow Fever
Certificate required if arriving from (or transiting) a country with yellow fever transmission risk.

Recommended on health grounds

Not required for entry — advised by NHS / CDC for most travellers.

Hepatitis A
Recommended — food & water borne.
Typhoid
Recommended, especially for longer stays or rural travel.
Rabies
Consider for rural travel, cyclists, and long trips.
Malaria prevention
No vaccine — antimalarials + bite avoidance recommended for risk regions.

Official health sources

NHS Fit for Travel · Guatemala ↗CDC Travelers' Health · Guatemala ↗

→ Read the Yellow Fever briefing

Which countries require the certificate, timing, cost, and the 10-day validity rule.

Not medical advice. Always confirm with your GP, travel nurse, or a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre — requirements change and can vary based on where you're arriving from.

Colour KeyCalm— no visaMedium— ETA / eVisaPanic— full visa

Deep breath. Here's the answer.

US citizens do not need a visa for tourist visits to Guatemala. You can stay for up to 90 days. An electronic immigration and customs declaration form must be completed before entering and exiting the country.

Key facts

For United States passport holders, tourism or short business trips.

Passport	Regular US passport
Purpose	Tourism
Visa required	No, not for short stays
Maximum stay	Up to 90 days. Staying longer incurs a daily fine payable in cash at the airport.
Passport validity	Must be valid at the time of entry.
Return/onward ticket	Recommended (verify on the official source, as explicitly stated requirement is not mentioned)
Arrival form	Electronic Immigration and Customs Declaration Form (Regional Sworn Travel Declaration)
Last checked	28 June 2026

You may need a visa if…

An electronic immigration and customs declaration form must be completed both before entering and exiting the country.
Staying longer than 90 days requires paying a daily fine in cash at the airport before departure.
It is illegal to bring guns, ammunition, including spent shells or casings into Guatemala, with severe penalties.
While not explicitly stated for tourists, the general advice for US government employees about avoiding certain types of public transport and unapproved taxis suggests caution for all travelers.

Before you travel

Ensure your US passport is valid at the time of entry.
Complete the Electronic Immigration and Customs Declaration Form (Regional Sworn Travel Declaration) online before travel and have the QR code ready.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for alerts and assistance.
Review the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for Guatemala, particularly regarding 'Do Not Travel' areas.
Consider purchasing travel insurance that includes evacuation assistance and medical coverage.
Be aware of currency declaration requirements for amounts over 10,000 USD upon entry and exit.