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Important Visa Information

Payment Methods & Details

NONIMMIGRANT VISAS:

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City is responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period and for those wishing to take up indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.

Please visit our Global Support Strategy (GSS) website for complete information on applying for a nonimmigrant U.S. visa, including a directory of nonimmigrant visa categories. Applicants needing to pay a reciprocity fee at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City may do so using U.S. dollars, Guatemalan quetzales, or a credit or debit card.

The Department of State published a final resolution regarding increases in certain nonimmigrant visa (NIV) and Border Crossing Card (BCC) application processing fees for Mexican citizens age 15 and older. These increases were published in the Federal Register on March 28 and will take effect on June 17, 2023. 

The US Embassy in Guatemala clarifies that visa applicants who pay the visa application processing fee have 365 days from payment to make the appointment regardless of when the payment was made. This applies the same to all payments made before next May 30. 

The fee for business or tourist visitor (B1/B2), BCC, and other non-petition based NIV visas, such as student visas and exchange visitor visas, will increase from $160 to $185. 

The fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (categories H, L, O, P, Q, and R) will increase from $190 to $205. 

Fees for most non-petition based NIVs were last updated in 2012, and some others in 2014. There are other consular fees that will not be affected. 

IMMIGRANT VISAS:

Most immigrant visa fees are collected by the National Visa Center.  To contact the National Visa Center, please go here.  Please visit this website for steps to take before your immigrant visa interview.  If you must pay any immigrant visa fees at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, we accept cash in U.S. dollars or Guatemalan quetzals or an international credit card.  Fees are not collected at any other location.

Appointments & Locations

NONIMMIGRANT VISAS

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City is responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period .

Please visit our Global Support Services (GSS) website for complete information on applying for a nonimmigrant U.S. visa, including a directory of nonimmigrant visa categories.

IMMIGRANT VISAS:

All immigrant visa unit appointments are scheduled by the National Visa Center.  To contact the National Visa Center, please go here.  Please visit this website for steps to take before your immigrant visa interview.

Security Information

For security purposes and due to capacity limitations, the Consular Section does not allow third parties (such as friends, family, legal representatives, or business contacts) to enter the consular facility or attend visa interviews, with the exception of parents or legal guardians accompanying minors, elderly applicants, or applicants with special needs or disabilities and non-Spanish language interpreters. For immigrant visa applications, the petitioner may accompany the applicant. Service animals trained to assist applicants with disabilities will be admitted. There are no public waiting areas at the Embassy, and for this reason, only those with appointments will be permitted to enter. If you do not have an appointment, we ask that you remain at home for your comfort.

All visitors and their belongings must pass through security screening before entering the Embassy.

Prior to entering security, please remove any belts, coats, sweaters, and any objects inside your pockets.  Please place these items in the tray provided by security on the conveyor belt for x-ray screening. 

The following items are prohibited inside the building:

  • Electrical devices such as cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, cameras, or any recording devices
  • Headphones
  • Any device that requires batteries with the exception of hearing aids
  • Large purses, handbags, or backpacks
  • Food, excluding breast milk and prepared baby formula. Powdered formula will not be allowed in.
  • Any type of liquids such as lotion, hand sanitizer (antibacterial gel), lipstick, water, etc., over 100 ml (3.4 ounces)
  • Cigarettes, cigars, matches, or lighters
  • Sharp objects such as scissors, pens, nail files, or razor blades
  • Weapons or explosive materials of any kinds

There is no facility at the Embassy to store prohibited items. You must make arrangements to store these items before entering. Due to security considerations, there is no information window for walk-in visitors at the Embassy.

Other Information

NONIMMIGRANT VISAS:

To contact a representative about your specific case, or about the nonimmigrant visa application process in general, please visit https://ustraveldocs.com/gt/gt-main-contactus.asp.

IMMIGRANT VISAS:

Returning Resident Visa

A permanent resident (called lawful permanent resident or LPR) or conditional resident (CR) who has remained outside the United States for longer than one year, or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit, will require a new immigrant visa to enter the United States and resume permanent residence. A provision exists under U.S. visa law for the issuance of a returning resident special immigrant visa to an LPR who remained outside the United States due to circumstances beyond his/her control. If you are an LPR unable to return to the United States within the travel validity period of the green card (1 year) or the validity of the Re-entry Permit (2 years), you may be eligible and can apply at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa.

If your application for returning resident status is approved, this eliminates the requirement that an immigrant visa petition be filed on your behalf with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will need to be interviewed for both your application for returning resident status, and usually later for the immigrant visa. An SB-1 applicant is required to establish eligibility for an immigrant visa and have a medical examination. Therefore, this involves paying both visa processing fees and medical fees.

To apply for an SB-1 determination requesting status as a returning resident, please email GuatemalaIV@state.gov.

For more information about returning resident status visit https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/returning-residents.html

Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Permanent Resident Card or Reentry Permit

If you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR), including an LPR with conditions, and wish to apply for a travel document (carrier documentation) that allows you to board an airline or other transportation carrier without the airline or transportation carrier being penalized, please go to this website https://www.uscis.gov/i-131a

Form I-131A allows you to apply for a travel document if you are:

  • Returning from temporary overseas travel of less than one year, and your Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card or Form I-551) has been lost, stolen or destroyed; or
  • Returning from temporary overseas travel of less than two years and your Reentry Permit has been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Once you have filled out the form, gathered other required documents and paid the fee, please send an email with the subject line “I131A appointment request” to GuatemalaIV@state.gov to make an appointment.

Diversity Visas: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-submit-entry1.html

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

If you need reasonable accommodation for your appointment, we encourage you to request your accommodation immediately once you schedule your appointment. We make every effort to provide accommodations to persons with disabilities and medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations vary, depending on the situation and the person’s needs.

Examples of accommodations include, but are not limited to:

  • If you require a private appointment due to a medical condition or disability, we may schedule an alternative time for you to come in for your interview.
  • If you or your child has special needs that requires a private appointment in a quiet space without distractions, we may schedule an alternative time for you or your family to come in for your interview.
  • If you are unable to speak, you may be allowed to respond to questions in an agreed-upon nonverbal manner such as using pen and paper.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may bring a sign language interpreter to translate during the interview if needed.
  • If you have low vision, we may provide you with communications in large print.

If you are unable to provide fingerprints because of a medical condition, including birth defects, physical deformities, skin conditions, you may qualify for a fingerprint waiver for certain fingers.

Interview waivers are only granted in extreme situations, such as having a medical condition that requires flying in an air ambulance.

  • The Consular Section – which includes outdoor and indoor waiting areas, service windows, and restrooms — is completely accessible for those who use wheelchairs or other assistive devices. However, the new facilities are spacious and may require applicants to stand for periods of time and walk for moderate distances. Should your medical condition require a wheelchair or mobility assistance device, please bring it with you to your appointment.