Guatemala entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Passport validity (FCDO rule): At least 6 months after the day you arrive
Visa (FCDO): You can visit Guatemala without a visa for up to 90 days. Official visa text
Official source: GOV.UK – Guatemala travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 13 August 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter Guatemala, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.
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Do I need a visa for Guatemala with a British passport?
In short: You can visit Guatemala without a visa for up to 90 days.
Our one-line summary of the first FCDO sentence below, which matches a wording we recognise. It applies to British citizen passport holders; read the full official text, which may add conditions.
You can visit Guatemala for up to 90 days without a visa.
If you overstay the 90 days, you’ll have to pay a fine before leaving the country. You can pay this fine at the main Institute of Migration (in Spanish) office in Guatemala City. You can also pay fines at the airport or land borders, but administrative processes can cause serious delays.
Applying for or extending a visa
To stay longer than 90 days (to work or study, for business, travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Guatemalan government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Guatemalan Embassy in the UK.
If you want to extend your visa or permit to stay, you must apply to the Institute of Migration (Spanish language website).
Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry.
If you do not get your passport stamped when you arrive, you will get a fine and be delayed on your departure. If you notice your passport has not been stamped, return to the immigration desk immediately, or go to the Institute of Migration (in Spanish) offices in Guatemala City as soon as possible.
Official source: GOV.UK – Guatemala travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 13 August 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”
To enter Guatemala, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank pages.
Official source: GOV.UK – Guatemala travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 13 August 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Check your passport for Guatemala
Schengen rules count your whole trip in the Schengen area: if you visit several Schengen countries, enter the day you first enter the area and the day you leave the last Schengen country.
The check runs in your browser: your dates are not sent anywhere. It applies the FCDO sentence literally (for example “6 months” is counted as the same day of the month 6 months later).
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Blank pages: the official text says “…at least 2 blank pages…”. The checker does not count pages.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 14 October 2025: “Updated information about travelling between Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 6 October 2023: “Information on the requirement to complete an immigration pre-clearance form before entering or exiting Guatemala and further information on the political situation and protests (‘Summary’. ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).”
- 26 May 2023: “New information about getting an immigration stamp if issued an Emergency Travel Document whilst in Guatemala ('Entry requirements' page), and what to do in case of an Earthquake ( ‘Natural Disasters’ page).”
- 22 August 2022: “State of Siege and State of Calamity ended; local authorities change measures against COVID-19 (‘ Summary’ ‘Safety and Security (Local Travel)’ and 'Entry requirements' pages)”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for Guatemala (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
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Same FCDO rule (6 months after arrival)
and 79 more destinations with the same rule: see all
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