Immigrants from Guatemala in the United States — complete guide
Diaspora overview
Approximately 1,700,000 people of Guatemala-origin live in the United States according to recent US Census American Community Survey (ACS) estimates.
Guatemalan-Americans; concentrated in CA, FL, NY, TX; large indigenous Mayan diaspora
Guatemala consulate network in the US
For routine consular services (passport renewal, national ID, civil registry, notarial services, voting from abroad), visit the nearest Guatemala consulate in the US. See the Guatemala consulate directory for all locations.
Guatemala Embassy in Washington, DC
The Embassy of Guatemala in the United States handles bilateral diplomatic relations and emergency support.
- Phone: +1 (202) 745-4952 (Monday-Friday business hours, US Eastern Time)
- Address: See the Guatemala consulate in Washington, DC for verified address
US visa for Guatemala citizens
See US visa reciprocity for Guatemala citizens
US travel advisory for Guatemala
US State Department’s current advisory level for Guatemala:
Level —: — (updated —) — https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/guatemala.html
For details and re-entry guidance, see Traveling to Guatemala from the US.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
No TPS designation currently for Guatemala (verify at uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status).
US bilateral tax treaty status
❌ Guatemala does NOT have a US bilateral income-tax treaty. Standard 30% US withholding on FDAP income; Foreign Tax Credit available.
Social Security Totalization Agreement
❌ Guatemala does NOT have a Social Security Totalization Agreement with the US.
DV-2026 Diversity Visa Lottery eligibility
✅ Guatemala citizens MAY apply for DV-2026 (Diversity Visa Lottery) — currently on eligible list. On eligible list
Common immigration pathways for Guatemala citizens in the US
| Pathway | USCIS form | Typical processing | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family-based (USC spouse/parent/child) | I-130 + I-485 | 6 months - 5+ years (per Visa Bulletin) | Family relationship to USC or LPR |
| Family-based (USC sibling, F4) | I-130 + I-485 | 10-25+ years for Guatemala (visa cap) | Sibling of USC |
| Employment-based EB-1/EB-2/EB-3 | I-140 + I-485 | 1-15+ years (per Visa Bulletin) | Employer sponsorship + extraordinary ability OR advanced degree OR skilled occupation |
| Asylum (within 1 year of US arrival) | I-589 | 6 months - 5+ years | Past persecution OR well-founded fear |
| TPS (if Guatemala currently designated) | I-821 + I-765 | 30-60 days for re-registration | Guatemala national in US as of designation date |
| DACA | I-821D | 90+ days | Came to US under 16, school/military/work, no major crimes |
| U-visa (crime victim) | I-918 | 5-10+ years (waitlist) | Victim of qualifying crime + helpful to law enforcement |
| T-visa (trafficking victim) | I-914 | 1-3 years | Victim of severe trafficking + cooperation |
| VAWA self-petition | I-360 | 1-2 years | Abuse by USC or LPR spouse/parent |
| Cancellation of removal (LPR) | EOIR Form 42A | 1-5 years in court | LPR 5+ years, certain conditions |
| Cancellation of removal (non-LPR) | EOIR Form 42B | 5-15+ years in court | 10+ years US presence, exceptional hardship to USC/LPR family |
Related procedural information
- Guatemala consulates in the US — passport, ID, civil registry, notarial services
- Visa reciprocity for Guatemala citizens — visa fees, entries, validity
- Traveling to Guatemala from the US — re-entry, advance parole, embassy
- USCIS form library — all USCIS forms
- Find an immigration attorney — AILA + BIA-recognized
- BIA-recognized legal help by state — free representation
- Cross-border tax obligations by home country
- Social Security totalization by country
Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently; verify current status before relying.
Recent fee, deadline, and contact context (2025-2026)
Embassy of Guatemala in Washington DC main phone: +1 (202) 745-4952 Monday-Friday business hours US Eastern Time. The 2026-05-29 H.R.1 / OBBBA immigration fee changes affect several USCIS forms (Form I-589 asylum filing fee $100 + $100 Annual Asylum Fee; Form I-102 I-94 replacement +$24). The Form I-821 TPS fee (approximately $50) is set separately by the 2024 USCIS fee rule and capped by INA § 244(c)(1)(B) — it was not changed by OBBBA. Verify current USCIS fees at uscis.gov/g-1055 (Form G-1055) before filing.
For US embassy/consulate services IN Guatemala (visa interviews, US passport renewal for citizens abroad): see travel.state.gov. US embassies abroad maintain Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov for US citizens registering travel plans.
USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm ET. ICE Detention Locator System (ODLS): locator.ice.gov/odls. EOIR immigration court case status: 1-800-898-7180 (24/7 automated, English/Spanish). State Department visa information: 1-800-373-3340. The Visa Bulletin priority dates publish monthly around the 15th.
For US-Guatemala consular protection emergencies: contact the Embassy of Guatemala in Washington DC at +1 (202) 745-4952 OR the nearest Guatemala consulate. Many consulates have 24/7 emergency phone lines for severe situations (death, arrest, medical emergency, missing person).