Guatemala: immigration

How many Guatemalans are deported from the United States and Mexico?

49,671 Guatemalan migrants were returned from the United States by air between 1 January and 4 October 2026, according to the Guatemalan Migration Institute (IGM), on 462 flights. A further 4,510 were returned from Mexico by land, according to its Mexico report.

Of the returns from the United States, 48,573 were adults, mostly men, and 1,098 were children, 359 of them unaccompanied. Monthly arrivals rose from between 4,400 and 5,100 in the first half of 2026 to between 6,300 and 7,000 from July to September. In 2025 the IGM counted 44,856 returns from the United States between 1 January and 11 December. Its statistics page also has data files.

Official sources: Guatemalan Migration Institute (IGM) · Mexico report · statistics page

Do I need a visa to visit Guatemala?

Citizens of countries that Guatemala places in visa category C must get a visa before travelling, according to the Guatemalan Migration Institute (IGM). The tourist or traveller visa costs US$25 per application, and an extension of a tourist stay also costs US$25, paid in quetzales at the central bank's exchange rate.

Every visitor needs a valid passport and, where the IGM asks, may have to show a return ticket, a hotel booking or a contact in the country and proof of funds, according to its entry requirements. Extensions must be requested before the authorised stay runs out, with a passport valid for at least six months. The IGM also issues business, conference and residence-pending visas, each with its own requirements.

Official sources: Guatemalan Migration Institute (IGM) · entry requirements

How many people seek asylum in Guatemala?

1,373 new asylum applications were lodged in Guatemala in 2025, according to UNHCR's asylum statistics. At the end of 2025 Guatemala hosted 1,586 refugees and 4,088 asylum seekers, according to UNHCR's population figures, up from 1,306 refugees and 3,370 asylum seekers a year earlier.

By country of origin, the largest groups were from El Salvador (636 refugees), Honduras (415) and Nicaragua (280); Venezuelans lodged 1,047 of the pending claims. Many people in transit through Guatemala do not apply, so the figures cover only those inside the asylum system.

Official sources: UNHCR's asylum statistics · population figures · country of origin

How many Guatemalans have sought asylum abroad?

34,994 refugees and 138,420 asylum seekers from Guatemala were living in other countries at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR's population statistics.

Most were in the United States, which had 27,191 Guatemalan refugees and 132,300 asylum seekers, followed by Mexico (6,393 refugees and 4,407 asylum seekers) and Canada (586 refugees). UNHCR compiles these figures from host governments' data, so they count only people who have applied for or received protection, not all Guatemalan migrants. Asylum seekers are people whose claims had not yet been decided at the end of the year.

Official sources: UNHCR's population statistics · 27,191 Guatemalan refugees and 132,300 asylum seekers

How many foreign-born people live in Guatemala?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in Guatemala was 0.5% in 2024. Latin America & Caribbean median: 4.8%; Guatemala is 30th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 173rd highest.

What is net migration in Guatemala?

According to the UN Population Division, net migration in Guatemala was -7,959 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from -57,746 (2019) to -7,725 (2024). Latin America & Caribbean median: -967; Guatemala is 22nd highest of 33. Worldwide: 126th of 193.

How many refugees live in Guatemala?

1,586: that is the number of refugees in the country in Guatemala for 2025, according to UNHCR. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 13th highest of 28 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 1,306. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 118th highest.

How many refugees have fled Guatemala?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Guatemala at 34,994 in 2025. The peak was 36,323 in 2024 and the low 3,376 in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 710, and Guatemala placed 8th highest of 33. Worldwide: 38th of 189.

How much money do migrants send home to Guatemala?

20.8% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Guatemala for 2025, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 3.3% of GDP; Guatemala is 3rd highest of 27. Worldwide: 8th of 127.