residency in guatamala

Residency is not as easy as just putting your money down. It is complicated and there are several categories. One is "jubilado" for retirees...last time I looked into it it requires a minimum income of $1,000USD for a single person from a pension like Social Security but if the money is from investments, it is much more complicated...THEN you have to get a police report in the USA, have it vetted by the US State Department, sent to GUatemala...etc., etc. on and on it goes. For non-retirees you used to have to have a GUatemalan vouch for you , tell the Guatemalan government all THEIR sources of income, bank accounts etc.....really absurd stuff.It may still be that way.

In general, residency it not worth it....many if not most gringos living here just go out of country for three days once every six months to Mexico or back to the US.

There is a misconception on the police report. It's actually a "Letter of Good Conduct". You will need it from the Police or Sheriffs department in the county where you resided at least 5 years. Once you have it, you can mail or take it to the local Guatemalan consulate to be "stamped" and then you can use it in Guatemala (call the consulate to be sure of the process, you will have to include a self addressed envelope/postage and a money order for the stamp) or take it to the consulate in person. Of course once the document is in Guatemala you will need to have it translated to Spanish by and authorized translator. Those are the steps for the letter of good conduct; the document will be valid for six months from date of translation.

The US Guatemalan Consolate stamp is required on documention coming from the US, it's always worth checking the consulate to be sure.

CORRECTION-the price was $350 not 530 right numbers wrong order as for the two responces i got so far they are correct as far as a perminate pension residency but i was inquireing about the 5 yr. residency.thanks for any help and have a lovely day.

I may be wrong, but I believe the 5yr residency is no longer being issued. It is all or nothing.
I obtained my mothers residency 5 years ago without too much trouble but things change. I used an attorney in GC who was reasonable and is still in business. We only had to go to the city once. If you want a phone number you can email me.