Guatemalans abroad will now be able to process a passport valid for 10 years and these are the requirements
The Guatemalans in the United States may apply for a passport valid for 10 years reported the Guatemalan Institute of Migration (IGM).
The institution announced that Guatemalans residing abroad may opt for both a new or renewal passport with greater validity.
Migration highlighted that the passport with 10 years of validity does not apply to minors.
The document may be required at the Guatemalan consulates in the United States that have a printing center, which are:
- Chicago, Ill.
- Houston Texas
- Lake Worth, Florida
- Los Angeles California
- New York, New York
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Riverhead, New York
- Rockville, Maryland
Requirements to obtain the passport
To obtain a passport valid for 10 years abroad, A series of requirements must be met, such as filling out a Guatemalan passport application form.
In addition, any of the following documents must be presented:
- Current Guatemalan passport containing the Unique Identification Code (CUI)
- original DPI and copy
- Original and current birth certificate with the Unique Identification Code (CUI)
- Original and current naturalized Guatemalan certificate
- Original and current Guatemalan certificate of origin
- Proof of payment issued by the Consulate $100 dollars (payment is made at the consulate where you will process your Guatemalan passport).
- Expired passport (in case of renewal) in original and copy of the data sheet and extension, as applicable.
According to IGM figures, to date more than 375,000 passports have been issued in the United States and more than 236,000 in Guatemala.
Delay in passport delivery
Migration maintains the challenge of meeting the demand for passports.
This year, Guatemalans living in the United States experienced delays in the delivery of passports due to lack of cardsor other documents such as the Personal Identification Document (DPI).
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In the case of Guatemala, due to the pandemic, the institution implemented an appointment system, which also generated a delay so that users could process and receive the document.
Given the increasing demand for passports and the extension of deadlines, it was identified that over time the alleged processors offered appointments for up to Q1 thousand 500 to those who sought to request the document urgently.
The authorities carried out an operation to detect anomalies, such as on November 8, when a capture was reported.
Due to the drawbacks, another means that was used for was the simulation of trips.
Due to the need that hundreds of Guatemalans maintained to obtain the document, the IGM opened the possibility of considering special cases in the event of a short-term trip. But to access this option, the intention to leave the country must be verified.
This fast-track service opened another type of business: some travel agencies began to offer the issuance of a simulated air ticket for Q350, in order to demonstrate to Migration that it was a special case and the passport could be renewed the same day.
Read more: IGM did not solve delays in the issuance of passports during 2021
