Santo Domingo, DR. – Guatemala migration authorities announced on Tuesday that citizens of the Dominican Republic will now be required to obtain a visa to enter the country.
The visa requirement is due to an increase in people of this nationality who are illegally transiting through Central American countries in order to reach the United States.
Last year, Guatemala denied entry to 1,393 Dominicans, while in 2021, the number was 474, according to data from the Guatemalan Institute of Migration (IGM).
Starting the second week of February, Dominicans wishing to enter Guatemala will need to obtain a “B” type visa, which will allow them to stay for 90 days in the country and move freely within it, according to the same source.
The IGM states that the measure is based on reports of an increase in the irregular migration flow of people from the Dominican Republic who are seeking to reach the United States.
Up until now, citizens of this country were able to enter Guatemala only with their passports.
Guatemala, due to its geographical location, is the penultimate border that thousands of Central American, South American, and other nationalities migrants attempt to cross each year.
