Guatemala visa photos issued through MINEX and the consular network
Guatemala’s visa photograph is governed by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (MINEX) and its consulates abroad, with the Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración (IGM) handling Category C consulted visas inside the country. Official guidance describes the portrait simply as a recent colour passport-style photograph, and the Consulate of Guatemala in the United States specifies a 2×2 in print. European posts that use the shared CA-4 application form accept the 35×45 mm size that fits the form’s photo box.
There is no e-visa portal for Guatemala. Applications are filed on paper, either in person or by mail at a Guatemalan embassy or consulate, and the photograph must be physically stapled to the application form. MINEX does not outsource intake to VFS Global, BLS, or TLS, so the printed photo travels with the rest of the file directly to consular staff.
Consular officers reject photographs that fail the published rules or the standards enforced in practice, including visibly altered or filtered images. A non-compliant photo results in the application being returned or the appointment being rescheduled, so the print supplied with the form needs to be correct the first time.
Guatemala visa photo requirements enforced by MINEX consulates
The Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (MINEX) does not publish a granular biometric specification, but its consular network enforces a consistent set of subject rules at the counter.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionConsular staff expect a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows are grounds for rejection.
- Face the cameraThe face must be square to the camera with the head upright. Tilting, turning, or looking off-axis is not accepted.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be open and looking directly at the lens. Hair must not fall across the eyes.
- True likenessThe photograph must be a true and current likeness of the applicant. Filters, beautification, and any retouching that alters appearance are rejected in practice.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesPrescription and non-prescription glasses are not accepted by Guatemalan consulates. Remove glasses before the photo is taken.
- Sunglasses and tinted lensesSunglasses and tinted or transition lenses are prohibited in all cases.
Headwear
- No hats or capsHeadwear is not permitted. The full face from the chin to the top of the forehead must be unobstructed.
- Religious and medical exceptionsHead coverings worn daily for religious or medical reasons are allowed, provided the full face from the hairline to the chin remains visible.
Hair & facial hair
- Hair off the faceHair must be arranged so it does not cover the eyes, eyebrows, or the outline of the face.
- Beards and moustachesBeards and moustaches are accepted when they reflect the applicant’s everyday appearance.
Jewelry & accessories
- Reflective jewelryHeavy or highly reflective jewelry should be removed to avoid glare across the face or neckline.
- Face coveringsScarves, masks, and other accessories that cover any part of the face are not accepted.
Clothing
- Everyday civilian clothingApplicants should wear ordinary civilian clothing. Uniforms, military dress, and camouflage patterns are not accepted.
Photo quality
- No red-eyeRed-eye from on-camera flash is a rejection trigger. Eyes must appear in their natural colour.
- No shadows on the faceThe face must be evenly lit, with no harsh shadows cast across the features or under the chin.
- Recent photographThe photograph must have been taken within the last six months and reflect the applicant’s current appearance.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 25 mm and 35 mm (roughly 49–69% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 28 mm and 35 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Both shoulders must be square to the camera and visible. Three-quarter angles or rotated torsos are not accepted.
- The full face from chin to crown must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
How recent the photo must be.
Your visa photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Other things to know.
A few Guatemala-specific procedural details that sit outside the standard subject rules.
No e-visa portal
Guatemala does not operate an online visa portal. The printed photograph must be physically stapled to the paper application form submitted at a Guatemalan embassy or consulate, or filed by a guarantor at IGM in Guatemala City for Category C cases.
No VAC outsourcing
MINEX has not contracted VFS Global, BLS, TLS Contact, or CGI. Applications are filed directly with the Guatemalan consular network, so the photo is reviewed by consular staff rather than a visa centre intake clerk.
Dual print sizes by post
Posts in the Americas (including the United States and Canada) request a 2 by 2 inch (51 by 51 mm) print. European and other posts using the CA-4 application form accept the 35 by 45 mm size that fits the form’s glued-on photo box. Check the issuing consulate before printing.
Bring a spare print
The US consular network asks for one photograph stapled to the form, but several other posts and in-country residency procedures handled by IGM ask for two. Carrying a duplicate print avoids a return trip.
Take your Guatemala visa photo at home in three steps.
Free to check. You only pay when you keep it.
Print-quality requirements for in-person submissions.
When you submit a printed photo at a visa application centre, the paper, finish, and ink all matter. The points below cover the standards most consular missions accept.
- Print on photographic-quality paper at 300 DPI minimum.
- Use a matte or semi-gloss finish; high-gloss can produce reflections that confuse biometric scanners.
- Do not retouch, crop, or alter the photo after printing.
- Bring at least two identical prints when the submission channel calls for paper photos.