Rights and obligations

Asylum-seekers and refugees may exercise their rights under equal and dignified conditions. In other words, they should have access to the same opportunities as Guatemalans.

Asylum-seekers and recognized refugees may remain in Guatemala and obtain a Special Personal Identity Document (DPI-E), processed at the National Registry of Persons (RENAP, Registro Nacional de las Personas). Learn more on the RENAP website. (link in Spanish)

Once the refugee status recognition process has begun, you can request a permit to leave Guatemala. To obtain it, you must go to the Department for the Recognition of Refugee Status (DRER), who will help you process your Special Travel Document. This permit will only be valid for one exit and one entry. It is not a document to return to the country of origin.

You are entitled to free pre-primary, primary and basic education in state institutions. According to Ministerial Agreement No. 1753-2019 of the Ministry of Education, you are not required to submit any documentation proving studies completed in the country of origin. For elementary education, an agreement must be reached with the school director to determine the year level. In the case of high school, an evaluation test must be taken to determine the student’s year of study.

Asylum-seekers and refugees may attend public health centers and hospitals free of charge.

Asylum-seekers and refugees may apply for work permits issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MINTRAB) free of charge. The work permit for applicants for refugee status is extended for a period of 6 months and for refugees for a period of 1 year. You can renew it for free. Enter your application or extension request on the following page.

Asylum-seekers and refugees may move freely throughout Guatemala. You must carry your Special Personal Identity Card (DPI-E) at all times in order to be identified by the authorities if necessary. People recognized as refugees by Guatemala may change their residence at any time within the country. Refugees can use their DPI-E for identification, or the Documento Personal de Identificación para Extranjeros Domiciliados (Red DPI) if they have already applied for temporary residence as refugees.

Only people who have already been recognized under refugee status may apply for a driver’s license. For this procedure it is necessary to have the Personal Identification Document for Domiciled Foreigners (Documento Personal de Identificación para Extranjeros Domiciliados, Red DPI). However, asylum-seekers may apply for a driver’s permit from the National Civil Police.

If you are asked to prove that you do not have a criminal or police record, you can apply at the Judicial Organism of Guatemala and the National Civil Police with the Special Personal Identity Document (DPI-E) if you are an asylum-seeker. If you have already been recognized as a refugee, you can do so with the DPI-E or with the DPI for Domestic Foreigners – apply in person at the head office. For more information, see the Ministerio de Governacion website or the National Civil Police website (both sites in Spanish).