Guatemala to require visa for Dominicans amid spike in migrants

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) -Guatemala’s migration institute on Tuesday announced it would require visas for visitors from the Dominican Republic starting next month, citing increased numbers of Dominicans arriving in Guatemala en route to the United States.

“There is evidence of an increase in people entering and moving through (Guatemala) in order to reach the United States irregularly,” migration institute spokeswoman Alejandra Mena said.

Mena said the number of Dominicans who entered Guatemala “in an irregular manner with the aim of reaching the United States” increased from 104 in 2019 to 1,393 in 2022.

The category B visa, which needs to be acquired at Guatemala’s consulates, will grant Dominicans a stay of 90 days in Guatemala.

In September 2021, Guatemala announced a similar visa requirement for Ecuadorians, also citing an increase in irregular migration.

(Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Brendan O’Boyle; Editing by Isabel Woodford and Deepa Babington)