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Many people assume that opening a bank account in Guatemala requires traveling. In reality, three banks now allow you to do it remotely. But the real obstacle isn't the distance: it's having a valid Guatemalan DPI. Without that document, the process changes completely.
Banrural, Banco Industrial, and Banco G&T Continental allow you to open a bank account in Guatemala from the United States without needing to travel. The main requirement is a valid Guatemalan DPI: without it, the process requires appointing a representative with power of attorney in Guatemala.
Which Guatemalan banks allow you to open accounts from the U.S.?
Three banks offer a remote opening process for Guatemalans living abroad. Most other banks in the country still require physical presence at a branch or a power of attorney with a local representative.
| Bank | Product / process | Remote opening | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banrural | Amigo Chapín Account | Yes | Product designed specifically for Guatemalans in the U.S. |
| Banco Industrial (BI) | Remote opening | Yes | Online appointment system at citas.bi.com.gt |
| G&T Continental Bank | Remote process | Yes | Online identity verification for U.S. residents. |
| Other banks | Varies | Generally no | Most require physical presence or power of attorney. |
Banrural and the Cuenta Amigo Chapín: Of the three, Banrural has the product most oriented toward the Guatemalan diaspora. The Cuenta Amigo Chapín was designed for Guatemalans living in the United States who want to keep an active account in their home country without needing to return to open it.
Banco Industrial: Remote account opening from the U.S. offers account opening for residents abroad through an online appointment system. The process includes remote identity verification and does not require visiting any branch in Guatemala.
Banco G&T Continental: Online identity verification for Guatemalans in the U.S. also enables an online identity verification process for Guatemalans living in the U.S. It is best to confirm the exact details of the process directly with the bank before starting.
What documents do you need to open the account?
Requirements vary slightly by bank, but there are four documents that appear consistently across all three remote processes.
Valid DPI (Guatemalan Personal Identification Document): This is the primary and most important requirement. The DPI is the identity card issued by the National Registry of Persons of Guatemala (RENAP). Without a valid DPI, none of the three banks can complete remote identity verification. If yours is expired or you never obtained one, you must first renew or apply for it—we explain how to do so from the U.S. below.
Valid passport: An alternative to the DPI for some banks. Some banks accept the Guatemalan passport as an alternative document to the DPI to start the process. However, the DPI remains the preferred document and, in some cases, the only one accepted for remote verification. Confirm with the bank before starting.
Proof of address in the U.S.: A utility bill (electricity, water, gas, or internet) or a bank statement in your name. The document must be no more than three months old and must show your current address in the United States.
Initial deposit: Amount required to activate the account when opening it remotely. Most products require an initial deposit to activate the account. The amount varies by account type and bank. It can generally be done via an International bank transfer from your U.S. account once the opening process is complete.
What if you don't have a DPI?
This is the point where many Guatemalans get stuck. If you left Guatemala before processing your DPI, or if yours is expired, you have two paths.
Option 1: Process or renew your DPI at a Guatemalan consulate in the U.S. The National Registry of Persons (RENAP) has a presence at several Guatemalan consulates in the United States. You can schedule a consular appointment to process your DPI without needing to travel to Guatemala. It is the most direct way to be able to open the account remotely afterward.
Option 2: Designate a representative with power of attorney in Guatemala. If you cannot or do not want to process the DPI at this time, you can authorize a trusted family member in Guatemala to open the account on your behalf. This requires a power of attorney granted before a notary in the U.S. and apostilled so that it is valid in Guatemala. The apostille process can take several days and has associated costs, but it is a valid alternative for banks that do not offer full remote opening.
For Guatemalans in the U.S. who never processed their DPI, the most practical route is to schedule an appointment at the nearest Guatemalan consulate: RENAP has a consular presence in several U.S. cities and allows you to process the document without traveling to Guatemala.
When is it better to use Félix even if your family doesn't have a bank account?
Having a bank account in Guatemala makes things easier: once your family member has one, Félix can send the money directly to it with a $2.99 fee and in a matter of minutes. But if they are still in the process of opening the account, or if the DPI is the current obstacle, Félix also delivers the money in cash at payment locations in Guatemala, without your family member needing an account. You can check all available delivery methods in Guatemala on our help page for transfers to Guatemala.
Sources and references
Banrural
- Banrural: Cuenta Amigo Chapín — a product designed for Guatemalans residing in the U.S.
Banco Industrial
- Banco Industrial: Appointment system — a system for scheduling remote account opening.
G&T Continental Bank
- G&T Continental: Personal Banking — official personal banking portal. It is best to confirm the details of the remote process directly with the bank.
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