To send money to Guatemala with MAJORITY, open the app, choose Guatemala, pick a delivery method, and confirm the transfer.
Quick answer
Three ways are supported to send money from the US to Guatemala: bank transfer to a Guatemalan bank (including Banco Industrial, Banrural, G&T Continental, Bantrab, and Banco Agromercantil), the Tigo Money mobile wallet, and cash pickup at participating bank branches. You start a transfer in the app, pick Guatemala, choose the delivery method, enter your recipient's details, and confirm the USD amount. The receive-side currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ), and most Guatemala transfers are instant once confirmed.
What you need to know
- You can open an account with a valid government-issued ID, including a passport or a US driver's license, plus a US address and basic personal details; no SSN is required.
- Once your account is verified, you start a Guatemala transfer from the app or by messaging the WhatsApp number; both channels lead into the same sending flow.
- Three delivery methods are supported to Guatemala: bank transfer, the Tigo Money mobile wallet, and cash pickup at participating branches of Banco Industrial, G&T Continental, Bantrab, and BAM.
- Bank-transfer delivery time is 30 minutes to 5 business days depending on the receiving bank, cash pickup is same day at most participating locations, and Tigo Money lands in minutes once confirmed.
- At the member tier, no per-transfer fee applies to Guatemala transfers regardless of delivery method; the membership is $5.99 per month and the receive-side currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ).
Step 1: Open and verify your account
If you do not yet have an account, you open one from the app on iOS or Android. The sign-up process runs entirely on your phone and verification is typically digital. You will be asked for:
- Your full legal name, date of birth, and a US address
- A US phone number
- A valid government-issued photo ID (passport, US driver's license, or other national ID)
- A short selfie in the app so the provider can match your face to the photo on your ID
You do not need a Social Security Number to open an account. Verification usually takes a few minutes, although manual review can extend it to one business day in some cases. Once your identity is verified, you can fund your account and start a money transfer.
Step 2: Start a transfer from the app or via WhatsApp
You can start your Guatemala transfer from two channels. The first is the app: open it, tap Send money, and choose Guatemala as the destination country. The second is WhatsApp: you can message the MAJORITY WhatsApp number to initiate a transfer, and the conversation walks you through the same set of recipient and amount questions the app asks. Both channels lead to the same Guatemala destination and the same three delivery methods.
Step 3: Choose a delivery method
Three delivery methods are supported for Guatemala. Pick the one that matches what your recipient already uses.
| Delivery method | What your recipient needs | Typical speed | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer to a Guatemalan bank | An account at Banco Industrial, Banrural, G&T Continental, Bantrab, BAM, or another supported institution, plus the account number | 30 minutes to 5 business days, depending on the receiving bank | Recipients who already bank with a major Guatemalan institution; widest rural reach via Banrural |
| Mobile wallet to Tigo Money | A Tigo Money account on a Guatemalan phone number | Minutes once the transfer is confirmed | Recipients who already use Tigo Money for everyday payments |
| Cash pickup at a participating bank branch | A valid government-issued ID (typically the DPI, Documento Personal de Identificación, or a passport) and the transfer reference, at a branch of Banco Industrial, G&T Continental, Bantrab, or BAM | Same day at most participating locations | Recipients without a Guatemalan bank account, or who prefer cash |
Bank transfer is the right method when your recipient already has a Guatemalan bank account, when they prefer to keep the money in their account for later use, or when they live in a rural area better served by Banrural than by the cash-pickup banks. Tigo Money is the fastest option for recipients who use it on their Guatemalan phone. Cash pickup fits recipients without a Guatemalan bank account who live close to a participating branch.
Step 4: Enter your recipient's details
What your recipient needs to give you depends on the method:
- Bank transfer: your recipient's full legal name as it appears on the bank account, the receiving Guatemalan bank, and the Guatemalan account number. The name on the account must match the name you enter in the app, since a mismatch can cause the receiving bank to hold or reject the transfer.
- Tigo Money: your recipient's full legal name and the Guatemalan phone number registered to their Tigo Money account.
- Cash pickup: your recipient's full legal name as it appears on the ID they will present at the branch (DPI or passport). After you confirm the transfer, share the transfer reference with your recipient; they will use it together with their ID at any participating branch.
Ask your recipient to send you the exact spelling on their bank statement, Tigo Money profile, or DPI, including any second surnames, before you start.
Step 5: Enter the USD amount and confirm
Enter the USD amount you want to send. The app shows the live USD-to-GTQ exchange rate, the GTQ total your recipient will receive, the estimated delivery time, and any applicable fee on the confirmation screen, before you confirm. Review these figures, then tap Confirm.
After you confirm, you receive a transfer reference number. Share it with your recipient so they can match it against the deposit on their statement, the credit in their Tigo Money account, or the cashier's slip at the branch.
Typical timing for a Guatemala transfer
Timing depends on the delivery method and, for bank transfers, on the receiving bank. The baseline ranges are:
- Bank transfer: 30 minutes to 5 business days depending on the receiving bank; in practice, most Guatemala transfers are instant once confirmed.
- Tigo Money: minutes once the transfer is confirmed.
- Cash pickup: same day at most participating locations; the recipient sees the transfer ready for pickup once it has been processed on the partner network.
The estimated delivery time shown in the app on the confirmation screen reflects the chosen method, the time of day, and the partner network's current processing status. It is the authoritative figure for the specific transfer you are about to make. Transfers confirmed on weekends or public holidays in Guatemala or the US can take longer at receiving banks that batch incoming international transfers during business hours.
ID and account requirements in Guatemala
For bank transfer and Tigo Money, your recipient does not need to show an ID when the funds arrive — the deposit lands in the account or wallet they already hold. For cash pickup, your recipient presents a valid government-issued ID at the branch, together with the transfer reference. The DPI (Documento Personal de Identificación), the national ID issued by RENAP, is the most commonly used document in Guatemala; a passport is also accepted, particularly for Guatemalan nationals living abroad. The participating bank may also ask for the transfer amount and the sender's name to match what you entered in the app.
These recipient-side requirements are set by the receiving bank or Tigo Money, not by MAJORITY.
What to do next
- If you do not have an account yet, download the app and finish ID verification.
- Ask your recipient which method works best for them: a Guatemalan bank account, a Tigo Money number, or cash pickup at a participating bank.
- Collect the details that match the chosen method (full legal name plus account number, phone number, or ID), confirmed against their statement, Tigo Money profile, or DPI.
- Open the app or message the WhatsApp number, start a transfer to Guatemala, and choose the delivery method.
- Enter the recipient's details and the USD amount, review the GTQ total, the exchange rate, and the estimated delivery time on the confirmation screen, then confirm. Share the transfer reference with your recipient.
How MAJORITY can help
MAJORITY is a financial membership for migrants in the US that supports money transfers to more than 30 countries, including Guatemala. The Guatemala destination includes bank transfers to Banco Industrial, Banrural, G&T Continental, Bantrab, BAM, and other major Guatemalan institutions; mobile wallet sends to Tigo Money; and cash pickup at participating branches of Banco Industrial, G&T Continental, Bantrab, and BAM. At the member tier, no per-transfer fee applies to Guatemala transfers regardless of delivery method, and the live exchange rate and estimated delivery time are visible in the app before each transfer is confirmed.
To get started:
Frequently asked questions
How do I send money to Guatemala with MAJORITY?
Open the app (or message the WhatsApp number), choose Guatemala as the destination, and pick a delivery method: bank transfer to a Guatemalan bank, Tigo Money, or cash pickup. Enter your recipient's details and the USD amount, review the GTQ total and the estimated delivery time, and confirm.
How do I send money to Guatemala from the US?
You can send money from the US to Guatemala using a regulated money-transfer service that supports this destination. With a US-based account, you fund it and start a transfer in the app. You choose one of three Guatemala delivery methods (bank transfer, Tigo Money, or cash pickup) and confirm the USD amount; your recipient receives Guatemalan quetzales (GTQ).
Can I send money to Guatemala via WhatsApp with MAJORITY?
Yes. WhatsApp is one of the sending channels supported for money transfers, including to Guatemala. You can message the WhatsApp number to initiate a transfer; the conversation walks you through the same recipient, method, and amount questions as the app.
What do I need to send money to Guatemala?
You need an active account, your recipient's details for the chosen delivery method, and the USD amount. For a bank transfer, that means the receiving Guatemalan bank, the account number, and the exact name on the account. For Tigo Money, you need the recipient's name and Guatemalan phone number. For cash pickup, you need the recipient's full legal name as it appears on their DPI or passport.
How long does a Guatemala transfer take?
Bank-transfer delivery time is 30 minutes to 5 business days depending on the receiving bank, and most Guatemala transfers are instant. Tigo Money lands in minutes once confirmed, and cash pickup is same day at most participating locations. The estimated delivery time shown on the confirmation screen is the authoritative figure for your specific transfer.
Is there a fee to send money to Guatemala with MAJORITY?
At the member tier, no per-transfer fee applies to Guatemala transfers regardless of delivery method. The MAJORITY membership is $5.99 per month. The applicable USD-to-GTQ exchange rate at the time of the transfer is shown in the app before you confirm.
Do I need an SSN to open an account?
No. You can open an account with a valid government-issued ID such as a passport, a US driver's license, or another national ID, plus a US address and basic personal details. Identity verification is digital and typically takes a few minutes.
Disclosures
The MAJORITY app facilitates banking services through Axiom Bank, N.A. ("Axiom"), Member FDIC. The funds deposited in the account held at Axiom, Member FDIC, are FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 per depositor in the event Axiom fails and subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Non-deposit products or services such as money transfers and telecom services are not FDIC-insured.
MAJORITY Visa® Debit Card is issued by Axiom Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.