Honduras offers one of the most affordable living environments in Latin America, making it an attractive option for expats seeking a low-cost lifestyle in beautiful surroundings. The country provides a variety of long-term visa options, making it accessible to retirees, investors, and others looking to stay.
Places like Roatan are increasingly popular with expats, drawn to the Caribbean lifestyle and welcoming local communities. Here’s a guide to the different visas and residency options available in Honduras
Types of Visas
Temporary Visas
Citizens of the US, Canada, the European Union and many other countries do not require a visa for Honduras. You may stay for up to 90 days as long as you have a valid passport and proof of return or ongoing travel.
Long-Term Visas
Similar to other countries in the region, Honduras offers three types of long-term residency:
Rentista: Proof of a minimal monthly income of $2,500 a non-Honduran source (e.g., rents, deposits, bonds).
Retiree: Proof of a guaranteed lifetime monthly benefit of a minimum of $1,500 per month coming from an established private or government institution.
Investor: Proof that a business or project will include an investment of at least $50,000.
Permanent Residency
Unlike other countries, Honduras does not distinguish between long term visas described above and permanent residency. As long as you continue to meet the conditions of the long term visa in question, you can remain in the country indefinitely.
Citizenship
Dual citizenship is permitted. Anyone who has lived in Honduras legally continuously for three years is eligible to apply for permanent residency. For people of Spanish descent, the period is two years. For citizens of Central American countries, it is one year.
Requirements and Documentation
All visa applications require the following documents, apostilled at a Honduran diplomatic facility or immigration office in the country:
Letter explaining the type of residency desired.
Proof of income.
Passport valid for one year from the date of application.
Police record showing good standing with the law.
Health certificate.
Passport photograph, size 6 cm by 6 cm.
Processing Time
Six to nine months.
Cost
Depending on the documentation required, application fees for long-term visas range from $100 to $200. Once your visa is approved, you'll need a residency card, which costs $50 to $100. Legal assistance ranges from $1,000 to $3,000. A local medical exam will cost you between $50.00 and $150.00. Finally, the translation of foreign documents will add several $100 to the application.
Contacts
Embassy of Honduras 3007 Tilden Street NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel. (202) 966-7702 Email: embassy@hondurasemb.org Web: http://www.hondurasemb.org
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