Do I Need to be a Honduras Resident?
“Residency is over rated for most!”
General Entry to Honduras
The standard practice is to grant everyone 90 days, and then you can extend it for a further 30 days by visiting the immigration office in Coxen Hole. If you don’t have a return ticket on entry, be very careful - airlines have the right to stop you from boarding, and Honduran immigration has the right to deny you entry.
Pro tip: Buy a separate fully refundable return ticket or buy a bus ticket online from Ceiba to Guatemala City and tell them you are backpacking.
Overstaying Your Visa
Honduras has a set monetary fine structure and seems quite happy to just collect the fine and then let you return a short time later. The fine is about 6,000 Lempira (250 USD) for the first 6 months.
| Time Period | Fine Amount (Lempira) | USD Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day to 6 months | 6,357.16 | ~$250 |
| 6 months + 1 day to 2 years | 12,714.32 | ~$500 |
| 2 years + 1 day to 3 years | 19,071.48 | ~$750 |
| 3 years + 1 day to 4 years | 25,428.64 | ~$1,000 |
| 5 years and up | 38,142.96 | ~$1,500 |
Benefits of Residency
- Honduras does not charge taxes on money earned outside of Honduras
- One-time exemption for moving household goods without import duties
- Can bring a vehicle without paying import duties every few years
- Faster immigration processing
- Can open a bank account
- Can apply for driver’s license
- Tercera edad (60+) discounts at many businesses
Disadvantages
- Costly at about $3,000 for first-time application
- Must renew annually for first 5 years (~$100 renewal)
- Acquiring documents can be a hassle (police reports, apostilles)
- Once resident, expected to get Honduran driver’s license
- Must live in country majority of the year (6+ months)
- Children under 21 need notarized permission to travel
Types of Residency
Pensionado
For retirees with monthly pension of at least $1,500. Not permitted to work.
Rentista
Regular guaranteed income exceeding $2,500/month from non-employment sources. Not permitted to work.
Familia
Direct relationship with Honduran citizen (marriage, parents, children). Cheapest and easiest option.
Inversionista
Invest $50,000 USD into a business. Your rental property can qualify if rented part-time.
Immigration Office Location
The immigration office is situated on the 3rd floor of Plaza Mar, located off the main road behind the Petro Sun and Eldon’s in Coxen Hole. (Coordinates: 16.32255, -86.53693)