If you want to make Honduras your new home, you can do so by obtaining a Honduras Retirement Visa.

A Honduras Retirement Visa is a type of temporary residence issued to retired foreigners who want to reside in the territory of Honduras.

Who Is Eligible For a Retirement Visa in Honduras?

According to National Immigration Council (CNIg), you will be eligible to obtain a Honduras Retirement Visa if:

• You are able to prove that you have a stable economic and financial situation (assets, securities, pension).
• You can transfer a monthly amount of $1500 or the equivalent in a national currency to a Honduran bank from a source outside of Honduras. (pensionado)
• You can prove that you receive a permanent, lawful, and stable income generated abroad or in the national territory of not less than $2.500 or the equivalent in a national currency. (rentista)
• You have a clear criminal record and are not considered a threat to the country of Honduras or its people.

Documents Required for a Honduras Retirement Visa

The following documents are required to be submitted when applying for a Honduras Retirement Visa:

• Accredited Power of Representation with which your attorney will act on your behalf.
• Contract stamps and contact information. Through your attorney, submit the respective contract stamps and extensive contact information for you and your representative to the Secretary of State for Human Rights, Justice, the Interior, and Decentralization.
• Passport. Your passport must be valid for at least one year from the application date. You must also attach an authenticated photocopy of your passport.
• One photograph. A recently taken photograph in a format size 6cm x 5cm.
• Certification of the Registry of Migratory Movements issued by the National Institute of Migration.
• Police clearance certificate. An authenticated criminal record certificate issued from the country of origin and the country of your last residence.
• A certificate from the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation stating that there are no complaints against you.
• Medical report. A medical certificate not older than six months stating you are in good health conditions.
• An original application for entry authorized by the respective consul. Applicable only if you have started the application process from abroad through the diplomatic or consular representations of Honduras.

NOTE: All documents issued in a language other than Spanish must be officially translated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and legalized or apostilled.

How to Apply For a Honduras Retirement Visa?

To apply for a Honduras Retirement Visa, you need to connect with a Honduran attorney to guide you through the application process. After consulting with an attorney who is familiar with this type of process, you must gather all the necessary documents.

You can submit the application for a Honduras Retirement Visa from abroad or within the Honduran territory.

• If you are applying from abroad, you can visit the nearest Honduran consulate or diplomatic mission in your country to submit the application.
• If you want to apply from Honduras, you need to get a Honduras Visa to enter the country and begin the application process while in Honduras. Generally, most people will get a free 90-day visa on arrival.

How Much Does a Honduras Retirement Visa Cost?

The application fees for a Honduras Retirement Visa are as follows:

Can I Bring my Dependents to Honduras with a Retirement Visa?

Yes, your family members can accompany you to Honduras with a retirement visa. This visa will allow you to bring your dependents (spouse and children) with you. You will be required to add an additional amount of $150 for each dependent individually and submit supporting documents such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate to prove the relationship.

Can You Work in Honduras With a Retirement Visa?

Typically, you are not allowed to work with a retirement visa. But, you can apply for permission as a rentier resident or pensioner to engage in paid activities.

This application will cost you a fee of $200. 

How Much Money Do You Need to Retire in Honduras?

Honduras’s living costs are affordable for everyone compared to other countries in Central America. The estimated monthly costs for a single person living in Honduras are around $600 without rent. This amount includes the expenses for necessities such as transportation, groceries, water, electricity, etc.

Even if you include rent, Honduras will still be cheap and affordable for you. This means that whether you decide to reside in the city or outside the city center, the rent prices will not have a big difference. You can find one-bedroom apartments for as low as $145 to $500 in the city center or three-bedroom apartments for $270 to $810 outside the city center.

In general, a monthly amount of $1000–$1500 would be enough for you to live comfortably in Honduras.

Here is a presentation of the average living costs in Honduras: 

Healthcare for Retirees in Honduras

Healthcare in Honduras is provided by the Ministry of Health. The medical services provided by the public sector are mainly available in developed cities which makes it harder for residents in rural areas to receive medical services.
Although Honduras has many hospitals and health centers that provide physician and dentistry services, the country has a low number of physicians to provide sufficient primary healthcare to the citizens.

The healthcare system is divided into the public and private sectors. The public sector includes the Ministry of Health and the Honduras Social Security Institute, whereas the private sector includes nonprofit organizations.

The private sector serves those who can afford to pay or are covered by private insurance. Around 2.9% of the population is covered by private health insurance.

Why Retire in Honduras?

Here is why you should retire in Honduras:

• Real estate. If you are looking to purchase a home or land in Honduras, you can do so at a low cost. Real estate prices in Honduras are relatively cheap. Whether you want to purchase your own home or rent a place to live, the prices are still very affordable.
• Low living costs. Besides real estate prices being low, life in Honduras is generally affordable. An amount of approximately $1500 will be more than enough for your monthly expenses, and depending on your lifestyle, you might spend even less.
• Healthcare. Hondurans have access to both the public and private sectors. Both of them offer great quality healthcare to the residents, but depending on your choice, you can always opt for private health insurance to avoid long waits and get better treatment.
• Tax Dispensations. As a retiree, you will benefit from tax exemption while importing vehicles, personal belongings, and household items importation.
• Climate. Moving to an island comes together with hot temperatures, perfect for spending your days on the beach and just relaxing for the rest of your life. The climate varies from tropical in the lowlands to temperate in the mountains.
• Nature. Nature will follow you everywhere around Honduras. The country is known for its magical beauty of marvelous landscapes and archaeological sites. In Honduras, you will find a natural mix of green and blue.

Best Places to Retire in Honduras

Making a decision where to retire in Honduras is hard because the country offers many beautiful places that fulfill your retirement needs. Here are some of the best places to retire in Honduras to help you choose the right place to live in.

Roatan

Wake up every day with a scenic view of crystal clear waters on the magical island. Roatan is famous for its amazing offshore reefs and coral gardens and is one of the most popular places to retire in Honduras. There are many activities you can do, such as snorkeling and diving, touring around the jungles, horseback riding, boat trips, and many more.

La Ceiba

La Ceiba is a port city and a popular tourist destination surrounded by lush jungles, beautiful mountains, rivers, and majestic beaches.

It is impossible not to have a great time in La Ceiba. Some of the things you can do there are taking an ATV tour through the mountainside and river valleys, hiking the jungle, diving into the beautiful waterfalls, canoeing, or just relaxing on the beach. The town is also very safe and will make you feel at home.

Copan Ruinas

Filled with greenery everywhere you go and known for its beautiful stone temples, altars, hieroglyphs, and stelae, Copan Ruinas is one of the most popular attractions in Honduras. The archaeological site is definitely an important cultural destination. Every day in Copan Ruinas will feel like an adventure in the jungle.

Gracias

Gracias is a small town in Honduras founded in 1536 and located in the western region. The town is perfect for cultural and nature tourism and offers many things to do. The hot temperatures will accompany you throughout the year, so you can enjoy the rest of your retirement on the beach.

Santa Rosa de Copan

Santa Rosa de Copan is a small town with many colorful buildings and is one of the safest cities in Honduras. Being the coffee capital of Honduras, Santa Rosa de Copan is perfect for coffee lovers who want to try new flavors. The city is also famous for producing other products like cigars, sugar refining, furniture, leather products, clothing, and beverages.

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The only country that touches four of the Central America countries, is also home to incredible Maya ruins and breathtaking nature.

Those wishing to travel to the country, for whatever reason, should first check what requirements they should meet, as they may need to apply for a visa before their trip.

Following in this article you can find all you need to know about traveling to Honduras, including whether you need a visa or not, the criteria you must meet, the procedures you need to follow, and anything else in this regard.

Who Needs a Visa for Honduras?

When traveling to Honduras, nationals of several world citizens will need to get a visa before going on a trip to this country. That is why, travelers are highly recommended to check if they need a visa or not well in advance of their trip.

Traveling Visa-Free to Honduras Under the CA-4 Agreement

Due to the Central America-4 Free Mobility Agreement reached between El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, those holding a visa to any of the four, can travel to the other three without needing any other visa or permit.

Therefore, if you already have a visa from one of the other three countries, you do not need to obtain another visa for Honduras, no matter what your nationality is.

The main thing you need to keep in mind, is that your total stay in the four countries must not surpass the limit of 90 days. The first day you step into one of the four Central American countries, is counted as your day one, even if it is only before midnight. Same applies to the day you leave.

Aside from being able to visit the four countries with a single documents, you will also be exempt from undergoing checks at border checkpoints.

Nationals of 84 Jurisdictions Exempt from Honduras Visa Requirement

Passport holders issued by the following 84 jurisdictions can also visit Honduras without a visa for up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted):

• European Union / EFTA member countries
• Andorra
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Barbados
• Belize
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Canada
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Israel
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Madagascar
• Malaysia
• Marshall Islands
• Mexico
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua
• North Macedonia
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru (30 days)
• Qatar
• Russia
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• San Marino
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkey
• Tuvalu
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United States
• Uruguay
• Vanuatu
• Vatican City

Other Categories Exempt from Visa Requirement

Aside from those mentioned above, the categories listed below that meet all the conditions set, can also enter Honduras and stay here for a maximum of 90 days:

• Nationals of China holding passports for public affairs.
• Residents of countries that are visa exempt (listed above in this article).
• holders of a valid visa issued by Canada, the United States or a Schengen member state. (This does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Timor-Leste, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen.)
• Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of Belarus, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Serbia, Suriname, Thailand and United Arab Emirates.
• Holders of diplomatic passports of Palestine.
• Merchant Seamen traveling on duty, holding a Letter of Employment or Letter of Guarantee from the shipping company, which should state that the company is responsible for Merchant Seamen during their stay in Honduras.
• Passengers with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country on the same calendar day. They must stay in the international transit area of the airport and have documents required for the next destination.

Honduras Visa Requirements

Those in need of a Honduras visa to travel to the country, have to follow several procedures and meet a list of criteria as set by the Honduran authorities. The main of these procedures, is collecting the documents required for application.

Depending on the purpose of the trip, you will need to submit the following documents for a visa to Honduras:

Required Documents for a Honduras Tourist/Business Visa

When traveling to Honduras for purposes as recreation, business or family reasons, you will need to apply for a Honduras Tourist/Business Visa. The required documents for this visa are as follows:

• Fully completed visa application form.
• Two recent photographs in the size of your passport photo.
• Your valid passport, with an expiration date that is at least six months away.
• Your flight itinerary from your current country of stay to Honduras, and vice versa.
• Invitation letter from a host/tourism agency in Honduras.
• Proof of visas from other countries, which you currently hold.
• If you are a foreign resident of the country in which you are applying for the visa to Honduras, you must indicate your current residency status, i.e. student, tourist, etc.
• Copy of proof of fee payment.

Please note that if you are applying for a multiple entry visa for business purposes, aside from the documents listed above, you will also need to submit a letter from the employer in your country of residence. The letter must indicate the period you are planning to stay in Honduras, and whether you will be covering your expenses of the trip on your own or someone else will sponsor you.

Required Documents for a Honduras Consular Visa

If you are applying for a consular visa in a bid to work in Honduras, you must first get an authorization from the Honduran Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The required documents for a Honduran Consular Visa are as follows.

• Fully completed application form for a Consular Visa.
• Your valid passport with at least six more months of validity.
• Proof on the purpose of your trip to Honduras.
• Proof of employment, i.e. work contract or letter issued by the employer.
• Bank account statements, no older than three months.
• Proof of property in your country of residence i.e. house, car, etc.
• A personal letter in which you indicate the intended duration of stay in Honduras and the intended port of entry.
• If you are a foreign resident of the country in which you are applying for the visa to Honduras, you must indicate your current residency status, i.e. student, tourist, etc.
• Proof of visas from other countries, which you currently hold.
• Copy of proof of fee payment.
• A letter from the employer in your country of residence, if you are applying for a multiple entry visa for business purposes. The letter must indicate the period you are planning to stay in Honduras, and who will be covering the expenses of your trip.

Required Documents for a Honduras Diplomatic Visa

Holder of diplomatic passports working for a foreign government, will need to submit the following documents for a Honduran Diplomatic Visa:

• Visa application form, fully completed.
• Valid passport for at least another six months.
• Official document, confirming that the person is a government diplomat.
• Photocopy of fee payment.

Required Documents for a Honduras Official Visa

Those who work for a foreign government or for an international organization, or the holders of the Laissez Passer of the United Nations are eligible to apply for a Honduras Official visa. When applying for this visa the following documents are required:

• Passport valid for at least six months.
• Proof which indicates that the person is a government official.

Honduras Visa for Minors Requirements

According to the Honduran laws, every person under the age of 21 years old is considered a child. Therefore, those under 21, when traveling to or through Honduras, are subject to a specific set of rules:

• Children traveling alone will need a letter of approval, authenticated in advance and signed by both parents or legal guardians
• Children traveling with only one parent, will need a letter of approval that is authenticated in advance and signed by the other parent or legal guardian.

Both letters are required authenticated inside of Honduras, or by a Honduran embassy or consulate located in the traveler’s country of residence.

Also read: Honduras retirement visa requirements

Honduras Visa Application Process

The application process for a visa to Honduras is simple and easy. If you are applying for a visa to Honduras, first thing you need to do is email or phone the embassy, consulate or other representative diplomatic mission of Honduras nearest to your home.

They will then send a complete list of the required documents for your particular purpose of the trip to Honduras, as sometimes there are additions or less required documents for some countries.

Once you have the list of the required documents, collect them all and send them to the consulate by express mail, or even on your own. Do not forget to include a pre-paid envelope in which you will get your passport back. You will then may be invited to attend an interview.

Honduras Visa Fee

When you apply for a Honduras visa, you will need to pay a fee for the processing of your application. The costs of a Honduras visa are quite cheap compare to other world countries. The prices for a visa to Honduras are as follows:

• Single Entry Visa – $30.00
• Multiple Entry Visa – $60.00

In addition to the visa fees, every traveler to Honduras aged 12 and older, must pay an Airport Service fee of $25 or its equivalent in local currency while departing Honduras. Exempt from this fee are transit travelers leaving within 12 hours of arrival.

Honduras Visa Validity

A Honduras Visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days. The first day you enter the country is counted as day one. Note that if you entered Honduras with a visa you obtained from one of the three other Central American Countries, the time you spent in each of them counts as well.

Honduras Entry Requirements

When you show up at the Honduran port of entry, you will have to present a few documents to prove your identity and right to enter the country. These are:

• Your passport, valid for at least another six months.
• Flight tickets to your home country/next destination after Honduras.
• Honduras Visa, if you are from a country under the Honduran visa regime.

Additional entry requirements for minors (all travelers under 21):

• Letter of approval, authenticated and signed by both parents or legal guardians, if the child is traveling alone.
• Letter of approval, is authenticated in advance and signed by the other parent or legal guardian, if the child is traveling with only one parent.

Honduras Entry Rejection

The Honduran border guards hold the authority to reject entry to those not complying with the rules of entry to Honduras. In particular, those that do not hold a return/onward ticket may not be permitted to enter Honduras.

Those who do not need a visa to the country, but show up there with a passport that is valid for less than six months, will also be rejected from entering Honduras.

Honduras Visa Extension

It is possible to extend your Honduran Visa only one time, while you are still in Honduras. The extended period will not be longer than an additional 30 days. You will need to apply for it in time, before the expiration of your current visa.

Is Honduras a Safe Country to Visit?

When traveling to Honduras there are a number of things that you should look out for, in order to make sure you are safe throughout your whole stay in Honduras.

First of all, you must be aware that Honduras has one of the highest homicide rates in the world. The north coast and central portions of the country have country’s highest crime rates, though crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country

According to the US’s Honduras travel warning you should in particular avoid traveling to the remote location of Gracias a Dios where narcotics-trafficking is frequent, infrastructure is weak, government services are limited, and police or military presence is scarce.

Before taking a trip to Honduras, note that the Zika virus is a risk there, and pregnant women should not travel to Honduras. Partners of pregnant women and couples planning pregnancy should also take preventive steps or avoid traveling to the country until the baby is born.

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