Guide to Residency in Honduras
Summary: How to get residency in Honduras. A Guide for Expats, Retirees and Immigrants in Honduras.
Obtaining a residency visa in Honduras is not always easy, but our Guide to Residency in Honduras gives newcomers an overview of the steps involved and advice from others who have already navigated the process.
- Understand the Types of Residency
- Retiree (Pensionado)
- Investor
- Rentista (Rental or Investment Income)
- Permanent (For those with Honduran family ties)
- Gather Required Documents
- Valid passport and copies
- Police record from your country of origin (apostilled and translated into Spanish)
- Birth certificate (apostilled and translated into Spanish)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable, apostilled and translated into Spanish)
- Proof of income or economic solvency
- Visit the Honduran Consulate in Your Home Country
- Schedule an appointment
- Submit required documents
- Pay the applicable fees
- Apply for a Visa at the Honduran Consulate
- Complete the visa application form (available at the consulate or online: http://www.sre.gob.hn/servicios-consulares/visas/)
- Submit the form along with required documents
- Wait for visa approval
- Travel to Honduras
- Enter Honduras with the approved visa
- Register with the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) within 30 days of arrival
- Apply for a Tax Number (RTN)
- Visit the nearest Servicio de Administración de Rentas (SAR) office (http://www.sar.gob.hn/)
- Complete the RTN application form
- Submit the form along with a copy of your passport and visa
- Open a Bank Account
- Choose a bank (e.g., Banco Atlántida, Banco Ficohsa, etc.)
- Provide required documents (passport, visa, RTN, proof of address, etc.)
- Meet the minimum deposit requirements
- Apply for Residency at the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)
- Gather all required documents (passport, visa, RTN, bank statements, etc.)
- Visit the INM office (http://www.inm.gob.hn/)
- Complete the residency application form
- Submit the form and required documents
- Pay the applicable fees
- Wait for Residency Approval
- The INM will review your application
- You may be interviewed
- Once approved, you will receive your residency card
- Register with the Registro Nacional de las Personas (RNP)
- Visit the nearest RNP office (http://www.rnp.gob.hn/)
- Provide your residency card and other required documents
- Register in the system
Important Notes
- All documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish.
- The residency process can take several months, and requirements may vary based on your specific situation.
- It is recommended to consult with a local lawyer or immigration expert to assist with the process.
What tips do expats have about residency and visas in Honduras?
"In order to visit Honduras, foreign nationals must obtain a visa prior to their arrival. The process of applying for a visa involves submitting an application form, a valid passport, a passport-sized photograph, and the applicable visa fee. Depending on the purpose of the visit, additional documents may be required. In order to obtain residency in Honduras, foreign nationals must submit an application form, a valid passport, a passport-sized photograph, and the applicable residency fee. Depending on the purpose of the residency, additional documents may be required. The application process also involves an interview with a Honduran immigration official. Once the application is approved, the foreign national will receive a residency card, which must be renewed every two years," commented one member living in Honduras.
"Retirement visa, work permits, there's many ways to get residency or visa - it just costs money, and you'll need a lawyer," mentioned one expat living in Honduras.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Additional Information:
- Honduras Guide
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Honduras
- Members Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Honduras
- Best Places to Live in Honduras
- Real Estate in Honduras
- Guide to Real Estate in Honduras
- Pros & Cons of Living in Honduras
- Cost of Living in Honduras
- Getting a Driver's License in Honduras
- 15 Best Places to Live in Honduras
- How to Navigate the Health System in Honduras
- Guide to Residency in Honduras
- 2026 Guide to Living in Honduras
- Pros and Cons of Living in Honduras 2026
- 2026 Guide to Moving to Honduras


