Honduras Residency - A bill was passed by the Honduran Legislature that opens the way for retired foreigners and those with means of income to obtain residency in Honduras. It was specifically designed to encourage immigration. Legal residency status means that a foreigner moving to Honduras can ship household goods and even a vehicle into the country without having to pay duty import tax.

Basically the law states that that there are two classifications of residents. First, there is the resident who is retired and lives on a pension. Second, there is the resident who is called an income resident and lives on income from non-Honduran sources (is not employed by Honduran businesses or agencies). The income resident can also have investments in Honduras.

To apply for residency, you will have to do it outside of Honduras. If you are a U.S. citizen, you can submit the application to:

Miami Consulate of Honduras
300 Sevila Ave.
Suite 201
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 447-8927

You can also submit to the paperwork to other Honduran Consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. The Honduran Embassy in Washington, D.C. will accept the paperwork too but have higher fees.

Here is what you are going to need to submit for residency:

A cover letter explaining and requesting your desire for residency.
The application must be accompanied by a

10 Lempira stamp and two $25 U.S. stamps and a consular seal.

3 passport-sized photos of you and your family.

A form from the Institute of Tourism that you are not a member of the Communist Party.

Two copies of your birth certificate to include a Spanish translation of it. The consulate must certify it.

A form provided by the Consulate stating that the papers submitted comply with the immigration laws of Honduras.

A copy of your marriage certificate if applicable.

A letter from a doctor stating you are in good health and a copy translated into Spanish. This requires a $25 stamp and a Consular seal plus notarization from the Consulate.

A letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you will receive at least $600 per month for the remainder of your life. It also has to be translated into Spanish and must include a $25 fee. It also has to be notarized at the Consulate.

A valid passport.

The Consulate will interview you and if approved, you will get a six-month visa stamp in your passport. When your residency is finally approved, you will be issued an ID card valid for two years as your Honduras residency.