Jason C. Says:
I’d love to own my own small place on Roatán. What kind of residence permit would I need and how do I get one?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Jason,
Roatán, off the coast of Honduras, is an ideal spot for adventurous expats looking for a low-key, “off the grid” lifestyle.
You don’t actually need to be a resident to purchase property in Roatán, as long as it’s less than 0.72 acres. If you wish to purchase a larger property, or to purchase more than one property, you’ll have to obtain residence.
Residence permits are processed by the secretary of justice (Secretaría de Gobernación y Justicia) so it is necessary to make the application through a local Honduran attorney. All residence types take an average of six to nine months to process in their entirety, but you may enter the country as a tourist and begin your application process while in Honduras.
U.S. citizens can travel with a passport without the need to apply for a special visa.
The types of residence permits that can be obtained in Honduras are:
- Rentist: The applicant must have an income of at least $2,500 per month from a source outside of Honduran soil (e.g., rents, deposits, bonds).
- Retired: The applicant must have a lifetime benefit of at least $1,500 per month coming from a private or government institution.
- Investor: The applicant must prove that his business or project is or will be represented by an investment of at least $50,000.
- Relative: The applicant must be a relative of a Honduran citizen.
Read more about life in Roatan here.
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