Honduras work visa (special stay permit for employees)

The employer provides the employment contract with signatures authenticated by a notary; a statement taking responsibility for the worker's support during the stay, for their departure when the permit expires and for notifying the INM when the employment ends (article 42 of the regulation of the Migration and Foreigners Law); and a certificate from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security confirming compliance with article 137 of the Constitution and article 11 of the Labour Code on foreign workers.

It also provides an authenticated copy of the company's deed of incorporation or individual trader declaration, a notarised copy of the valid operating permit, a certificate from the Revenue Administration Service (SAR) that the business has started operating, and an income statement and balance sheet signed by a registered accountant. Companies in the free zone (ZOLI) present their ZOLI resolution instead of the operating permit and SAR certificate.

Each applicant files a request addressed to the Executive Director of the INM with contact details for the foreigner and the legal representative, the legal stamps, the document giving the representative authority, a recent 6 x 5 cm photo with the name on the back, a legalised criminal record certificate from the country of origin and of last residence, an original certificate from the Police Investigation Directorate (DPI) that there are no complaints or records, a medical certificate no older than six months and an authenticated copy of the passport.

Add authenticated diplomas or certificates proving that you have the training for the job. Documents from abroad must be legalised, and those in a foreign language officially translated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a Honduran consulate.

The special stay permit costs USD 100 per year for each person, paid in lempiras, plus L.200 for certificates and attestations. While the application is pending, you must keep your stay extended at the INM at USD 20 per month.

After the resolution, register in the National Register of Foreigners. The INM publishes a separate requirement sheet for renewing permits of employees under contract; renew before the permit expires, because the employer has undertaken to arrange your departure when it ends.