How Long Can a U.S. Citizen Stay in Roatan? Visa Guide [2025 Rules]

Planning more than a week of reef dives and rum punches? Good news—you can linger in paradise much longer than a standard beach vacation. Below you’ll find a step‑by‑step explainer of visa limits, extensions, border‑run etiquette, and long‑stay strategies so you can map out 30 days, 6 months, or an open‑ended relocation with confidence.

Can I stay in Honduras for 6 months?

Short answer: Yes—if you combine the 90‑day tourist stamp with a single 30‑day extension (120 days total) and either (a) make a quick trip outside the CA‑4 region for a fresh 90‑day stamp or (b) pivot into a one‑year temporary residency. Here’s the timeline:

Day 0 – 90: Automatic Tourist Stamp

• Who qualifies? U.S., Canadian, EU, U.K., and most Latin‑American passport holders.

• Fee: $0 on arrival.

• Proof asked for: Onward ticket < 90 days is occasionally requested by airlines—not immigration—so keep a flexible flight handy or show a fully‑refundable ticket.

Day 90 – 120: Single 30‑Day Extension

• Where: INM Office, Coxen Hole (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.).

• Cost: L 1,500 ≈ US $58.

• Paperwork: Passport, extension form, cash or local credit card.

• Processing: Same‑day; keep the receipt stapled into your passport.

After Day 120: Two Paths

1. Quick Border Run (cheapest/flex)

   Ferry Roatan → La Ceiba → Flight to Belize City or Cancun; re‑enter Honduras with a fresh 90‑day stamp.

   Note: The CA‑4 treaty (Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua) shares days, so you must exit the treaty—Belize, Mexico, or the U.S. work best.

   Stay out at least 72 hours to ensure immigration grants a full new stamp.

2. Temporary Residency (best for long‑term)

   File rentista/retiree/investor paperwork during your 30‑day extension. Once the Constancia is entered in your passport you can remain in Honduras legally until the residency card is approved (4‑9 months).

Where can a U.S. citizen stay for six months?

Anywhere in Roatan—West End condos, Pristine Bay villas, or mainland mountain towns—so long as you respect the 120‑day limit before resetting or upgrading status.

Sample 6‑Month Scenario Month‑by‑Month Flow
Snowbird : Arrive Nov 1 → Extend Jan 30 → Fly home Apr 30
Remote‑Work : Arrive Jan 10 → Extend Apr 10 → Weekend in Belize Apr 28–30 → Back to Roatan May 1
Scout‑to‑Residency : Arrive Jun 15 → Gather docs → File rentista Aug 1 → Stay put (covered by Constancia)

How long can a U.S. citizen stay outside the United States?

Indefinitely—citizenship never lapses—but you should mind these two agencies:

• IRS: Claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) by spending ≥ 330 days abroad in a 12‑month span or by becoming a bona‑fide Honduran resident.

• Medicare: Benefits don’t pay overseas; most retirees keep Part B active and add private evacuation coverage (~US $110/mo at age 45; ~US $310 at age 65).

Passports can be renewed at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa (routine 2 weeks) or in San Salvador if you’re off‑island.

Visa‑Run Playbook (prices Q2 2025)

Route Travel Time Cost (round‑trip) New Stamp Days Why Pick It? Roatan → Belize City (TAG Airlines) 1 hr 10 min US $240 90 Fastest; avoids CA‑4 clock. Roatan → Cancun (Viva Aerobus) 1 hr 45 min US $190 90 Combine with Costco / medical. Roatan → Flores, Guatemala (Ferry + Bus) 10 hrs US $110 90 Budget choice; visit Tikal ruins.

Tip: Keep exit receipts and the fresh entry stamp; immigration may ask for proof you left CA‑4 for 72 hours.

Transitioning to Long‑Term Status

Residency Type Key Requirement Annual Renewal Typical Users Rentista Foreign income ≥ US $2,500/mo Yes (renew 4 × before permanent) Remote workers, digital nomads Retiree (Pensionado) Lifetime pension ≥ US $1,500/mo Yes (4 ×) Social Security, military pension Investor Invest ≥ US $50,000 in property/business Yes (4 ×) Real‑estate buyers, entrepreneurs

Processing Snapshot (2025)

• Legal fees US $1,500–2,000

• Gov’t stamps ≈ US $200

• Timeline 4–9 months (rentista fastest, investor slowest).

Extended FAQ Blitz

• Can I extend the tourist visa twice? No—Honduras allows only one 30‑day extension per entry.

• Does the 90‑day clock reset if I visit Utila or mainland La Ceiba? No; the stamp covers all of Honduras.

• What if I overstay? Expect a flat fine of L 6,000 (~US $230) for the first month plus L 193 (~US $7.50) per extra day, payable at the airport.

• Do Canadians follow identical rules? Yes—Canada enjoys the same visa‑free privileges and extension process.

• Do children need their own extensions? Yes—every passport must be extended separately.

• Will a residency application erase past overstay fines? No—clear fines before filing.

• Can I work locally on a tourist stamp? Paid local employment requires a work permit; remote work for foreign companies is tolerated but technically not authorized.

Ready to Lock‑In Your Timeline?

Download our free Ultimate Guide to Buying Property in Roatan—an 80‑page e‑book that walks you through:

• A market snapshot of West Bay, West End, Sandy Bay, French Harbour & Camp Bay (price trends & rental yields)

• Clear explainers on foreign‑ownership rules and the 0.72‑acre limit

• Step‑by‑step buying checklist: title search ➜ survey ➜ closing costs

• Cost calculators for taxes, HOA fees, and insurance

• Island‑living tips: utilities, healthcare, schools, and community networking.

Already ironing out your timeline? Schedule a 30‑minute discovery call and we’ll map your perfect 6‑, 12‑, or 365‑day stay.

All costs converted at 1 USD = 25.9 HNL (May 2025).