What I learned at the Immigration Office in La Ceiba

I’ve been following a number of discussions involving Canadians and Americans who have moved to Honduras, plan on living here permanently and thus want to become legal residents. Needless to say, there is a high level of bureaucratic paperwork that must be accomplished, with the assistance of a Honduran lawyer. There have been stories whereby the process has gone on for upward of three years, with thousands of dollars spent and in some cases, they are no further ahead than when they started.

We all know the difficulties of dealing with paperwork, government officials and changing laws or political parties but I dare say that Honduras must lead the race in mass confusion and arbitrary interpretation of said laws. Notice that I haven’t even used the word corruption, which is a well known fact of life when dealing with bureaucracy here!

I have never considered becoming a resident of Honduras, as I am unwilling to invest in business, purchase a home, drive a vehicle or stay here year round. I’ve too many friends and family that I love to see when I return to my first home in Canada! At the same time, I do regard myself as a law abiding person, and especially in a foreign country, I want to do everything I can to stay within the laws of the country I’m in. Remember my philosophy of life being good, if you keep it simple?

As a visiting tourist to Honduras, I am granted a 90 day visa when I pass through Immigration on arrival in San Pedro Sula airport. Therefore, since I insist on staying four months every year, I realized I was going to have to go to the local Immigration office in La Ceiba, to purchase a one month extension. Sounded like something I could get accomplished, especially as I thought ahead and brought along a Spanish speaking friend just in case the clerk didn’t or wouldn’t speak English.

We arrived at 10am, the appointed time for the clerk to be available and proceeded to spend the next full hour standing in line. There were only three other people ahead of me so I foolishly kept thinking that it really shouldn’t take long. I counted 6 people after me, not counting the 5 that gave up and left and the number that just looked in and decided to try again another day.

The good news is that the young woman spoke perfect English and in the course of two to three minutes explained to me that she couldn’t help me. The laws had been changed last year and I could only purchase an extension in the capital city of Tegucigeulpa. She also proceeded to show me the schedule of the fines that will be imposed when you do try to leave the country and since I’m going to be 28 days over, I’ll be fined 1,946 Lp. That is just over $100 US funds and I am simply furious. The fines schedule also makes it cheaper the longer you overstay your visa, so there is no incentive for attempting to obey the law!

Every single centavo that a tourist or expatriate spends in this country is absolutely free money to the whole economy here. I admit that I live very well by local standards and will wager I spend close to $500 a month between rent, necessities and entertainment. I’m left feeling that the Honduran politicians have decided that they aren’t making enough money from us and quite frankly are using a machete to cut off their noses to spite their face. My $100 of spending value could do a lot more in actual benefit to individuals than they will ever see from the government here and I resent being held hostage to any bureaucracy!

I apologize for this rant! But it honestly appears to me that the present government is making it more difficult for those from wealthier countries to be able to come here and simply live. It is one more example of mindless government and when you consider the depth and severity of the problems for people here, surely their energies could be better directed.

And in no way, shape or form does my opinion of Honduran government change my true feelings of respect and appreciation for the majority of the Hondurans that I meet every day!