The decision to impose a visa regime has been made because of the sustained and significant increase since 2017 in the number of UK asylum applications from Honduran nationals at the UK border, who have abused the provision to visit the UK for a limited period as non-visa nationals in order to do so. In 2017 there were 9 asylum applications from Honduran nationals. In 2022 there were 789 asylum applications and in the first quarter of 2023 there were 275 asylum applications from Honduran nationals.
The changes, which come into effect immediately, will apply to all Honduran travellers to the UK. However, there will be a four-week transition period until 15:00 BST 16 August during which visitors who booked their travel before 15:00 BST 19 July can still enter the UK.
British Ambassador to Guatemala and Honduras, Nick Whittingham, said:
The changes announced today bring Honduras in line with many other visa national countries with which the UK has strong and friendly relations. Visas provide access to the UK while helping to secure the UK border.
In consultation with the British Embassy in Guatemala City, the UK Government will put in place arrangements to ensure that Honduran travellers can apply for their visitor visas in Honduras, so that they can continue to join the many visitors the UK welcomes from around the world.
A UK Visa Application Centre where travellers can submit their passports and provide biometrics will operate regularly in Honduras. The first session is scheduled to run on 26 July, with the aim of allowing applicants to receive their visas before the end of the transition period on 16 August, and with further sessions scheduled on 27, 28, 31 July and 1 and 2 August, depending on demand.
Visa applications are submitted and paid for online at: VFS Honduras Spanish page, after which applicants book an appointment to provide their biometrics and hand over their passport. The UK Government aims to process applications within 15 UK working days of receipt of the passport and biometrics and applicants can apply up to three months in advance.
The cost of a six-month multiple entry visa for the UK can be found at: UK visa fees - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Longer validity visas are also available.
Honduran nationals who booked travel to the UK before 15:00 BST 19 July will still be able to enter the UK without a visa until 15:00 BST 16 August. Any passengers arriving after 15:00 BST 16 August will require a visa to enter the UK regardless of when their travel was booked. Anyone booking their flight after 15:00 BST 19 July will also need a visa, even if they arrive before 15:00 BST 16 August.
Honduran visitors already in the UK will not be affected by the new requirement for the remainder of their visit, but once they leave the UK, they will need a visitor visa in order to enter the UK again.
Hondurans are already required to obtain a visa for other (non-visit) purposes, such as to work or study. Applicants for student or other visas will now have the option to use the new application centre in Honduras, instead of needing to travel to other countries as they have done until now.
Notes
- A Standard Visitor Visa can be used for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. Individuals can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months and might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.
- Immigrations stats are available Immigration statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK.
- Asylum stats
