Date of publication:

10/07/2026

Honduras

Do domestic laws and policies provide complementary international protection statuses?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Analysis

Article 42(15) of the Regulations to the Migration and Aliens Law authorizes the National Institute of Migration (INM) to grant Special Residence Permits (Permisos Especiales de Permanencia) on humanitarian grounds or where required by the national interest. Although Honduran legislation does not establish a formal complementary protection regime, in practice the INM has used Special Residence Permits under the humanitarian grounds category as a protection-oriented mechanism in situations where return may be inconsistent with international protection obligations. This may include certain cases involving persons with international protection needs who do not qualify for refugee status or who are subject to exclusion clauses, but whose return would be incompatible with the principle of non-refoulement. The Regulations do not establish detailed eligibility criteria, assessment standards, or specific procedural requirements for the granting of such permits.

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    Regulation of the Migration and Foreigners (Aliens) Law

    Legal provision

    Article 42 - COMPLEMENTARY INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION STATUSES

    "ARTICLE 42.- SPECIAL PERMITS OF PERMANENCE. The General Directorate of Migration and Aliens may grant special permits of permanence in the country for up to a maximum of five years, to foreigners who request it for justified reasons based on the following grounds: 1 | Students at any level of the national education system, including individuals undertaking professional internships; 2 | Refugees and stateless persons; 3 | Asylees; 4 | Migrant workers with a stay exceeding three months; 5 | Foreigners performing social service; 6 | Religious personnel; 7 | Foreigners voluntarily providing humanitarian and charitable services to the country; 8 | Foreigners engaged in commercial activities or public entertainment/shows; 9 | Foreigners hired as temporary employees by a natural or legal person; 10 | Scientists, professionals, athletes, and technical or specialized personnel, hired by natural or legal persons established in the country; 11 | Business owners, managerial personnel of national or foreign mercantile corporations authorized to conduct business in the country; 12 | Spouse and dependent minor or adult children, grandparents, and parents of the persons described in the preceding items; 13 | Members of churches whose highest authorities have signed migration facilitation agreements with the Secretariat of Governance and Justice; 14 | Foreigners hired for projects or programs funded by the Honduran Government, foreign governments, international organizations, or governmental institutions; and, 15 | Any others that the General Directorate of Migration and Aliens deems appropriate, based on reasons of national interest, humanitarian grounds, or reciprocity with other States. | Natural or legal persons, public or private, are required to notify, within a period not exceeding five business days, the termination of the relationship with the foreigner that motivated the granting of the special permit of permanence for the migratory categories comprised from item 4 to item 13 of this article." ARTICULO 42.- PERMISOS ESPECIALES DE PERMANENCIA. La Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería podrá conceder permisos especiales de permanencia en el país hasta por un máximo de cinco años, a extranjeros que por causas justificadas lo soliciten por los motivos siguientes: (…) 15. Los demás que la Dirección General de Migración y extranjería estime conveniente, en razones de interés nacional, humanitarias o en reciprocidad con otros Estados. (…)