The Honduran government has recently declared a significant move towards fostering closer ties with Saudi Arabia by announcing a visa exemption for Saudi citizens looking to visit the Central American Republic for various purposes.
The announcement was confirmed by Antonio Garcia, the Honduran deputy minister of foreign affairs for consular affairs and immigration, via the social media platform “X”, VisaGuide.World reports.
Saudi-Honduras Diplomatic Talks Yield Visa Exemption for Tourists
This decision comes in the wake of a pivotal meeting held in Tegucigalpa between Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Walid Bin Abdul Karim Al-Khuriji and his Honduran counterpart, Enrique Reina.
During this diplomatic meeting, both officials underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and augmenting tourism between the two nations.
However, Honduras is currently not among the countries exempt from Saudi visa requirements. This means travelers wishing to visit Saudi Arabia should apply for a visa beforehand.
Several visa types are available, catering to different purposes such as tourism, employment, residency, or education. Depending on the nature of the visit, applying for the appropriate visa type is essential.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how Honduran citizens can apply for a Saudi visa:
- Figure out which visa type matches the reasons for visiting.
- Check the visa requirements carefully and gather all necessary documents before applying to prevent delays.
- Apply for a visa beforehand to ensure it’s processed in time for your trip.
- Ensure the passport has at least two blank pages for the visa stamp.
According to Saudi Arabia Immigration, Honduran citizens seeking to apply for a Saudi visa have two primary options:
- Apply in person at the Embassy or a Kingdom of Saudi Arabia consulate.
- Utilize the services of authorized travel agencies affiliated with the Embassy for a quicker application process.
As of April 2024, the Honduran passport is ranked 79th globally according to the VisaGuide Passport Index. This ranking allows Honduran citizens to enjoy visa-free travel to 100 countries worldwide. However, Honduran passport holders must apply for a visa in advance to enter the remaining countries.
Similarly, the Saudi passport holds the 101st position in the global ranking as of April 2024. Based on the VisaGuide Passport Index, this ranking permits Saudi citizens visa-free travel to 59 countries worldwide. Nevertheless, for access to the remaining countries, Saudi passport holders must apply for visas before their travels.