Belizeans In The Uk: Work Opportunities And Visa Rules

Belize is a former British colony that gained independence in 1981 and is now an English-speaking democratic country with a population of around 400,000 people. It has a unique combination of 10 diverse cultures and is located in Central America, just below Mexico, with the Caribbean Sea to its east. Belize has an economy that is dependent on its natural resources and offers a supportive environment for private investment in areas such as renewable energy, agribusiness, tourism, and light manufacturing.

Belizean citizens have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 104 countries, including the UK, which has a close working relationship with Belize. However, to work in the UK, Belizean citizens would need to apply for a visa.

Belizean citizens can work in the UK if they have British Nationality

Belize gained independence from Britain in 1981 and is now a peaceful, democratic country with a population of around 400,000 people of diverse cultures. It is the only country in Central America with English as its official language.

Belizean citizens who also hold British nationality can live and work in the UK. However, Belizeans without British nationality cannot work in the UK without a valid permit.

British nationals in Belize are advised to register with the local authorities and follow the advice of the Belizean government. They must also have a valid passport, proof of an onward or return ticket, and sufficient funds to cover their stay. If they wish to stay longer than 30 days, they must apply for an Extension of Stay permit at any of the Immigration Offices.

British nationals cannot work or study in Belize without a valid permit. They should contact the Belize Immigration Department for information and advice regarding residency, work permits, and student visas.

This can be claimed if you have a British-born parent or grandparent

If you have a British-born grandparent, you may be eligible to claim British Citizenship by Descent, also known as British Citizenship by Double Descent. This is a complex process with a number of routes depending on your age, so it is recommended that you seek expert immigration advice.

Adults Born After 1st January 1949

If you were born after 1st January 1949, there are several scenarios in which you can claim British Citizenship by Double Descent:

• You (or a parent) were born in a former British territory (British Protectorates, British Protected States, Mandated Territories, Foreign Countries with ETJ or Post-1949 Colonies).
• You (or a parent) are registered as a British Citizen.
• A parent or grandparent was in Crown Service (British Military, Overseas Civil Service, Colonial Service or Diplomatic Corp).
• Your parents were married before 1949 and your mother was a British subject.

Adults Born Before 1st January 1949

If you were born before 1st January 1949, the most common cases of claiming British Citizenship by Double Descent include:

• You and your parent were not in a Commonwealth country (must have been born before 1915).
• You or your parent were born in a former British territory.
• Your grandparent or parent was married to a British man before 1949.

Children Under 18

If you are under 18, there are particular circumstances that can make you eligible to claim British Citizenship by Double Descent:

• A parent has spent at least three years in the UK with no absence from the country for more than 270 days over the three-year period, and the relevant grandparent was born in the UK.
• A parent will be staying in the UK for at least another three years, providing that the child is still under 18 when the application for British Citizenship by Descent is made.
• A parent who is British has given birth to the child who is classed as 'stateless' (the child does not take up the citizenship of the country they were born in or the nationality of their parents), and can be eligible to apply for British Citizenship by Descent.
• In exceptional circumstances, a discretionary registration is provided, such as being gifted in sports, music or theatre.

Alternative Options

If you are not British but have a British grandparent and are a Commonwealth citizen, then you have the option to apply for a UK Ancestry Visa as an alternative to applying for British Citizenship by Double Descent. To be eligible for a UK Ancestry Visa, you must:

• Prove that you are able to support yourself while being accommodated in the UK.
• Intend to work in the UK.
• Be a Commonwealth citizen.
• Have a grandparent that was born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, on a British-registered ship or aircraft, or in the Republic of Ireland before 31st March 1922.

If you don't have British Nationality, you can apply for a UK work visa

If you don't have British nationality, you may need to apply for a visa to work in the UK. The type of visa you need depends on your skills and qualifications, whether you have a job offer and sponsorship, if you want to bring your family with you, and the type of work you'll be doing.

There are many types of work visas available, including:

• Skilled Worker visa
• Graduate visa
• Health and Care Worker visa
• British National (Overseas) visa
• Youth Mobility Scheme visa
• India Young Professionals Scheme visa
• Global Talent visa
• High Potential Individual (HPI) visa
• Innovator Founder visa
• International Sportsperson visa
• Minister of Religion visa (T2)
• Scale-up Worker visa
• Frontier Worker permit
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Overseas Domestic Worker visa
• Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
• UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Representative of an Overseas Business visa
• Service providers from Switzerland visa
• Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work)
• Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)
• Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)
• Religious Worker visa (Temporary Work)
• Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work)
• International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)

Before applying for a visa, you must check if you need one and what type you need. Your application must be approved before you travel.

UK work visas are usually tied to a specific job offer

The Skilled Worker visa is one of the most common work visas. To be eligible, you must meet several requirements, including having a job offer from an approved UK employer (also known as a sponsor), earning a minimum salary for the type of work you'll be doing, and having an occupation code that is eligible for this visa. The minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa is typically £38,700 per year, but it can be lower if you're extending your visa or have a new job or employer.

Other types of UK work visas include short-term and long-term work visas, entrepreneur and business start-up visas, and talent visas. Short-term work visas are typically for temporary work placements and last around six months to a year. Long-term work visas are valid for between two and five years and have higher requirement thresholds. Entrepreneur and business start-up visas are for individuals with new business ideas, while talent visas are for those who have been recognized as leaders in specific fields.

To apply for a UK work visa, you will usually need to provide a sponsorship reference number, evidence of personal savings, and tuberculosis test results if entering from certain countries. You will also need to submit biometric data and may need to provide additional documentation depending on the specific visa requirements. The cost of a UK work visa varies depending on the type and length of the visa, and you may also need to pay a healthcare surcharge to use NHS services in the UK.

Belizean citizens can stay in the UK for up to 6 months without a visa

Belizean citizens can stay in the UK for up to six months without a visa. However, they are not permitted to work or study in the UK without a valid permit.

Belizean citizens who wish to stay in the UK for longer than six months will need to apply for a visa. The type of visa required will depend on the purpose of the visit. For example, those seeking to work in the UK would need to apply for an employment visa, while students would need to apply for a student visa. The application process can take several months, so it is important to plan ahead.

To enter the UK, Belizean citizens must present a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond their intended period of stay. They may also need to demonstrate proof of sufficient funds and proof of onward or return travel.

It is important to note that visa requirements and exemptions may change over time, so Belizean citizens planning to travel to the UK should always check the latest advice from the UK government and the Belizean High Commission before finalising their travel plans.

Frequently asked questions