Passport Card: Can I Travel To Belize?

If you're planning a trip to Belize, it's important to ensure that you have the correct documentation to enter the country. While the requirements may vary depending on your country of origin, here's an overview of the general entry requirements for Belize. Firstly, a passport is necessary for entry, and it should be valid for at least 30 days after your arrival. Along with your passport, you'll need proof of your intent to depart Belize, such as a return or onward ticket. Additionally, you must be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay. These requirements apply to visitors from North America, including the United States, who are exempt from visa requirements for stays of up to 30 days. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you'll need to obtain a ''Belize Visitor's Permit Extension' from an immigration office, and you may need to pay additional fees.

Visa requirements for Belize

Belize is a small country in Central America, famed for its mountain ranges, marine life and ancient Mayan temples. It is a popular tourist destination, with most major US cities just two to three hours away by plane.

Passport Requirements

All visitors to Belize must have a passport that is valid for at least 30 days after their arrival. This is a requirement for all nationalities. Visitors must also have a return ticket and sufficient funds to cover their stay.

Visa Requirements

If you are visiting Belize for under 30 days, you may not need a visa. Nationals from the following countries do not require a visa for Belize:

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• European Union
• Caribbean
• Central America

Citizens from other countries, such as India, Egypt and the Philippines, will need to apply for a visa to enter Belize. This can be done via a Belize consulate. There are two types of visa: sponsored and self-sponsored, each requiring a different set of documentation.

Visa Extensions

If you wish to extend your stay in Belize beyond 30 days, you will need to apply for a 'Belize Visitor's Permit Extension'. This allows you to extend your stay in one-month increments for up to six months. Each extension costs BZ$200.

Digital Nomad Visa

Belize has a special visa scheme for digital nomads, allowing citizens of the EU, UK, US and Canada to work remotely in the country for up to six months. To qualify, applicants without dependents must have a minimum annual income of US$75,000 and be employed outside Belize. Those with children must have a minimum annual income of US$100,000. This visa costs BZ$500 per adult and BZ$200 for children under 18.

Passport validity

To enter Belize, you must have a passport that is valid for the length of your stay. If you are visiting as a tourist, you can stay for up to 30 days without a visa. However, your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after your arrival. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you will need to visit a local immigration office to extend your stay and pay an additional fee for every additional month, up to six months. For visits longer than six months, you may need to provide further documentation to the local immigration office and may need to pay additional fees.

It is important to note that Belize has specific requirements for travelling with minors. If you are travelling with children, you may be asked by immigration officials to show birth certificates for each child. When children are not travelling with both parents, immigration officials often request documentation such as notarized letters from the parent(s), custody decrees, adoption papers, or death certificates to establish that the children have permission from both parents to travel.

Additionally, Belize has certain entry and exit requirements that you should be aware of. When entering Belize, you must provide proof of your intent to depart, such as a return or onward ticket. There is no entry fee, but there is a mandatory departure fee that varies depending on whether you leave through the international airport or land borders.

Proof of onward travel

To enter Belize, you must have a passport that is valid for at least 30 days after your arrival. US citizens do not need a visa to enter Belize, but they do need to provide proof of their intent to depart the country. This can be done by showing a return or onward ticket, such as an airline, bus, or cruise ship ticket.

If you are travelling to Belize, it is important to be aware of the country's high crime rate. Violent crimes such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder are common, even during the day and in tourist areas. It is recommended that travellers exercise caution, especially in the south side of Belize City and remote areas along the country's borders.

In addition to the proof of onward travel, there are other requirements and recommendations for entering Belize. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Visitors are typically allowed to stay in Belize for up to 30 days. For stays longer than 30 days, a "Belize Visitor's Permit Extension" is required, which can be obtained from immigration offices throughout the country.
• There is no entry fee for Belize, but there is a mandatory departure fee, which varies depending on whether you leave through the international airport or land borders.
• It is recommended to have a valid passport for at least 30 days after the intended period of stay.
• If travelling with children who are under 18 years old and without one or both parents, a notarized letter of parental consent is required.
• Belize has a Zika risk, so it is important to take precautions against mosquito bites.
• Road conditions in Belize vary, and driving at night is strongly discouraged due to poorly lit roads and a lack of roadside assistance.
• Taxis are prevalent in cities but less common in rural areas, and ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are not available.

Temporary importation permits

Visitors driving or boating into Belize must secure a temporary importation permit at their point of entry from Mexico or Guatemala. Vehicle and vessel permits are valid for 30 days and must be extended every 30 days.

The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) is responsible for issuing sanitary and phyto-sanitary certificates for exports. Import permits from BAHA are required for certain foodstuffs, live animals, plant and plant materials, and veterinary vaccines. BAHA also requires phyto-sanitary and zoo-sanitary certificates, health-risk analysis documentation, and certificates of origin for animals and certain plant materials.

Some goods require approval of an import license from the Supplies Control Unit (SCU) of the Ministry of Economic Development, Commerce, Industry and Consumer Protection. The procedure does not require licensing fees or administrative charges. Licenses are granted for each shipment and cannot be transferred between importers. There are no restrictions on the number of licenses that can be issued to a single importer.

Belize's Customs and Excise Department oversees the importation and exportation of goods in Belize. The Belize Customs and Excise Duty Act, Customs Regulation Act, Exchange Control Regulation Act, and Produce Export Duty Act are the main laws governing imports and exports in Belize.

Customs duties and taxes are collected based on the transaction value, which is derived from the value stated on the invoice, receipt, or other proof of purchase. A General Sales Tax (GST) of 12.5% is chargeable on both imports and domestically produced goods and services. An Environmental Tax of 2% is levied on all goods imported to Belize.

Belize Visitor's Permit Extension

To enter Belize, a passport valid for at least 30 days after arrival and proof of intent to depart the country, such as a return ticket, are required. A visa is not required for citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, the Caribbean, and Central American countries, among others. Tourists are given a 30-day stay, after which a Belize Visitor's Permit Extension can be applied for in one-month increments for up to six months.

The Belize Visitor's Permit Extension allows visitors to stay in the country for an additional 30 days. The extension is granted on the condition that the holder does not engage in any form of employment or business without the consent of the Director of Immigration. The fee for the Visitor's Permit Extension is BZ$200 for all nationals.

To obtain a Visitor's Permit Extension, visit your nearest Belize immigration office. The extension can be obtained for US$100 for every 30-day period, for up to six months.

It is important to note that visitors who require a visa after a predefined number of days in Belize must acquire that visa before being issued a Visitor's Permit Extension. The eligibility criteria for a Belize visa application include clearly stating the purpose of the visit, the intended duration of the stay, proof of financial resources, and any permits for the next country of destination.

Frequently asked questions