Americans In Belize: Getting Local Citizenship

There are several ways for American citizens to obtain citizenship in Belize. One way is through marriage to a Belizean citizen, which requires one year of residency in Belize. Another way is to obtain permanent residency status and maintain it for a minimum of five years. This can be done through the Qualified Retired Person Incentive Program (QRP), which grants resident visas to individuals aged 45 or older with a certain level of income. After obtaining permanent residency, one can apply for citizenship. It is important to note that US citizens are not required to renounce their previous nationality to become a citizen of Belize, as dual citizenship is recognized.

Citizenship by descent

To gain citizenship in Belize, you must meet one of the criteria outlined in the Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161. One of these criteria is citizenship by descent.

Who Qualifies for Citizenship by Descent?

• Were born outside of Belize and have one parent who is a citizen of Belize.
• Were born outside of Belize before 21 September 1981 (Belize's Independence Day) and have one grandparent who is a citizen of Belize.
• Are a woman who married a Belizean man before 21 September 1981.

How to Apply for Citizenship by Descent

The application process for citizenship by descent in Belize is as follows:

• Gather the required documents, including your birth certificate and evidence that you qualify for Belizean citizenship by descent.
• Submit your application in person or through an authorized party at any immigration office in Belize or at any Belizean diplomatic or consular mission.
• Your application will be vetted by the Nationality Department in accordance with the Belizean Nationality Act.
• You will be contacted and informed of the outcome of your application.

Citizenship through marriage

To obtain Belizean citizenship through marriage, non-Belizean nationals must be married to a Belizean citizen for a minimum of one year. This applies whether the Belizean spouse was born in Belize or acquired citizenship before the time of marriage.

To apply for citizenship, you must submit the following documents:

• Citizenship Application Form: All sections of the form must be completed.
• Marriage Certificate: If you were married in Belize, you must present a marriage certificate issued by the Vital Statistics Unit. If you were married outside of Belize, your marriage certificate must be authenticated or apostilled by the issuing authority.
• Spouse's Proof of Belizean Citizenship: This can be in the form of a Belizean birth certificate, Belizean Nationality Certificate, Voter's Identification Card, or Social Security Card.
• Valid Passport: You must present a valid passport from your country of origin.
• Police Record: You must submit a police record from Belize or the country where you have resided for the past six months or more. The police record is only valid for six months from the date of issue.
• Medical Certificate and Tests: You and your spouse must submit an individual Preliminary Medical Examination Form signed and stamped by a Licensed Medical Practitioner in Belize, as well as HIV and VDRL tests performed by a medical laboratory in Belize.
• Referees' Identification: You are required to identify two Belizeans who will serve as references and have known you for a minimum of one year. They must provide proof of identification in the form of a Voter's Identification Card, Birth Certificate, or Social Security Card.
• Declaration of Renunciation: Only Indian Nationals are required to submit a Declaration of Renunciation of Citizenship.
• Letter of Financial Support: Women who are dependent on their spouse must provide a letter of financial support completed and signed by their husband.

It is important to note that all documents must be in English, and any documents in other languages must be translated by a proper authority and signed. Additionally, the applicant's signature on the forms must be consistent with the signature on their passport.

Citizenship by registration

To obtain Belizean citizenship through registration, you must meet the following requirements:

Citizenship for Permanent Residence Holders

To qualify for citizenship, you must have held permanent resident status in Belize for at least five years. During this time, you must not have resided outside Belize for periods exceeding thirty consecutive days or accumulating to a total of three months in any twelve-month period. Extended travel for employment in Belize or medical and health reasons may be considered for qualification.

Citizenship through Marriage

You must be married to a Belizean national for at least one year, regardless of whether your spouse was born in Belize or acquired citizenship before the marriage.

Citizenship by Descent

If you were born outside of Belize, one of your parents must be a citizen of Belize. Alternatively, if you were born before Independence Day (21st September 1981), one of your grandparents must be a Belize citizen. Additionally, if you are a woman married to a Belizean husband before Independence Day, you may qualify for citizenship.

Application Process for Citizenship by Registration:

• Gather the required documents, including evidence of permanent residence or marriage and any other supporting documents.
• Submit your application at any authorised Immigration Office in Belize or a Belizean diplomatic mission.
• Attend an interview with Immigration, typically scheduled within two weeks of submission. Bring your passport and acceptance receipt, and ensure your referees accompany you with their identification.
• Await notification of the approval of your application by the Nationality Department, in accordance with the Belizean Nationality Act.
• Upon approval, make a payment of BZ$300.00 at an Immigration Office.
• Attend the swearing-in ceremony, where you will receive your Belize Nationality Certificate. Bring your proof of payment and passport to this ceremony.

Citizenship for permanent residence holders

To obtain citizenship in Belize, permanent residence holders must meet the following requirements:

Time Requirements

Firstly, you must have held permanent residence status in Belize for a minimum of five years. During this time, you must have resided in Belize continuously, without residing outside the country for periods exceeding thirty consecutive days or accumulating to a total of three months in any twelve-month period. Short-term absences from the country for employment or medical reasons may be considered.

Documentation

When applying for citizenship, you will need to submit the following documents:

• Nationality Application Form
• Proof of Permanent Residence (either a Permanent Residence Card or stamp in your passport)
• Medical Certificate and HIV and VDRL Tests
• Identification of two Belizean referees who have known you for a minimum of five years
• Declaration of Renunciation (only required for Indian nationals)
• Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• Birth Certificate (if there are inconsistencies with your name, sex, date of birth, or place of birth on other documents)
• Passports held since acquiring Permanent Residence status
• Individual police record from Belize for applicants aged 12 years and above

Other Requirements

In addition to the time requirements and documentation, there are a few other conditions that must be met:

• All sections of the application form must be completed.
• Spouses and children must also meet the permanent residence requirement and submit their passports.
• The medical certificate must be completed by a Licensed Medical Practitioner in Belize and include the required tests.
• Referees must provide proof of identification in the form of a Voter's Identification Card or Birth Certificate and Social Security Card.

It is important to note that Guatemalan nationals do not qualify for Belizean citizenship through registration. Additionally, dual citizenship is recognized in Belize, so you are not required to renounce your previous nationality unless you plan to take a high government office or join the Belizean military.

Citizenship by investment

Belize does not have a formal citizenship by investment program, but foreign nationals can become citizens through the process of registration. Here are the steps and requirements to obtain citizenship in Belize through investment:

Step 1: Temporary Residence

First, you must obtain temporary residence in Belize. To do this, you need to make a minimum investment in Belize of 500,000 Belize dollars (BZD) or USD500,000. This investment must be maintained for at least one year, and you will need to provide adequate proof and valuation of the investment. During this first year, you cannot leave Belize for more than 14 days, and you must not be convicted of any criminal offence punishable by more than 12 months' imprisonment.

Step 2: Permanent Residence

After one year of maintaining your investment and fulfilling the residence requirements, you can apply for permanent residence. To do so, you will need to submit additional documentation, including a valid passport, a police record, proof of financial means, a medical certificate, and photographs. The fees for permanent residence applications depend on your nationality and range from BZD1,000 to BZD6,000.

Step 3: Maintain Permanent Residence for Five Years

To qualify for citizenship, you must maintain your permanent resident status in Belize for at least five years. During these five years, you cannot be absent from Belize for more than 30 consecutive days or three cumulative months in any twelve-month period. Extended travel for medical, health, or employment reasons may be acceptable.

Step 4: Apply for Citizenship

After fulfilling the residence requirements, you may apply for citizenship in Belize. The application process typically takes around six months. The specific documents required for the citizenship application include:

• Original or certified copy of birth certificate
• Original or certified copy of marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Police clearance certificate
• Certified copy of valid passport
• Proof of local income
• Four recent photographs
• Bank reference letter (no older than six months)

It's important to note that the process of obtaining citizenship in Belize through investment can take several years due to the residence requirements. Additionally, while there is no minimum investment amount required to maintain your status, you should be prepared to cover living expenses and other associated costs during your time in Belize.

Frequently asked questions