The Ultimate Guide To Tourist Visas For Belize

If you're planning a trip to Belize, you may not need a tourist visa if you're staying for 30 days or less. However, it's important to note that this exemption only applies to certain nationalities, including citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and some other countries. To be sure, it's recommended to check with the Belize Immigration Department or visit their website. If your trip is longer than 30 days, you will need to apply for a Belize entry visa and possibly a Visitor's Permit Extension. The application process requires a completed form, a passport-size photograph, a copy of your bank statement, a letter of employment, and a copy of your itinerary.

Do I need a visa for Belize?

The short answer is: it depends. If you're visiting Belize for under 30 days, you may not need a visa. However, this depends on your nationality and the type of passport you hold.

Who doesn't need a visa for Belize?

Citizens of the following countries do not require a visa to enter Belize:

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

Additionally, travellers with valid multiple-entry visas or Permanent Residence Cards from the United States, Canada, or the Schengen area may not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days.

Who needs a visa for Belize?

Citizens of certain countries, including India, Egypt, and the Philippines, do require a visa to enter Belize. The specific requirements and fees vary depending on your nationality. For example, citizens of China need to pay BZ$3000 for a single-entry visa, while citizens of India, Nepal, and Thailand pay BZ$750.

Regardless of your nationality, there are some standard requirements for obtaining a Belize visa:

• A completed application form, signed by the applicant
• A passport-size photograph
• A copy of your bank statement
• A letter of employment (if applicable)
• A copy of your flight itinerary
• A valid passport with at least 6 months' validity

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 stay for an additional 30 days, which you can reapply for as many times as needed, at a cost of BZ$200 each time.

How long can I stay without a visa?

The length of your visa-free stay in Belize depends on your nationality. If you are a citizen of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the Caribbean, or Central American countries, you can stay in Belize for up to 30 days without a visa. This exemption also applies to holders of valid multiple-entry visas or Permanent Residence Cards from the United States, Canada, and the Schengen area.

For visits longer than 30 days, you will need to obtain a Belize Visitor's Permit Extension from an Immigration Office. The permit allows you to extend your stay in Belize for an additional 30 days, and you will need to reapply for the extension every 30 days. The fee for each extension is BZ$200.

It is important to note that your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after your arrival in Belize and you must have a return ticket and sufficient funds to cover your stay.

What documents do I need to enter Belize?

To enter Belize, you will need a passport that is valid for at least 30 days after your arrival, as well as proof of your intent to depart the country, such as a return or onward ticket. You must also have sufficient funds to cover the cost of your stay. If you are driving or boating into Belize from Guatemala or Mexico, you will need to secure a temporary importation permit at your point of entry. These permits are valid for 30 days.

If you are visiting Belize as a tourist, you do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days. If you plan to stay longer, you will need to visit a local immigration office to apply for a 'Belize Visitor's Permit Extension'. This permit is granted in one-month increments for up to six months. After this, you may need to provide further documentation to the local immigration office explaining the reason for your extended stay, and you may need to pay additional fees.

If you are being sponsored, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A letter of financial support, signed by a Justice of the Peace and accompanied by a $1.50 Belize postage stamp
• Your sponsor's identification
• Proof of kinship, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate
• An invitation letter from your sponsor, stating the purpose and duration of your visit, as well as your relationship with them
• An employment letter issued within the last six months, stating employer details, monthly salary and period of employment
• Banking financials showing the last six months of transactions

How do I apply for a Belize visa?

The application process for a Belize visa depends on your nationality and the type of visa you require. Citizens of some countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, and the EU, do not need a visa to enter Belize for stays of 30 days or less. However, if you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you will need to apply for a Belize Visitor's Permit Extension.

If you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to enter Belize, such as India, Egypt, or the Philippines, you will need to apply for a visa through a Belize consulate. There are two main categories of visas: sponsored and self-sponsored. Each type of visa requires a different set of documents. For specific details on the required documents, visit the Belize immigration website.

The general documents you will need to apply for a Belize visa include:

• A completed and signed application form
• A passport-size photograph
• A copy of your bank statement
• A letter of employment (if applicable)
• A copy of your flight itinerary
• A valid passport with at least six months' validity

Additionally, if you are being sponsored, you will need the following documents:

• A Letter of Financial Support from your sponsor, signed by a Justice of the Peace and accompanied by a $1.50 Belize postage stamp
• Your sponsor's identification, such as a valid Belizean passport, Voter's Identification Card, or Social Security Card
• Documentation that proves your kinship with the sponsor, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate
• An invitation letter from your sponsor, stating the purpose of your visit, the duration of your stay, and your relationship to the sponsor
• Employment letters for both you and your sponsor, issued within the last six months, stating employer details, monthly salary, and period of employment
• Banking financials for both you and your sponsor, showing the last six months of transactions

The processing time for visas is approximately 30 business days, and the visa fees vary depending on your citizenship. For example, for a single-entry visa valid for six months, citizens from China pay BZ$3000, while citizens from India, Nepal, and Thailand pay BZ$750. All other nationals pay BZ$200.

What are the costs of a Belize visa?

The cost of a Belize visa depends on several factors, including the duration of your stay, your country of citizenship, and whether you are self-sponsored or sponsored by a Belizean entity or individual. Here is a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with obtaining a Belize visa:

Visa Costs for Stays of 30 Days or Less

For many nationalities, including citizens of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, a valid passport is the only requirement for stays of up to 30 days in Belize, and no visa is needed. However, visitors must also provide proof of an onward or return ticket and demonstrate sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay (a minimum of USD $75 per day is recommended). There is no entry fee, but there is a departure tax ranging from USD $30 to $60.

Visa Costs for Stays Longer than 30 Days

If you plan to stay in Belize longer than 30 days, you will need to obtain a Belize Visitor's Permit Extension from an Immigration Office. The fee for this extension is BZD $200 for each additional 30 days of your stay, and you will need to reapply every 30 days.

Visa Costs for Specific Nationalities

The cost of a single-entry visa varies depending on your citizenship. For instance, citizens of China pay BZD $3000 for a single-entry visa valid for six months, while citizens of India, Nepal, Thailand, and a few other nations pay BZD $750. All other nationalities pay BZD $200 for the same visa.

Visa Costs for Sponsored and Self-Sponsored Applicants

Belize visas fall into two categories: sponsored and self-sponsored. Sponsored applicants must provide a Letter of Financial Support from their sponsor, along with the sponsor's identification and other relevant documents. The Letter of Financial Support must be signed by a Justice of the Peace and accompanied by a BZD $1.50 postage stamp. Self-sponsored applicants, on the other hand, need to provide their own financial documentation, such as bank statements and proof of employment.

Visa Application Fee

Regardless of the visa type and duration, there is a visa application fee to be paid. The fee for a single-entry, 90-day visa is USD $50, plus USD $30 for shipping and handling. The total cost is USD $80. There is also a mention of a USD $100 fee option, but it is unclear if this is for a different type of visa.

Frequently asked questions