Belize's Visitor Visa: The Gift Of Time

Belize is a beautiful country with sunny weather, crystal clear water, and breathtaking beaches. The country is known as the adventure capital of Central America for its wonderful adventures. Visitors to Belize 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. There is no entry fee for Belize, but there is a mandatory departure fee. Visitors must have a passport to enter, valid for at least 30 days after their arrival, and proof of intent to depart the country. Visas are not required for citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the Caribbean, and Central American countries.

Tourist visa requirements for US citizens

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Belize as a tourist. However, there are several requirements that US citizens must meet to gain entry to Belize. Here are the tourist visa requirements for US citizens:

Passport

US citizens must have a valid US passport to enter Belize. The passport must be valid for at least 30 days after their arrival in Belize.

Proof of Intent to Depart

All visitors to Belize, including US citizens, must provide proof of their intent to depart the country. This can include a return or onward ticket, such as an airline, bus, or cruise ship ticket.

Sufficient Funds

US citizens must also demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover the cost of their stay in Belize. The required amount is USD $75 per day.

Entry Fee

While there is no entry fee for Belize, there is a mandatory departure fee. The fee varies depending on whether you leave through the international airport or the land borders with Guatemala or Mexico. The airport exit fee is USD $73.50 for tourists, while the land border exit fee is USD $20.

Length of Stay

US citizens can stay in Belize for up to 30 days without a visa. If they wish to stay longer, they must obtain a Belize Visitor's Permit Extension from a local immigration office. This extension can be granted in one-month increments for up to six months, and each extension costs USD $100. For stays longer than six months, further documentation and additional fees may be required.

Visa-exempt countries

Visitors to Belize are generally granted a 30-day stay. However, citizens of certain countries are exempt from requiring a visa for entry and are allowed to remain in Belize for up to 30 days without obtaining a visa or extension.

Citizens of the following countries and territories do not need a visa to enter Belize:

• Member states of the European Union (EU)
• Caribbean Community Member States (CARICOM)
• United States of America and its territories
• Most Commonwealth countries

Most Commonwealth citizens can enter Belize without a visa, with the exception of some West African countries. It is always recommended to consult the appropriate embassy if your country is not listed.

Tourists from visa-exempt countries can obtain a Belize Visitor's Permit Extension in one-month increments for up to six months. This extension can be obtained from Belize immigration offices throughout the country for a fee of US$100 per 30-day period.

Visitor's permit extension

Visitors to Belize are typically granted a 30-day stay upon arrival. If you wish to remain in Belize for longer than 30 days, you will need to apply for a Visitor's Permit Extension. Here is some detailed information about the Visitor's Permit Extension:

Application Process:

To apply for the Visitor's Permit Extension, you must visit an immigration office in Belize after completing your initial 30-day stay. The extension is granted in one-month increments, allowing you to stay in Belize for an additional 30 days each time.

Fees:

The fee for the Visitor's Permit Extension is BZ$200 (Belize dollars) for all nationals. This fee is subject to change, so it is recommended to verify the current fee when applying.

Conditions:

The Visitor's Permit Extension comes with certain conditions that must be followed. Holders of the extension are not allowed to enter into any form of employment, paid or unpaid, and cannot engage in any business or profession without the consent of the Director of Immigration. It is important to adhere to these conditions to avoid any legal issues during your stay in Belize.

Visa Requirements:

If your visit to Belize exceeds 30 days and extends to 60, 90, or 180 days, you will be required to obtain a visa and the necessary extensions to remain legally in the country. The Visitor's Permit Extension can be granted to holders of a Belize visa, but it is important to check your eligibility with the nearest Immigration Office.

Long-Stay Options:

If you are considering a longer-term stay in Belize, there are additional options available, such as the Visitor Long Stay Permit, also known as the Digital Nomad Visa. This permit is valid for six months and is designed for citizens or permanent residents of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, or Canada. Applicants must have employment outside of Belize and meet minimum annual income requirements.

Long-stay permits

The Long Stay Visitor Permit, also known as the Digital Nomad Visa, is a permit granted to any person who intends to stay in Belize for a period not exceeding 6 months. The permit is valid for 6 months after the date of issue and costs US$500.

To qualify for a Long Stay Permit, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of the European Union, United Kingdom, United States of America, or Canada.
• Be employed outside of Belize.
• Have a minimum annual income of USD $75,000 if applying alone or USD $100,000 if applying with dependents.
• Provide proof of annual income through a job letter, proof of registration of business, and annual tax return, or a notarized banking reference and Statement of Account.
• Provide a police record from the applicant's country of residence, issued within six months of the application.
• Provide a certified copy of the bio-data page of the applicant's passport and certified copies of the bio-data pages of each dependent's passport (if applicable).
• If the applicant's nationality is not on the Approved Countries List, they must provide proof of residence in an approved country.
• Provide proof of travel insurance with a minimum health coverage of USD $50,000.

Dependents are defined as the spouse of the applicant, the child or stepchild of the applicant under the age of 18, or an adopted child under the age of 18. Any other person may also be certified as a dependent by a court order.

It is important to note that a Long Stay Permit cannot be extended or renewed, and holders of this permit are not allowed to engage in employment in Belize.

Permanent residence

To be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Belize, individuals must have stayed in the country for one year and have continuously paid legal residence fees. This is the easiest way to obtain permanent residency in Belize. The whole process can take up to a year to be reviewed and accepted. The cost of this program is close to a thousand dollars.

To be eligible for the Permanent Residency application, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have lived in Belize for at least one year and not left the country for more than 14 days during that time.
• Demonstrate to the Immigration Office that you are financially stable and will be able to continue to support yourself.
• Have not been convicted of a criminal offence in any country for which you could have been sentenced to a year or more of imprisonment and have not been granted a free pardon for that offence.

Application fees vary according to your country of origin, ranging from US $125 for citizens of Mexico and Guatemala to US$2,000 for Chinese Nationals. Citizens of the U.S. pay US$1,000, and most British Commonwealth country residents also pay US$1,000. CARICOM citizens pay US$250.

Once residency is granted, you pay a fee of US$62.50 for a residency card. You apply to the Belize Immigration and Nationality Department rather than through the Belize Tourism Board.

Citizenship (naturalized Belizean) is available for those permanent residents living in Belize for five years. With citizenship comes the right to obtain a Belizean passport. To acquire citizenship, applicants must have been a resident or have permanent residency status for a minimum of five years. After five years, permanent citizens submit an application for citizenship, and this is usually processed within 6 months.

Another way to obtain permanent residency in Belize is to obtain a work offer. Documents that must be shown include: 3 passport-sized pictures, an active passport, a job offer, salary, background check, education, and a resume that proves you can do the aforementioned job, and any other relevant document that might help with your application.

Frequently asked questions