Belize's Tropical Paradise: Understanding The Canadian Stay Limit

Canadians can stay in Belize for 30 days without a visa. After that, they can apply for a Visitor's Permit Extension in one-month increments for up to six months. This costs $100 for each 30-day period. Alternatively, they can apply for a Visitor Long Stay Permit, which costs $500 and is good for six months. This option is only available to those with a minimum annual income of $75,000, or $100,000 if applying with dependents.

Canadian citizens can stay in Belize for 30 days without a visa

If you are extending the tourist visa for any children, you may be asked to provide the original birth certificate for each child. It is also recommended that you have a completed visa extension form, proof of a purchased return airline ticket, and a current bank statement showing that you have the means to support yourself in Belize.

If you are a Canadian citizen and you want to stay in Belize for longer than 30 days, you will need to apply for a Visitor's Permit Extension or a Visitor Long Stay Permit. The former can be obtained from Belize immigration offices throughout the country and allows you to stay in the country for an additional 30 days. The latter costs $500 and is good for six months. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, or Canada, and must be employed outside of Belize with a minimum annual income of $75,000.

Canadians can apply for a Visitor Extension Permit to stay in Belize for an additional 30 days

Canadians can visit Belize without a visa and stay for up to 30 days. If they wish to stay longer, they must apply for a 'Belize Visitor's Permit Extension' at their nearest Immigration Office. This extension allows Canadians to stay in Belize for an additional 30 days. The Visitor's Permit Extension costs BZ$200 and can be obtained by those who hold a Belize visa.

To qualify for a Visitor's Permit Extension, Canadians must not engage in any form of employment, business, or profession without the consent of the Director of Immigration. They must also not remain in Belize beyond the expiration of their permit.

It is important to note that Canadians should carry valid identification at all times when in Belize and be aware of the high levels of violent crime throughout the country.

The Visitor Long Stay Permit allows Canadians to stay in Belize for six months

Canadians can stay in Belize for six months with the Visitor Long Stay Permit. This permit costs US$500 and is available to citizens or permanent residents of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, or Canada. Applicants must be employed outside Belize and have a minimum annual income of US$75,000 if applying alone, or US$100,000 if applying with dependents.

The Visitor Long Stay Permit allows Canadians to enter and remain in Belize with their dependents for a period not exceeding six months in any calendar year. The permit cannot be renewed, and those who fail to renew their visitor's permit before it expires are violating the law and may be deported. It is important to note that visitors with this permit are not allowed to engage in any employment in Belize.

The Visitor Long Stay Permit is one of three ways to obtain extended stays in Belize, the other two being the Visitor Extension Permit and Permanent Residency. The Visitor Extension Permit is a simpler process that allows visitors to extend their stay in Belize month by month. For US$100, visitors can obtain a one-month entry stamp on their passport when entering the country. After 30 days, they can request a Visitor's Permit Extension from an immigration office, allowing them to stay in the country for an additional 30 days. This process can be repeated multiple times, but visitors are not allowed to engage in any form of employment, paid or unpaid, during their stay.

On the other hand, Permanent Residency is a more complex process that requires applicants to have resided continuously in Belize for one year, spending no more than 14 days outside the country during that period. Applicants must also demonstrate continued financial stability and have no criminal convictions for which they could have been sentenced to 12 months or more in prison. The application process involves several steps, including interviews with immigration and police departments, and the submission of various documents such as medical certificates, proof of financial stability, and spouse and child documentation.

The Visitor Long Stay Permit offers Canadians a middle ground between the simpler month-to-month Visitor Extension Permit and the more complex and restrictive Permanent Residency option. It allows Canadians to stay in Belize for a more extended period of six months without the need for renewals while still maintaining the flexibility of being employed outside the country.

Canadians can apply for a Temporary Employment Permit to stay in Belize for up to one year

Canadians can stay in Belize for up to a year by applying for a Temporary Employment Permit, also known as a Work Permit. This visa allows Canadians to work for a specific employer in Belize for a period of up to one year. The process of obtaining this permit involves several steps and requirements that Canadians must be aware of.

Firstly, Canadians must submit their application at any Labour Department Office in Belize. It is important to note that employed individuals must have their employer make the submission on their behalf, while self-employed individuals must submit the application themselves. The application requirements include a valid passport, a valid Belize visa, and other relevant documents such as a police report and letters of recommendation.

Once the application is approved, the next step is to visit the nearest Immigration Office, where individuals will be informed about the temporary employment permit fees, which must be paid. Additionally, they will be directed to the nearest Belize Tax Service to request an Income Tax Letter. The final step is to present the valid passport, proof of payment, and Income Tax letter to the Immigration Office to receive the permit.

It is worth noting that Temporary Employment Permits are issued to individuals who fall under specific categories, including professional workers, technical workers, agricultural workers, self-employed workers, entertainers, religious workers, and more. The validity period and fees for the permit may vary depending on the profession of the applicant.

Canadians intending to stay in Belize for an extended period without working can also explore other options such as the Visitor Extension Permit, the Visitor Long Stay Permit, or the Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) Program. These options offer different benefits and requirements, catering to individuals with varying needs and circumstances.

Canadians can apply for Permanent Residency in Belize after residing in the country for one year

Canadians can stay in Belize for up to 30 days without a visa. After this, they can apply for a 30-, 60-, or 90-day extension for an indefinite period. If Canadians are planning on staying in Belize for longer than 30 days, they can request a 60- or 90-day extension for a cost of $100 for each 30-day period.

If Canadians are looking to stay in Belize for longer than a few months, they can apply for a Long Stay Permit, also known as a Digital Nomad Visa. This costs $500 and is valid for six months. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the EU, UK, USA, or Canada, and must be employed outside of Belize with a minimum annual income of $75,000 for a single applicant or $100,000 for an applicant with dependents.

For Canadians looking to make Belize their permanent home, they can apply for Permanent Residency after residing in the country for one year. This requires proof of financial stability, a clear criminal record, and two recommendations from individuals who have known the applicant for at least one year. These individuals can include ministers of religion, registered medical practitioners, attorneys at law, Heads of Government Departments, or Justices of the Peace. Applicants must also take an HIV test and submit a recent police certificate of no criminal convictions. The application fee for Permanent Residency for US nationals is $1,000 per person, but fees vary by nationality, ranging from $250 to $5,000.

Once an applicant has been approved for Permanent Residency, they can seek employment or work for themselves, move freely within the country, open a bank account, and travel in and out of Belize without restrictions. After five years of Permanent Residency, applicants can apply for full citizenship.

Frequently asked questions