Belize Working Card: Application And Requirements

Belize offers a range of visa and residency options ,including a Temporary Employment Permit (or Work Permit) for those who want to work in the country. This visa allows you to stay in Belize for up to a year and work for a specific employer. To apply for a Temporary Employment Permit, you must already be residing in Belize and have a valid passport and Belize visa. The application is submitted at any Labour Department Office, and if you are self-employed, you will need to complete the application yourself. The process involves several steps, including approval from the Labour Department, a visit to the Immigration Office, and obtaining a Social Security card.

Requirements for permanent residency

To obtain permanent residency in Belize, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have lived in Belize for at least one year, with no more than 14 days spent outside the country during that time.
• Demonstrate financial stability and the ability to support yourself.
• Have not been convicted of any criminal offence in any country, for which you could have been sentenced to a year or more of imprisonment, and have not received a pardon for that offence.

The application process for permanent residency in Belize involves the following steps:

• Submit the required Permanent Residency Application form, available from the Immigration and Nationality Department in the City of Belmopan.
• Take an HIV test and submit the results.
• Provide a recent police certificate of no criminal convictions.
• Submit two recommendations from individuals who have known you for at least one year, such as ministers of religion, registered medical practitioners, attorneys-at-law, Heads of Government Departments, or Justices of the Peace.
• Attend an interview with the Immigration Department.
• Attend an interview with the Police Department.
• Receive notification of approval and pay the applicable fees, which vary depending on nationality (ranging from US$250 to $5,000). US nationals pay US$1,000 per person.
• Collect your residency card.

It's important to note that the process can take a year or longer, and there will be no communication regarding the status of your application during this time.

Temporary residence options

Belize offers two types of residence status: permanent residence and temporary residence.

Temporary residence is for people who have made or are in the process of making a substantial commercial investment in Belize but cannot meet the ordinary permanent residence restrictions due to commitments outside of Belize.

To apply for temporary residence, you must show evidence of investments in Belize valued at no less than BZ$500,000 (approximately $250,000). This can be a real estate investment, or you can buy a simple condominium or raw land. Alternatively, you can invest in a business. There is no fixed sector to invest in; you can invest in tourism, agriculture, etc. This option allows you to live, work, and conduct investments and business in Belize.

You don't need to visit Belize to file this application. A lawyer can deal with the whole process with power of attorney. The basic legal fee is $1,535, plus 12.5% general sales tax (GST) and additional disbursements/costs. You will also need to provide the following documentation:

• A valid passport from the foreign country of which the applicant is a citizen
• A police record issued by your last country of residence, dated no more than six months before the time of the application
• A letter to the Immigration Office Director explaining why you are requesting temporary residence
• Evidence of a primary place of residence in Belize, such as a rental/lease agreement and utility bill or a property title and property tax statement

The application process can take up to six months or more, as it depends on obtaining a security clearance. Upon approval of the application, there is a temporary residence fee that needs to be paid before receiving the permit. This fee is due annually upon the renewal date and varies depending on the nationality of the applicant.

Another option for temporary residence is the Visitor Long Stay Permit, also known as the Digital Nomad Visa. This costs $500 and is valid 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 (or $100,000 if applying with dependents). This permit does not allow the holder to engage in employment in Belize and cannot be renewed.

A third option is the Temporary Employment Permit, also referred to as a "Work Permit." This visa allows you to remain in Belize for up to one year and work for a specific employer. The application process is a three-step process and can be completed online at the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government. A long list of documents must be submitted, including a police report from your local law enforcement agency. Once the application is approved, you will receive a letter detailing the next steps, which include paying the work permit fee (usually $1,500) and receiving a special endorsement in your passport. The final step is to visit your local Belize Social Security office and apply for a social security card.

The Qualified Retirement Program

Requirements:

• Age: The applicant must be at least 45 years old (soon to be changed to 40 years old).
• Income: The applicant must demonstrate a monthly retirement income of at least $2,000. This income must be generated from a source outside of Belize and in an approved foreign currency (US Dollar, Pound Sterling, Euro, or Canadian Dollar).
• Dependents: Dependents include a spouse and children under 18 years old. Children above 18 and up to 23 years old can be included if they are enrolled in a university.
• Security Clearance: Applicants must pass a security clearance check carried out by the Ministry of National Security in Belize.
• Minimum Stay: Applicants must remain in Belize for a minimum of 30 consecutive days annually to maintain their status.

Application Process:

The application requirements for the QRP include:

• Application Form: Completed, signed, and dated for the applicant and each dependent.
• Birth Certificate: Notarized or certified copy for the applicant and each dependent.
• Marriage Certificate: Notarized or certified copy.
• Police Record: Original police record or certificate no older than 6 months from the last place of residence for the applicant and each dependent.
• Passport Pages: Notarized or certified copy of the complete valid passport, including all blank pages, for the applicant and each dependent.
• Proof of Income: Certificate or document showing the applicant as the recipient of retirement income amounting to a minimum of $2,000 per month from a source outside of Belize.
• Bank Statement: Original or certified copy of international financial statements exhibiting the deposit of the required sum.
• Written Undertaking: A letter signed by the applicant stating their commitment to deposit the requisite funds into a local domestic financial institution in Belize.
• Medical Certificate: Original certificate or lab report of a complete physical medical examination, including HIV test results, no older than 3 months, required for the applicant and each dependent.
• Passport Photos: Two 2"x2" frontal passport photos for the applicant and each dependent (one notarized/certified and one unnotarized/uncertified of the same image).

Fees:

• Application Program Fee: US$150 per application.
• Applicant Fee: US$1000.
• Dependent Fee: US$750.
• QRP ID Card Fee: US$200 per card.
• QRP ID Card Renewal Fee: US$25 annually.

Benefits:

The QRP offers a range of benefits to its members, including:

• Belize Residency Status: QRPs and their dependents receive a QRP Resident Card, allowing multiple entries into Belize without a visa.
• Duty Exemptions: QRPs are entitled to import duty and tax exemptions on household and personal effects, motor vehicles (models within the last 5 years), and light aircraft during the first year of acceptance into the program.
• Tax Exemptions: QRPs are exempted from all taxes and duties on income received from outside Belize, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax.
• Land Purchase: QRPs are entitled to purchase land for the construction of a home or buy a home for residential use.
• Business Opportunities: QRPs can carry out business in Belize with the approval of the BTB if they meet specific criteria, including investing a minimum of 1 million Belize dollars and employing at least five Belizean citizens.
• Permanent Residency: After five years as a QRP, individuals can become eligible for permanent residency in Belize.

The QRP is a popular option for retirees, expatriates, and individuals looking to relocate to Belize, offering an efficient path to foreign residency and a range of incentives to its members.

Applying for a work permit

Step 1: Online Application

The first step is to apply online at the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government. If you are seeking employment with a company, they will be responsible for submitting the application on your behalf. However, if you are self-employed, you will need to complete the application yourself. Regardless of who fills out the application, a long list of documents must be submitted. These documents vary depending on the applicant's situation and the type of job the work permit is being requested for. One important document to note is a police report from your local law enforcement agency, which should be obtained before travelling to Belize.

Step 2: Application Approval

Once your application has been submitted and approved, you will receive a letter detailing the next steps to take before proceeding to your local immigration office. It is advisable to call the immigration office in advance to ensure they have received a copy of the approval letter.

Step 3: Visit the Immigration Office

At the immigration office, you will be informed about the work permit fee, which is typically $1,500, and they will add a special endorsement to your passport, allowing you to work in Belize for up to one year. This permit is only valid for the specific employer it was issued for. If you change employers, a new application must be submitted. After obtaining the permit, visit the local Belize Social Security office to apply for a social security card, which will serve as proof of your eligibility to work in Belize.

Citizenship by descent

To apply for citizenship by descent, you must submit an Application for Registration, which can be obtained from any Belize embassy or consulate. The application must be presented in person at the Immigration and Nationality Department in the City of Belmopan, Belize.

The application process consists of three steps:

• Gather the required documents, including your birth certificate and evidence that you qualify for Belizean citizenship by descent. Both original and copy versions of these documents are required.
• Submit the application in person or through an authorised 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, and you will be contacted regarding the outcome.

It is important to note that only Indian and Guatemalan nationals are required to submit a Declaration of Renunciation of Citizenship when applying for citizenship by descent.

Frequently asked questions