Belize Citizenship: Marry Your Way To A New Country

If you're looking to gain Belizean citizenship through marriage, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, according to the Belizean Nationality Act, your marriage must have lasted for a minimum of one year, and your spouse can be either a Belizean by birth or someone who acquired citizenship before your marriage. As the spouse of a Belizean citizen, you automatically gain residency status, and after one year of residency, you can apply for citizenship. However, it's important to note that you'll need to provide various documents, including a marriage certificate, and you may also be required to submit to medical examinations and provide proof of financial stability.

Marriage requirements

To obtain Belizean citizenship by marriage, you must be married to a Belizean national for a minimum of one year. It does not matter if your spouse was born in Belize or acquired citizenship before the time of marriage. As a foreigner who marries a Belizean, you automatically gain residency status.

Both Belize citizens and Legal Permanent Residents can file immigrant petitions for their foreign-born spouses. The petitioner must prove that the marriage is bona fide, meaning it was not entered into solely for immigration benefits. Marriage fraud is a serious offence and can result in prison, fines, deportation, and a lifetime ban from obtaining legal status.

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

• Citizenship Application Form (all sections must be completed)
• 4 passport-size photos with specifications of 2 x 2 inches
• Marriage Certificate (issued by the Vital Statistics Unit if married in Belize, or authenticated/apostilled by the issuing authority if married outside of Belize)
• Divorce decree or death certificate if previously divorced or widowed
• Spouse's proof of Belizean citizenship (Belizean birth certificate, Belizean identification card, Belize Nationality Certificate, Voter's Identification Card, or Social Security Card)
• Valid passport from the country of origin
• Police record from Belize or the country where you have resided for the past 6 months or more (valid for 6 months from the date of issue)
• Medical Certificate and Tests (completed by a Licensed Medical Practitioner in Belize, including HIV and VDRL tests)
• 2 references from Belizeans who have known your spouse for a minimum of 1 year, along with their proof of identification (Voter's Identification Card, Birth Certificate, or Social Security Card)
• Declaration of Renunciation of Citizenship (only required for Indian Nationals)
• Letter of Financial Support (required for women who are dependent on their spouse)

All documents must be in English or translated and signed by a proper authority. Chinese and Taiwanese translations must be authenticated by the Regional Language Centre at the University of Belize. Documents must be in good condition, legible, and hold a period of six months' validity prior to submission.

Application process

To apply for Belize citizenship by marriage, you must be married to a Belizean national for a minimum of one year. This can be someone who was born in Belize or who acquired citizenship before the time of your marriage.

The application process for citizenship by marriage is as follows:

• Complete the Citizenship Application Form: All sections of the application form must be completed, and if your spouse is also applying for citizenship, they must also submit their own application form.
• Provide Proof of Marriage: You must present your marriage certificate. If you were married in Belize, this should be the 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.
• Provide Spouse's Proof of Belizean Citizenship: This can include your spouse's Belizean birth certificate, a Belizean identification card (such as a Voter's Identification Card or Social Security Card), or a Belize Nationality Certificate.
• Submit Valid Passport: You must present a valid passport from your country of origin.
• Provide 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 must be valid for six months from the date of issue.
• Complete Medical Requirements: Submit a Medical Certificate referring to the Preliminary Medical Examination Form, which must be completed by a Licensed Medical Practitioner in Belize and signed and stamped by the examining physician. Additionally, HIV and VDRL tests must be submitted by the applicant.
• Provide 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, such as a Voter's Identification Card or Birth Certificate and Social Security Card.
• Declaration of Renunciation: This requirement varies depending on your current citizenship. Only Indian Nationals are required to submit a Declaration of Renunciation of their current citizenship.
• Letter of Financial Support: If applicable, women who are dependent on their spouse must provide a letter of financial support completed and signed by their husband.
• Submit Photographs: Four passport-size photographs with specific size specifications must be submitted.

Please note that additional requirements and supporting documents may be needed, and it is recommended to consult the Belize Immigration and Nationality Department for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information.

Supporting documents

The following supporting documents are required for an application for citizenship by marriage in Belize:

• Citizenship Application Form: All sections of the application form must be completed.
• Citizenship Form: This depends on the specific circumstances of the applicant. For instance, if the marriage took place in Belize, the form is Section 10. If the marriage took place outside Belize, the form is Section 11.
• Passport-size photos: Four photos need to be submitted, with specifications of 2 x 2 inches.
• Proof of Belizean Citizenship: This can be in the form of a Belizean birth certificate and a photo identification card, such as a Voter's Identification Card or Social Security Card. Alternatively, a Belize Nationality Certificate and a photo identification card can be provided.
• Valid passport from the country of origin.
• Police record: This is required from Belize or the country where the applicant has resided for the past 6 months or more. The police record is only valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
• Medical Certificate and Tests: The Preliminary Medical Examination Form needs to be completed by a Licensed Medical Practitioner in Belize and signed and stamped by the examining physician. The applicant must also submit HIV and VDRL tests performed by a medical laboratory in Belize.
• Referees' Identification: Two Belizeans who have known the applicant's spouse for a minimum of 1 year and can 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.
• Marriage Certificate: If the marriage took place in Belize, the certificate issued by the Vital Statistics Unit is required. If the marriage occurred outside Belize, the marriage certificate must be authenticated or apostilled by the issuing authority.
• Divorce or death certificate: If either party was previously divorced or widowed, provide the relevant certificate.
• 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 original documents must be presented along with copies, and supporting documents must be in good condition and legible. Documents in languages other than English must be translated by a proper authority, signed, and, for Chinese and Taiwanese nationals, authenticated at the Regional Language Centre, University of Belize.

Citizenship timeline

Permanent Residency

First, you must obtain permanent residency in Belize. This requires you to have lived in Belize for at least one year without leaving the country for more than 14 days in total. You must also demonstrate financial stability and a clean criminal record. The application fees range from US$125 to US$2,000 depending on your country of origin. Once residency is granted, you pay a fee of US$62.50 for a residency card.

Marriage

After obtaining permanent residency, you can marry a Belizean citizen. This can be done either before or after the granting of residency, as a foreigner who marries a Belizean automatically gains residency status. If married in Belize, you must present a marriage certificate issued by the Vital Statistics Unit. If married outside of Belize, the marriage certificate must be authenticated or apostilled by the issuing authority.

Citizenship Application

After being married and residing in Belize for at least one year, you can apply for citizenship. This process usually takes around one year but can take longer, so it is important to ensure that all documents are in order before submitting the application. The application must be made to the Belize Immigration and Nationality Department.

Supporting Documents

Along with the citizenship application form, you must submit several supporting documents, including:

• Four passport-size photos with specific size specifications
• Proof of permanent residence (residency card or stamp in passport)
• Valid passport from the country of origin
• Police record from Belize (valid for six months from the date of issue)
• Medical Certificate and HIV and VDRL tests performed by a licensed medical practitioner in Belize
• Identification of two Belizean references who have known the applicant for a minimum of one year and can provide proof of identification
• Declaration of Renunciation (only required for Indian Nationals)
• Letter of Financial Support (required for women who are dependent on their spouse)

Processing and Approval

The citizenship application is usually processed within six months to one year. Once approved, you will be granted Belizean citizenship and will have the right to obtain a Belizean passport. With citizenship, you are free to come and go from the country as you wish and even relocate permanently to any country you desire.

Benefits of citizenship

Belizean citizenship comes with several benefits, including the right to obtain a Belizean passport, which allows for visa-free travel to several countries and territories. Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), so Belizean passport holders can travel to 15 Caribbean nations and dependencies without a visa. This includes countries such as Mexico, Venezuela, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, the Cayman Islands, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and most of Central and South America. Additionally, UK visa requirements are waived for Belizean citizens.

Another benefit of citizenship is the freedom to come and go from Belize as you wish, or even relocate permanently to another country. Obtaining citizenship also means that any children under the age of 18 that you have are entitled to become Belizean citizens, regardless of their place of birth.

Belize also permits dual citizenship. The Belize Constitution states that a "citizen of Belize by birth or descent who acquires the citizenship of any other country may, if the laws of the other country so permit and at his option, retain his citizenship of Belize." This means that becoming a Belizean citizen does not necessarily require giving up your previous citizenship.

Furthermore, Belize has one of the best retirement packages globally, with benefits such as duty-free import of personal items, tax exemptions, and the ability to buy new vehicles every three years without paying duties.

Frequently asked questions