Belize's Dual Citizenship: Requirements And Benefits

Belize permits dual citizenship, as outlined in the Belize Constitution and Section 27 of the Constitution, amended in 2017. There are several ways to obtain citizenship in Belize, including by birth, descent, naturalization, and marriage. Each route has its own set of eligibility requirements and application procedures. Obtaining dual citizenship in Belize requires fulfilling the necessary conditions and understanding the specific regulations.

Citizenship by descent

Belize 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."

Who Qualifies for Citizenship by Descent?

According to the Belizean Nationality Act, you may qualify for citizenship by descent if:

• You were born outside of Belize and one of your parents is a citizen of Belize.
• You were born outside of Belize before Independence Day (21 September 1981) and one of your grandparents is a citizen of Belize.
• You are a woman who married a Belizean national before Independence Day (21 September 1981).

Application Process

To apply for citizenship by descent, you will need to gather the required documents, including:

• Your birth certificate.
• Evidence that you qualify for Belizean citizenship by descent.
• Original and copy of each document.

Once you have gathered the necessary documents, you can submit your application in person or through an authorized party. Applications can be made at any Immigration Office in Belize or at any Belizean diplomatic or consular mission.

After submitting your application, it will be vetted by the Nationality Department in accordance with the Belizean Nationality Act. You will be contacted about the outcome of your application.

Additional Requirements for Passport

If you are a citizen of Belize by descent and wish to obtain a Belizean passport, you must present proof of citizenship, such as:

• A birth certificate and naturalisation by descent documentation.
• Acceptable identity documents, such as a voter registration card or Social Security card.
• All current passport fees.

Citizenship by birth

The Belize Nationality Act, Chapter 161, Revised Edition 2000, Part III, states that:

> "Subject to the other provisions of this Part, a person born in Belize on or after the appointed date shall have the status of a citizen of Belize."

Belizean nationality law is regulated by the 1981 Constitution of Belize, as amended, and the Belizean Nationality Act, as revised. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a national of Belize. The laws also outline the process for acquiring Belizean citizenship by descent, which is available to children and grandchildren of Belize citizens.

To apply for citizenship by descent, individuals must gather the required documents, including their birth certificate and evidence that they qualify for Belizean citizenship by descent. Applications can be submitted in person or by an authorized party at any Immigration Office in Belize or at any Belizean diplomatic or consular mission. The application will then be vetted by the Nationality Department in accordance with the Belizean Nationality Act, and the applicant will be informed of the outcome.

It is important to note that Belize does not allow persons born aboard government aircraft or ships, or aircraft or ships registered in Belize, to be considered Belizean nationals. Additionally, those whose parents are nationals of a country at war with Belize or possess diplomatic immunity are not eligible for citizenship by birth.

Citizenship by marriage

A foreigner who marries a Belizean automatically gains residence status. However, to obtain citizenship, the foreign spouse must have lived in Belize for 1 year. The petitioner must prove that the marriage is bona fide, meaning it was not entered into solely for immigration benefits. Marriage-based citizenship petitions are investigated for marriage fraud, and penalties for marriage fraud can include prison, fines, deportation, and a lifetime ban from obtaining legal status.

Spousal applicants are granted at the discretion of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration, and applicants must confirm one year of residency. The Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161, states that for the purpose of the residency requirement, if any applicant marries a Belizean citizen, such an applicant shall be deemed to have been legally resident in Belize from the date of such marriage.

It is important to note that dual citizenship is permitted in Belize, as per Section 27 of the Constitution, amended in 2017.

Citizenship by naturalisation

To become a citizen of Belize, applicants must have also renounced any previous citizenship. They must apply for economic citizenship by registration. The application for citizenship usually takes six months to process, but it can take up to a year or more. It is important to ensure that all documents are in order before submitting the application and to check in regularly with the immigration department in Belmopan for reasonable time results.

The application process for permanent residency status and citizenship is similar to that of the Qualified Retired Persons Incentive Act. However, as a regular Belize permanent resident, there is no requirement to deposit a particular sum of money in a bank in Belize, and there is no need to make monthly cash deposits. Instead, applicants must show that they have sufficient financial resources to obtain residency status and that they will be able to support themselves. Applicants must also demonstrate that they have not been convicted of a criminal offence in any country for which they could have been sentenced to a year or more of imprisonment.

The cost of applying for permanent residency varies according to the applicant's country of origin. For example, citizens of the U.S. pay US$1,000, while Chinese Nationals (PRC) pay US$2,000. Once residency is granted, there is an additional fee of US$62.50 for a residency card. Applications for permanent residency are made to the Belize Immigration and Nationality Department.

Dual citizenship restrictions

Belize 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."

However, there are some restrictions to dual citizenship in Belize. Firstly, dual citizenship is prohibited for Belizean citizens by descent who have renounced their Belizean citizenship. Such individuals may apply to resume Belizean citizenship, but they must renounce the citizenship of any other country and demonstrate their intention to reside in Belize.

Additionally, dual citizenship is not permitted for Belizean citizens, either by descent or registration, who have pledged allegiance to or are citizens of a country that does not recognize the independence, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Belize.

It is important to note that the information provided may not be exhaustive, and specific details on dual citizenship restrictions in Belize may be obtained from official Belizean government sources or legal professionals specializing in citizenship matters.

To obtain dual citizenship in Belize, individuals must meet the requirements for citizenship outlined by the Belizean government. Here are the common ways to acquire Belizean citizenship:

• Citizenship by Birth: Individuals born in Belize, as well as children and grandchildren of Belize citizens, are entitled to citizenship. However, citizenship is not granted if the parent is a citizen of a country at war with Belize or has immunity from legal power in Belize.
• Citizenship by Descent: Children or grandchildren of at least one Belize citizen are entitled to citizenship by descent. An application for registration must be submitted in person at the Immigration and Nationality Department in Belmopan.
• Citizenship by Naturalization: Individuals who have lived in Belize as permanent residents for at least five years may apply for naturalization. They must also renounce their previous citizenship.
• Citizenship by Marriage: Foreign nationals who marry a citizen of Belize are eligible to register for citizenship. The foreign spouse must reside in Belize for at least one year before acquiring citizenship through marriage.

Frequently asked questions